These are the top three places in the annual tidy towns competition in Ireland’s county Westmeath
- 1st: Ballinahown – A beautifully kept, award-winning village on the banks of the River Shannon, offering peaceful walks and a modern marina. It’s a hub for the Shannon Blueway, perfect for boating, fishing, and enjoying the tranquil lakelands.
- 2nd: Athlone – The bustling heart of Ireland, straddling the Shannon. Key attractions include the historic Athlone Castle, the legendary Seán’s Bar, and excellent cruising, shopping, and dining options along the river.
- 3rd: Tyrrellspass – A uniquely planned village centred around a picturesque triangular green with a duck pond. Its charming 18th-century character, historic church, and traditional thatched pub create a picture-perfect stop in the Irish Midlands.
The 2025 Irish Restaurant Award winners for county Westmeath
- Overall: Thyme Restaurant, Athlone
- Café: Bastion Kitchen
- Casual Dining: Dead Centre Brewing
- Chef: John Coffey, Thyme Restaurant
- Contemporary Irish Cuisine: The Left Bank Bistro
- Customer Service: The Fatted Calf
- Employee Excellence Award: Robert Dasiak, The Fatted Calf
- Gastro Pub: The Villager Bar & Restaurant
- Hotel and Guesthouse Restaurant: Glasson Lakehouse
- Innovator: Wholesome Kitchen Restaurant
- Local Food Hero: Anthony Gilsenan of Twelve Points Killua
- Newcomer: Spiced Bean Cafe
- Pub: Sean’s Bar
- Restaurant Manager: Antoanela Belviso, Il Colosseo
- Sustainable Practices: Glasson Glamping Farm
- Use of Social Media: Garrison Coffee Co – Athlone Town
- Wine Experience: Mistervini
- World Cuisine: Al Mezza Lebanese Restaurant
Awards
Antrim – Armagh – Carlow – Cavan – Clare – Cork – Derry – Donegal – Down – Dublin – Fermanagh – Galway – Kerry – Kildare – Kilkenny – Laois – Leitrim – Limerick – Longford – Louth – Mayo – Meath – Monaghan – Offaly – Roscommon – Sligo – Tipperary – Tyrone – Waterford – Westmeath – Wexford – Wicklow
Westmeath:
Introduction – Adventure – Anthem – Archaeology – Attractions – Awards – Birdwatching – Camping – Castles – Churches – Contact list – Cycling – Dining – Equestrian – Festivals – Fishing – Folklore – Gardens – Golf – Graveyards – Happening – Haunted – Highest – Hiking – History – Holy Wells – Hotels – Hotels8 – Instagrammable – Itineraries – Largest town – Luxury – MICE – Movies – Musicians – Name – New – Novelists – Off the beaten track – Poets – Pubs – Quotes – Random Facts – Restaurant Awards – Sacred Places – Saints – Spas – Sports – Sunsets– Sustainable – Things to do – Towns – Video – Villages – Walking – Wanderlist – Weddings – Wild swimming – Writers – 1837 – 1846– 1852 – 1909 – 1955 – 1980 –
Westmeath offers a blend of lakes and historic charm, with Athlone Castle providing insights into medieval Ireland along the Shannon River. The Belvedere House and Gardens showcase Georgian elegance, while Lough Ree offers boating and fishing opportunities. Other attractions include the ancient Fore Abbey and its monastic ruins and traditional seven wonders. Westmeath is Ireland’s tenth smallest county by size (1,763 square km) and 11th smallest by population (96,221). Population peaked at 141,300 in 1841 and reached its lowest point, 52,861 in 1961. In terms of hospitality, Westmeath is Ireland’s 22nd most visited tourist county with around 95,000 international visitors per year.
2025 Irish Restaurant awards by county:
Antrim – Armagh – Carlow – Cavan – Clare – Cork – Derry – Donegal – Down – Dublin – Fermanagh – Galway – Kerry – Kildare – Kilkenny – Laois – Leitrim – Limerick – Longford – Louth – Mayo – Meath – Monaghan – Offaly – Roscommon – Sligo – Tipperary – Tyrone – Waterford – Westmeath – Wexford – Wicklow
