Castlepollard is a small village of 1,000 inhabitants, less than 20km north of the town of Mullingar. Admittedly, the area doesn’t have many tourist attractions, but we don’t recommend missing out on a visit to the town center, with its two churches and magnificent 17th-century castle, located just outside the town.
Castlepollard was built in the late 17th century by the Pollard family, a wealthy family living under Charles II at the time. They then set about developing the village, constructing buildings on a particularly strict checkerboard plan, with a triangular lawn at its center.
During the Revolutionary War, Castlepollard was the center of violent clashes. The IRA set fire to the RIC police barracks.
Today, Castlepollard is still a friendly village, with houses dating back to the 19th century.
Castlepollard’s town center offers a wide range of dining and accommodation options. Their pubs are generally warm and welcoming, and it’s not uncommon to come across local musicians singing along over a pint.
One of the town’s main monuments is the triangular garden in the heart of the village. It features a statue of a swan, straight out of the legend of the Children of Lir. A nearby plaque tells the story (in English, French, German and Gaelic).