Why Belvedere & Kilbeggan Work Together
Belvedere House and Kilbeggan Distillery sit about 20 minutes apart (roughly 15 km) down the R392 south of Mullingar — close enough to do both comfortably in a day, and different enough to complement each other. Belvedere is the heritage, gardens and lakeshore half of the day; Kilbeggan is the food-and-drink, industrial-history half. One historic estate, one historic distillery, a relaxed lunch in between. It's the answer to "what else is there to do near Belvedere House" that most visitors are looking for.
The Day, Hour by Hour
Arrive at Belvedere House
The estate opens at 9:30am. Start while it's quiet. Free parking on-site at the Visitor Services Centre.
The house, gardens & Jealous Wall
Walk the parkland circuit past the Jealous Wall — the largest folly in Ireland — take in the Georgian house and the restored Walled Garden, and head down to the Lough Ennell lakeshore. Allow two to three hours to do it properly.
Lunch
Eat at the estate's Lakeside Café before you leave, or drive on toward Kilbeggan and eat in town — both Mullingar and Kilbeggan have good lunch options.
Drive to Kilbeggan
About 20 minutes south on the R392. The distillery is in the centre of Kilbeggan town on the Lower Main Street, with parking nearby.
Kilbeggan Distillery Experience
Tour Ireland's oldest licensed whiskey distillery, working machinery and all, finishing with a tasting. The guided experience runs several times a day in season; allow around an hour to ninety minutes.
Home, or stay on
Back to Dublin in about 90 minutes via the M4/M6, or stay over in Mullingar and add Fore Abbey, Tullynally or Athlone the next day.
About Kilbeggan Distillery
Kilbeggan (formerly Locke's) holds a licence dating to 1757, making it Ireland's oldest licensed whiskey distillery. It's a genuine working distillery and museum on the River Brosna in the middle of Kilbeggan town, with original 19th-century machinery — including a working waterwheel and one of the oldest pot stills in the world. The guided Distillery Experience walks you through the whiskey-making process and finishes with a tasting; there's a shop and café on site.
Driving Directions
Belvedere → Kilbeggan: leave Belvedere and continue south on the R392 toward Kilbeggan, about 20 minutes / 15 km. From Dublin: N4/M4 west to Mullingar for Belvedere (about 90 minutes), then the R392 south to Kilbeggan. Returning to Dublin, the M6/M4 from Kilbeggan is also about 90 minutes. All three points — Dublin, Belvedere and Kilbeggan — line up neatly, so the day involves very little backtracking.
Make It a Two-Day Break
If you'd rather not rush, base yourself in Mullingar overnight and spread the area over two days. Belvedere and Kilbeggan on day one; Fore Abbey, Tullynally Castle Gardens or Athlone and Clonmacnoise on day two. See our full things-to-do guide for the wider Westmeath and Hidden Heartlands options, and our accommodation guide for places to stay near Belvedere.
Start the day at Belvedere
Hours, admission and directions for the morning half of your day trip — plus the estate map to plan your route around the grounds.
Plan Your Visit →Day Trip FAQs
How far is Kilbeggan Distillery from Belvedere House?
About 15 km / a 20-minute drive south on the R392. Both are in County Westmeath, south of Mullingar.
Can you do both in one day?
Comfortably. Belvedere in the morning (two to three hours), lunch, and Kilbeggan in the early afternoon leaves you home for the evening even if you're coming from Dublin.
Is it suitable for families?
Belvedere has extensive play areas and space to run around; the distillery tour is more of an adult interest but welcomes families. For a family day, weight the morning toward Belvedere and keep the distillery visit short.