Located in central Ireland, Westmeath is not very often visited by tourists. The region is primarily agricultural, and its biggest attractions are the lakes and the Royal Canal allowing water tourism.
In the west of the county lies the historic city of Athlone, which is considered the center of Ireland. In the Middle Ages, thanks to the crossing of Shannon, it was a city of great commercial and strategic importance. You can see the 13th century castle and the monumental, neoclassical church of St. Piotr and Paweł.
The small village of Kilbeggan is very popular among tourists and was in the past a port on the Royal Canal connecting Shannon with Dublin. There is the Locke's Destillery museum showing the history of the oldest Irish whiskey distillery. It operated from 1757 to 1954.
Westmeath is a land of lakes and rivers. The most famous of the lakes here is Lough Ree on the border with the counties of Longfort and Roscommon. It is a popular fishing trip destination, and on its shores there are numerous wild harbors for rowing boats and kayaks. The Royal Canal also flows through the region, which is a popular route for canoeing and barge rides. There is a walking trail along the canal.
