What Is the Belvedere Garden Festival?
The Belvedere Garden Festival is a one-day outdoor event hosted by Belvedere House Gardens & Park on the estate's lawns beside Lough Ennell. It's pitched as a Food, Plant & Country Fair — the kind of day that works equally well if you're a serious gardener hunting for rare specimens or a family looking for a good day out in Westmeath.
The 160-acre estate is already one of the most scenic settings in the Irish Midlands. Add plant stalls, food trucks, live demonstrations from horticulture professionals, and a soundtrack from live music acts, and it's a genuinely attractive day out.
What's On at the Festival
Browse rare and unusual varieties from specialist growers. A plant crèche lets you leave purchases safe while you explore the rest of the estate.
Horticulture professionals and gardening experts give demonstrations and talks throughout the day. Great if you want practical advice alongside the browsing.
A selection of food vendors on the grounds — no need to bring your own lunch. The on-site Lakeside Café is also open.
Live music throughout the day adds atmosphere without drowning out the festival's relaxed, garden-show feel.
Artisan producers, local crafts and independent makers alongside the plant stalls — this is a proper marketplace, not just a garden show.
The estate's four playgrounds remain open during the festival. The grounds themselves — woodland walks, the Jealous Wall, Lough Ennell shore — give children plenty to explore.
Getting There
Belvedere House is located on the R392 about 5 km south of Mullingar town centre, on the shores of Lough Ennell. The full address is Belvedere, Mullingar, Co. Westmeath, N91 EF80.
By Car
From Dublin (90 km): Take the N4/M4 motorway west toward Mullingar. Exit at the Mullingar junction and follow the R392 south toward Kilbeggan. Belvedere is signposted on the right. Free car parking is available on-site — expect it to be busy on festival day, so arrive before noon if you want a good spot.
From Galway / Athlone
Take the N6 east toward Athlone, then the N52 north to Kilbeggan and the R392 north to Belvedere. About 90 minutes from Galway city.
By Bus or Rail
The nearest rail station is Mullingar (Dublin–Sligo line, about 1hr from Connolly). Bus Éireann and Expressway serve Mullingar from Dublin and Athlone. From Mullingar town centre to Belvedere is a 10-minute taxi or a 45-minute walk — plan for a taxi.
What to Bring
- Cash or card — most stalls accept card but some artisan vendors prefer cash
- Reusable bags or boxes for plants — the crèche handles the fragile stuff, but boxes help for the journey home
- Layers — a July day in Westmeath is beautiful until it isn't; keep a light jacket in the bag
- Sunscreen if the forecast is good — the estate's main lawn is open ground
- Comfortable shoes — the estate paths are well-kept gravel and grass, not cobblestone, but still walking terrain
Is It Worth It?
At €15, the Belvedere Garden Festival compares well with other Irish garden shows. You're effectively paying estate admission (which is around €12–14 on its own) plus getting the festival programme. The setting — Georgian villa, Victorian Walled Garden, 160 acres on a lake — does a lot of the heavy lifting. If the weather cooperates, it's a genuinely excellent day out.
Even if plants aren't your primary interest, the food trucks, music and artisan market give it broad appeal. It's comfortably a full-day outing, especially if you explore the woodland walks and go see the Jealous Wall.
Where to Stay for the Festival Weekend
If you're coming from Dublin or elsewhere in Ireland, turning the festival into a weekend is easy — Mullingar has solid accommodation and is well-placed for a broader Westmeath itinerary. The festival itself is on a Sunday, which means arriving Saturday night gives you a relaxed start.
Mullingar Park Hotel
⭐⭐⭐⭐4-star hotel in Mullingar town centre, about 8 minutes' drive from Belvedere. Pool, gym, and full restaurant. Popular for weekend breaks — book early for mid-July.
Check Availability →Greville Arms Hotel
⭐⭐⭐Classic Irish town hotel on Mullingar's main street. Comfortable, central, and good value. Walking distance from the train station if you're arriving by rail.
Check Availability →B&Bs Near Belvedere
Local StaySeveral B&Bs operate within a few kilometres of the estate. Quieter than the town hotels, often better value, and some have views toward Lough Ennell.
Search Mullingar B&Bs →Accommodation links above are affiliate links. We earn a small commission if you book, at no extra cost to you.
FAQs
While You're Here — Explore the Estate
The Jealous Wall, the Victorian Walled Garden, and the Lough Ennell woodland trail are all worth your time alongside the festival.
The Jealous Wall → Visitor Info →