Nestled amongst the rolling green hills of north Westmeath and surrounded by deep lakes, vast bogs and undulating hills, Multyfarnham is a picturesque and historic village with many stories to explore.

Multyfarnham has a long and rich history that stretches back over the millennia to the time of the Mesolithic, when some of Ireland’s earliest people hunted and gathered in this area. Since then, this region has been occupied by humans across thousands of years. Evidence of these ancient people can be seen all around you. From the artificial islands used for crannogs on Lough Derravaragh to the fields surrounding the village, which are dotted with ringforts, which once housed early medieval farming families.

Besides the ringforts, there are also artificial flat-topped hills known as mottes which were built by the Anglo-Normans in the early 13th century. The decedents of the Anglo-Normans had a profound effect on the history of the village, from its architecture, which boasts spectacular medieval churches, to how the villagers were treated during the Reformation.

Along the way, we will hear about colourful characters such as St. Cremin, a nephew of the famous St. Patrick, and Dudley Bradstreet, a 17th-century spy and charlatan. We will also walk the hallowed nave of the Franciscan Friary and stroll through the leafy shade of Donore Wood. You will get the chance to see the village’s charming 19th-century architecture, one of the battle sites of the 1798 Rebellion and discover some hidden stone carvings in Lackan medieval church.

The guide will also take you to the shores of Lough Derravaragh, where you can see where the tragic tale of the Children of Lir unfolded. Besides ancient history and thrilling stories, Multyfarnham is a lovely place to unwind. In the village centre, there are a number of fantastic pubs and restaurants, or you might find yourself exploring some of the ancient churches and prehistoric sites all located within a short drive from the village.

The Multyfarnham Heritage Trail Audio Guide

This audio guide was produced by Abarta Heritage on behalf of Multyfarnham Tidy Towns Committee. This project has been funded by The Heritage Council. The script was written by Tara Clarke and edited by Róisín Burke. Narration was by Paula Rouse with recording done at Bluebird Studios with sound engineer Declan Lonergan and producers Tara Clarke and Róisín Burke.