Tullynally Castle & Gardens

Description

Tullynally Castle & Gardens is a magnificent historic estate spanning over 200 acres of open parkland, manicured lawns, and ancient woodland trails. As one of the most immersive things to do with kids in Westmeath, this extensive castle garden attraction offers families a perfect balance of outdoor adventure, natural discovery, and cultural history. Children can roam freely through secret pathways, explore unique flora, and participate in interactive trails designed specifically to engage young minds.

Prices start from €4.00 for children and €9.00 for adults for garden entry tickets, with a dedicated family pass available to help keep costs low. Please note that pricing for this historic estate is processed in Euros (€) due to its location in the Republic of Ireland.

If you are looking for the best place for a day out with family and kids that combines sprawling outdoor spaces, historical grandeur, and beautiful woodland trails, this historic estate is an ideal choice for a weekend trip.

Features

  • Paid
  • Host birthday parties: No

Features

Top Features

  • Sprawling Historic Estate: Features over 200 acres of magnificent parkland, formal lawns, and deep woodland walks to explore.
  • Interactive Family Trails: Includes a dedicated children's activity hunt designed to keep young walkers engaged as they navigate the grounds.
  • Educational Plant Collections: Offers a curated tree trail showcasing unique species collected from all over the world.
  • Authentic Living History: Provides guided interior castle tours that allow older children to step back into the authentic lifestyle of historic eras.

Highlights

  • Children's Discovery Trail: The little ones will absolutely love searching for the hidden creatures and whimsical installations scattered strategically across the garden grounds. This interactive treasure hunt keeps kids excited, converting a standard garden walk into an engaging game of outdoor detection.
  • Thomas Pakenham's Tree Trail: Older kids can follow a specialized route featuring 24 of the owner’s favorite trees collected from global plant-hunting expeditions. This educational path introduces children to exotic botany and the fascinating stories behind how these trees arrived in Westmeath.
  • The Castle Interior Tour: For families with children aged 10 and over, the 45-minute guided indoor tour offers a peek inside a genuine, working historic castle. Guided experts walk you through the historic rooms, telling stories that spark the imagination far better than any school history textbook.
  • The Forest Walk and Lakes: The estate features serene, wide-open paths like the Forest Walk that wind down toward beautiful, restored bodies of water. Children can look out for local woodland wildlife, ducks, and unique water birds along the shorelines.
  • The Castle Courtyard & Stables: The outer historic courtyard serves as the central hub of the estate, where children can look at the massive central water trough used in bygone eras. It is a wonderful space to admire the dramatic castle architecture and stone battlements before starting your trail walk.

Beyond the Main Attraction: Beyond the core gardens and historical pathways, families can extend their day out by exploring the wider local heritage of the Castlepollard region. The nearby Lough Derravaragh offers spectacular lakeside views and is famously tied to the Irish legend of the Children of Lir, making it a wonderful storytelling stop for kids. Additionally, the historic ruins of Fore Abbey are located just a short drive away, featuring ancient monastical structures, a historic dovecote, and easy walking paths perfect for a free secondary family adventure.

Facilities

  • Toilets: Full public restroom facilities are centrally located in the main Castle Courtyard area. Note that there are no toilets out on the garden trails.
  • Buggy Parking: There is no designated buggy storage area. Strollers are allowed throughout the main paths of the gardens, though some remote forest tracks feature rougher terrain.
  • Lockers: No secure locker facilities are available on the estate grounds. Visitors must carry all personal items and avoid bringing large backpacks.
  • Food Options: The on-site Stables Tearoom operates from 9:00 am to 5:00 pm, providing indoor and covered outdoor seating for coffees, sweet treats, and homemade refreshments.

What to see

What Visitors Love

  • The expansive 200 acres of land provide a massive amount of space for children to run around safely.
  • The interactive elements, particularly the children’s discovery trail, make the long walks very engaging for toddlers and young kids.
  • The Stables Tearoom offers high-quality homemade food options with comfortable covered outdoor seating areas.
  • Excellent value for money, especially when utilizing the dedicated family garden tickets or seasonal memberships.

What Visitors Don't Like

  • The age restriction preventing children under 10 from entering the castle tours can frustrate families with mixed-age siblings.
  • The lack of restroom facilities deep within the extensive garden trails requires careful planning with younger kids before leaving the courtyard.
  • Interior castle tours run only on select days and times of the week, requiring strict scheduling in advance.

FAQ

  • Is it worth it for toddlers?: Yes, it is highly worth it for toddlers because the extensive, open lawns give them plenty of space to safely run about. They will also particularly love searching for the hidden animal carvings along the dedicated outdoor trail.
  • How long does a visit take?: A family visit generally takes between 2 and 4 hours to complete. This timeframe allows your family to complete the activity trails, stroll through the vast woodland paths, and grab lunch at the tearoom.
  • Where is the best place to park?: The best place to park is the primary on-site visitor car park located right beside the central castle gate entrance. It offers quick, immediate access to the ticket reception desk and the courtyard without requiring long walks from outside the estate.

Price

Price: Paid

Price Details

Garden Entry Tickets

  • Adult Ticket: €9.00
  • Child Ticket (Ages 5 to 16): €4.00
  • Toddlers (Under 5): Free
  • Family Ticket (2 Adults & 2 Children): €24.00

Castle Tour Tickets (Includes Garden Admission)

  • Adult Castle Tour: €17.00
  • Child Castle Tour (Strictly Ages 10–16 Only): €9.00

Season Memberships

  • Adult Season Ticket (Permits Holder + 1 Guest): €60.00
  • Family Season Ticket (2 Adults & 2 Children): €73.00

Pricing URL: https://www.tullynallycastle.ie/visitor-information/

Birthday Parties

Offer Birthday Parties: No

  • Gardens & Tearoom: Open from March 21st to September 27th, 2026. Operating hours are 9:00 am to 5:00 pm, Thursday through Sunday, including public Bank Holidays.
  • Castle Tours: Available from May to September on Thursday, Friday, and Saturday only. Tours run at set intervals: 11:00 am, 12:30 pm, and 2:00 pm.

Address: Tullynally Castle & Gardens, Road, Castlepollard, County Westmeath, Ireland

Post Code: N91 NX30

Council: Westmeath County

County: County Westmeath

  • By Car: The estate is situated approximately 80 minutes away from Dublin by car. Drive along the M3 or M4 motorways heading northwest toward Mullingar, then follow the regional signs north along the R394 directly into Castlepollard. There is ample, dedicated car parking spaces provided on-site directly within the main grounds of the estate, positioned just outside the primary courtyard entrance. Parking is free for all ticket-holding visitors.
  • By Bus: Local regional bus routes operated by Local Link and Bus Éireann pass through the main village square of Castlepollard from larger hubs like Mullingar. The castle gates sit just a short taxi ride or extended walk from the village center.
  • By Train: The closest active rail terminal is Mullingar Train Station, which links directly to Dublin Connolly station. From Mullingar, visitors will need to arrange a 20-minute taxi ride or connect to a regional bus to complete the journey to Castlepollard.

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