Mullingar: Difference between revisions

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{{Short description|Town in County Westmeath, Ireland}}

'''Mullingar''' ([[Irish language|Irish]]: ''An Muileann gCearr'' - "The Crooked Mill") is the administrative centre of [[County Westmeath]], [[Ireland]] and the seat of the [[Roman Catholic]] [[Diocese of Meath]]. The town and its hinterland have a combined population of some 20,000 inhabitants.

{{about|the town in Ireland}}

{{pp-pc}}

{{Use Hiberno-English|date=October 2018}}

{{Use dmy dates|date=April 2025}}

{{Infobox settlement

| name = Mullingar

| native_name = {{lang|ga|An Muileann gCearr}}

| native_name_lang = ga

| settlement_type = Town

| image_skyline = {{multiple image

|border = infobox

|total_width = 280px

|image_style = border:1;

|perrow = 2/2

|image1 = Market Square, Mullingar, 2021-07-21.jpg

|caption1 = Market Square

|image2 = Dominick Street, Mullingar, 2021-07-21.jpg

|caption2 = Dominick Street

|image3 = Christ le Roi Mullingar.JPG

|caption3 = [[Cathedral of Christ the King, Mullingar|Mullingar Cathedral]]

|image4 = Mullingar Town Park, 2021-07-21, 01.jpg

|caption4 = [[Mullingar Town Park|Town Park]]

}}

| image_shield = Mullingar COA.png

| pushpin_map = Ireland

| pushpin_label_position = right

| pushpin_map_caption = Location in Ireland

| subdivision_type = Country

| subdivision_name = Ireland

| subdivision_type1 = [[Provinces of Ireland|Province]]

| subdivision_name1 = [[Leinster]]

| subdivision_type2 = [[Regions of Ireland|Region]]

| subdivision_name2 = [[Eastern and Midland Region|Eastern and Midland]]

| subdivision_type3 = [[Counties of Ireland|County]]

| subdivision_name3 = [[Westmeath]]

| established_title =

| established_date =

| leader_title1 = [[Local government in the Republic of Ireland|Local authority]]

| leader_name1 = [[Westmeath County Council]]

| leader_title2 = [[Dáil constituency]]

| leader_name2 = [[Longford–Westmeath (Dáil constituency)|Longford–Westmeath]]

| unit_pref = Metric

| area_footnotes =

| area_total_km2 =

| population_as_of = [[2022 census of Ireland|2022]]

| population_footnotes = <ref name="cso2022">{{cite web|title=Census 2022 - F1015 Population|work=Central Statistics Office Census 2022 Reports |publisher=[[Central Statistics Office (Ireland)|Central Statistics Office Ireland]] |date=August 2023 |url=https://data.cso.ie/table/F1015 |access-date=16 September 2023 }}</ref>

| population_total = 22667

| population_urban =

| population_density_km2 = auto

| coordinates = {{coord|53.5224|-7.3378|dim:100000_region:IE|format=dms|display=inline,title}}

| elevation_footnotes =

| elevation_m = 101

| area_code_type = [[Telephone numbers in the Republic of Ireland|Telephone area code]]

| area_code = +353(0)44

| postal_code_type = [[Eircode]] routing key

| postal_code = N91

| postal2_code_type = Postal Sorting Office

| timezone = [[Western European Time|WET]]

| utc_offset = ±0

| timezone_DST = [[Irish Standard Time|IST]]

| utc_offset_DST = +1

| blank_name = [[Irish grid reference system|Irish Grid Reference]]

| blank_info = {{iem4ibx|N425523}}

| website =

| footnotes =

}}

{{Historical populations|state=collapsed|width=22.2em

|1821|3684

|1831|4295

|1841|4569

|1851|4817

|1861|5375

|1871|5103

|1881|4787

|1891|5323

|1901|4500

|1911|5539

|1926|5293

|1936|5237

|1946|5445

|1951|5643

|1956|7488

|1961|7442

|1966|7943

|1971|9245

|1981|11703

|1986|12127

|1991|11867

|1996|12492

|2002|15621

|2006|18416

|2011|20103

|2016|20928

|2022|22667

| footnote=<ref>[http://www.cso.ie/census Census for post 1821 figures.] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100920090814/http://cso.ie/census |date=20 September 2010 }}. Cso.ie.</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.histpop.org/|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20160507023856/http://www.histpop.org/|url-status=dead|title=HISTPOP.ORG - Home|archivedate=7 May 2016|website=www.histpop.org}}</ref><ref>[http://www.nisranew.nisra.gov.uk/census NISRA – Northern Ireland Statistics and Research Agency (c) 2013] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120217095720/http://www.nisranew.nisra.gov.uk/census |date=17 February 2012 }}. Nisranew.nisra.gov.uk (27 September 2010).</ref><ref>{{cite book|last=Lee|first=J. J.|author-link=J. J. Lee (historian)|editor-last=Goldstrom|editor-first=J. M.|editor2-last=Clarkson|editor2-first=L. A.|title=Irish Population, Economy, and Society: Essays in Honour of the Late K. H. Connell|year=1981|publisher=Clarendon Press|___location=Oxford, England|chapter=On the accuracy of the [[Great Famine (Ireland)|Pre-famine]] Irish censuses}}</ref><ref>{{Cite journal |last1 = Mokyr |first1 = Joel |author-link = Joel Mokyr |last2 = Ó Grada |first2 = Cormac |author2-link = Cormac Ó Gráda |title = New Developments in Irish Population History, 1700–1850 |journal = The Economic History Review |volume = 37 |issue = 4 |pages = 473–488 |date = November 1984|doi = 10.1111/j.1468-0289.1984.tb00344.x |hdl = 10197/1406 |hdl-access = free }}</ref><ref name="cso2022"/>

}}

'''Mullingar''' ({{IPAc-en|ˌ|m|ʌ|l|ɪ|n|ˈ|ɡ|ɑːr}}<ref>{{Cite web | url = https://www.collinsdictionary.com/dictionary/english/mullingar | title = Mullingar | website = Collins English Dictionary |access-date = 16 April 2020 | archive-date = 8 April 2015 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20150408060436/http://www.collinsdictionary.com/dictionary/english/mullingar | url-status = live}}</ref> {{respell|MUL|in|GAR}}; {{Irish place name|An Muileann gCearr|the left-hand mill|reference=Mullingar in Irish ' An Muillean gCearr' means "the lefthand mill" https://www.ireland.anglican.org/news/8980/parochial-history-of-mullingar-compiled}} {{IPA|ga|ən̪ˠ ˌmˠɪlʲən̪ˠ ˈɟɑːɾˠ|}}) is the [[county town]] of [[County Westmeath]] in Ireland. It is the third most populous town in the [[Midland Region, Ireland|Midland Region]], with a population of 22,667 in the [[2022 census of Ireland|2022 census]].<ref name="cso2022" />

The town had a proud tradition of cattle-trading up until [[2003]], when its cattle market was finally closed for development of a mixed commercial and residental scheme called the ''Market Point''. The fame of the fine beasts to be seen at the Mullingar marts spawned the popular Irish phrase "beef to the heels like a Mullingar heifer" (an unkind remark about ladies with less than slender legs).

The [[Counties of Meath and Westmeath Act 1543]] proclaimed Westmeath a county, separating it from Meath. Mullingar became the administrative centre for County Westmeath. The town was originally named ''Maelblatha'', and takes its modern name from a mill noted in the legend of [[Colman of Mullingar]].<ref>From: Betha Colmáin Maic Lúacháin, or, The Life of Colmán son of Lúachan {{usurped|1=[https://web.archive.org/web/20070714140528/http://www.aelredsanonymous.com/colmanir.html Life of Colman of Lynn]}} alternatively, one may find where the old copy of the original has been many years in France [http://www.bm-rennes.fr/ Bibliothèque de Rennes] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070117201835/http://www.bm-rennes.fr/ |date=17 January 2007 }}</ref>

Mullingar is also famous for the neighbouring lakes, [[Lough Owel]] and [[Lough Ennell]], which attract many anglers. In recent times one of Mullingar's major exports has become the items of fine [[pewter|pewterware]] produced by the firm of Mullingar Pewter located near the town.

Traditionally a market town serving the surrounding agricultural hinterland, Mullingar's cattle market closed in 2003 for the development of a mixed commercial and residential scheme called Market Point.

[[Image:Westmeath.jpg|right|thumbnail|250px|Map of [[County Westmeath]], showing ___location of Mullingar]]

Mullingar has a number of neighbouring lakes, including [[Lough Owel]], [[Lough Ennell]] and [[Lough Derravaragh]]. Lough Derravaragh is also known for its connection with the Irish legend of the [[Children of Lir]]. The town of Mullingar is linked to Lough Ennell via [[Lacy's Canal]] and the [[River Brosna]]. Another nearby waterway is the [[Royal Canal]], which loops around Mullingar.

==Transport==

Mullingar lies on [[Roads in Ireland#National Primary Routes|national primary route]] N4, the main [[Dublin]] - [[Sligo]] road, 79 km (49 miles) from the capital. The town is also served by national rail company [[Iarnród Éireann]]'s Dublin - Sligo ''InterCity'' trains and ''Arrow'' commuter services (see [[Rail transport in Ireland]]) aswell as by a [[Bus Éireann]] service to [[Dublin]] and [[Athlone]] where passengers can catch connecting buses.

==History==

The town currently suffers from heavy afternoon traffic partially caused by a lack of off-street parking (there is currently an underground carpark in construction to help solve this problem). The town is bypassed and a ring road is in construction also in a bid to aliviat traffic. A new road to [[Athlone]] is also in the planning stages.

The town developed at a [[Ford (crossing)|fording]] point on the [[River Brosna]].<ref name="Bradley">{{citation | title = Urban Survey of Westmeath | editor-first = John | editor-last = Bradley | date = 1985 | pages = 113–114}}</ref> Evidence of ancient settlement within Mullingar include records of a [[motte-and-bailey castle]], a [[tower house]] known as Mullingar Castle, a number of fortified houses and several water mills.<ref name="Bradley"/> The town's Irish name, ''An Muileann gCearr'' meaning a "wry or left-handed mill", refers to one of these mills.<ref name="wmCoCo">{{cite web|url = https://www.westmeathcoco.ie/en/ourservices/library/explorewestmeath/inthepast/mullingar/ | publisher = Westmeath County Council | title = In The Past - Mullingar | accessdate = 3 June 2025 }}</ref>

Former monastic settlements, founded in Mullingar, included the [[Augustinian order|Augustinian]] Priory of St. Mary (established by the [[Bishop of Meath]] in 1227) and a [[Dominican Order|Dominican]] friary (reputedly established by the Nugent family in 1237).<ref name="Reynell">{{cite web|url = https://www.churchofireland.org/news/8980/parochial-history-of-mullingar-compiled | website = churchofireland.org | title = Parochial History of Mullingar, compiled by the Revd William Reynell, 13th – 19th Centuries – Digitised | date = 1 October 2019 | accessdate = 3 June 2025 }}</ref> The sites of these two monasteries, which were "[[Dissolution of the monasteries|dissolved]]" in the 16th century,<ref name="Lewis">{{cite book | chapter-url = https://www.libraryireland.com/topog/M/Mullingar-Magheradernon-Westmeath.php | chapter = Mullingar | title = [[A Topographical Dictionary of Ireland]] | via = libraryireland.com | editor-first = Samuel | editor-last = Lewis | publisher = Lewis | date = 1837 }}</ref> were in ruin by the late 17th century.<ref name="Reynell"/>

In the 19th century the town was served for a time by the [[Royal Canal of Ireland|Royal Canal]] - however displaced first by the railway and then the car, it is no longer commercially used for the transport of goods or people.

When [[County Westmeath]] was formed in the 1540s, with the passing of the [[Counties of Meath and Westmeath Act 1543]], Mullingar became the "[[shire town]]" for the newly formed county.<ref name="wmCoCo"/> It was also a [[garrison town]], following the completion of [[Columb Barracks|Wellington Barracks]] (later Columb Barracks) in the early 19th century.<ref name="wmCoCo"/>

[[Image:Mullingar.jpg|left|thumbnail|250px|The top of Domeinick Street, Mullingar.]]

The current cathedral in Mullingar, the [[Cathedral of Christ the King, Mullingar|Cathedral of Christ the King]], was built in the 1930s on the site of a former 19th century cathedral.<ref>{{cite web|url = https://www.archiseek.com/1836-st-marys-cathedral-mullingar-co-westmeath/ | website = archiseek.com | title = 1836 – St. Mary's Cathedral, Mullingar, Co. Westmeath | date = 23 September 2015 | accessdate = 3 June 2025 }}</ref>

==Industry==

Mullingar contains several industrial estates including Lough Sheever Corperate Park and the Lynn Industrial estate. Two of the towns major manufacturing plants - [[Penn]] tennis balls and Tarket - both closed in the early 2000's causing many job losses. However newer industries have absorbed the job losses - including [[P.E.M. Engineering]] [http://www.pem.ie/], [[Trend Technologies]] [http://www.trendtechnologies.com/], [[Taconic International Ltd]] [http://www.4taconic.com/], and [[Mullingar Pewter]] which are both sizeable operations. The town is also home to a [[Van Nelle|Van Nelle (Ireland)]] tobacoo factory which has provided employment for many years and [[Iralco]] - an automotive component manufacture is located near the town. The town recently lost out when a major retailer [[Lidl]] decided not to locate its national distribution center in the town. There is currently talk of building an [[IDA Ireland|IDA]] Business Park in the town.

== Local government and politics ==

==Commerce==

[[Image:Mullingar2.jpg|right|thumbnail|250px|The roundabout at the end of Marys St, Mullingar.]]

Mullingar has a vibrant commercial sector. I has expanded rapidly in recent years from just a few shops on the main streets of the town - Oliver Plunkett St., Austin Friars St., and Mount St. - to several major shopping areas. There is an out of town retail park at Lakepoint (about a mile from the town center), the shopping center 'Harbour Place' near the town center and a new developement at the Green - the site of the former Avonmore and Pennys units.

[[Westmeath County Council]] is the local authority for Westmeath. The county council comprises two constituencies or "municipal districts". Mullingar town is in the Mullingar Municipal District, which comprises thirteen members.<ref>{{cite web |url = http://www.westmeathcoco.ie/en/ourservices/yourcouncil/councillors/municipaldistricts/ |title = Westmeathcoco.ie |website = westmeathcoco.ie |access-date = 17 November 2017 |url-status = dead |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20161023225707/http://www.westmeathcoco.ie/en/ourservices/yourcouncil/councillors/municipaldistricts/ |archive-date = 23 October 2016 }}</ref>

The town has a good mix of chain stores ([[Tesco]], [[Dunnes Stores]], [[Lidl]], [[Musgrave|Supervalu]], [[Boots the Chemists|Boots]] and more) and local retailers. The town also has branches of all the major banks - [[AIB]], [[Bank of Ireland]] etc. and building societys - [[First Active]], [[EBS]] etc.

The town is part of the [[Longford–Westmeath (Dáil constituency)|Longford–Westmeath constituency]] for elections to [[Dáil Éireann]].

Mullingar also boosts a [[Farmers Market]] which is held every Sunday and a small market which is located around the Pennys parking lot near the Green.

Mullingar's Ruth Illingworth, a local historian and [[Fine Gael]] politician, was Ireland's first female openly LGBTQ+ mayor, elected in 2009.<ref>{{cite news |title=Ireland's First LGBTQ+ female mayor was Mullingar's Ruth |url=https://www.westmeathexaminer.ie/2022/06/28/irelands-first-lgbtq-female-mayor-was-mullingars-ruth// |access-date=June 3, 2025}}</ref>

==Tourism==

Mullingars main tourist attractions are its lakes - [[Lough Owel]] and [[Lough Ennell]] - which are popular among anglers - and [[Belvedere House and Gardens]] which is heavily promoted for its beauty. The town has several hotels - the Greville Arms Hotel, Bloomfield House Hotel and the 4 star Park Hotel which houses a conference center among others.

There is a [[Chamber of Commerce]] in Mullingar, and Mullingar is one of the three towns that forms the [[Midlands Gateway]] region,<ref>[http://www.midlandgateway.ie/ MidlandGateway.ie] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071212072417/http://www.midlandgateway.ie/ |date=12 December 2007 }}</ref> along with [[Athlone]] and [[Tullamore]], set up as part of the Government's [[National Spatial Strategy]] 2002–2020.

==Notable citizens and buildings==

*Mullingar is the home town of the well-known singer [[Joe Dolan]] and of [[Michael O'Leary]], the CEO of [[Ryanair]].

== Tourism ==

*Mullingar's most famous building is the cathedral of [[Christ the King]], the cathedral of the [[Diocese of Meath]].

[[File:Sunset at Christ The King Cathedral.JPG|thumb|left|[[Christ the King Cathedral, Mullingar|Christ the King Cathedral]] at sunset]]

Mullingar's tourist attractions include its lakes – [[Lough Owel]], [[Lough Derravaragh]] and [[Lough Ennell]] – which are visited by anglers. The [[Royal Canal]] also flows through the town. [[Belvedere House and Gardens]], [[Mullingar Golf Club]] and the [[Bloomfield House Hotel]] are all located nearby.

==See also==

The town has a handful of hotels, including the Newbury Hotel, [[Annebrook House Hotel]], Mullingar Park Hotel and the [[Greville Arms Hotel]]. The latter holds the two Brit awards presented to [[Niall Horan]],<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.irishexaminer.com/lifestyle/features/why-theres-no-place-like-niall-horans-home-283126.html|title=Why there's no place like Niall Horan's home|work=[[Irish Examiner]]|date=24 August 2014|access-date=16 April 2020|archive-date=15 November 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171115181615/http://www.irishexaminer.com/lifestyle/features/why-theres-no-place-like-niall-horans-home-283126.html|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.grevillearmshotel.ie/local-attractions.html|title=Local Attractions|website=www.grevillearmshotel.ie|access-date=16 April 2020|archive-date=21 September 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200921165913/https://www.grevillearmshotel.ie/local-attractions.html|url-status=live}}</ref> and a large granite monument, which formerly stood at Dominick Street, which was presented to the town by Lord Greville.{{citation needed|date=February 2024}}

*[[List of towns in the Republic of Ireland]]

One of Mullingar's notable buildings is the cathedral of [[Christ the King Mullingar]], the cathedral of the [[Diocese of Meath]]. The cathedral was dedicated on the day World War II broke out.

==External links==

* [http://www.mullingarpewter.com Mullingar Pewter]

[[Columb Barracks]], which closed in March 2012, was a military base that housed the 4th Field Artillery Regiment, the 4th Field Supply & Transport Company<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.westmeathexaminer.ie/news/roundup/articles/2015/04/24/4037270-responses-flood-in-following-publication-of-old-gort-photo/|title=Westmeath Examiner - Responses flood in following publication of old gort photo|date=24 April 2015 |access-date=23 February 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180224053214/http://www.westmeathexaminer.ie/news/roundup/articles/2015/04/24/4037270-responses-flood-in-following-publication-of-old-gort-photo/|archive-date=24 February 2018|url-status=live}}</ref> and the HQ of the 54 Reserve Field Artillery Regiment (Army Reserve).{{citation needed|date=April 2025}}

* [http://www.mullingar-chamber.ie/ Mullingar Chamber of Commerce]

[[Category: Towns in the Republic of Ireland]]

[[File:1916 Monument Mullingar.jpg|thumb|upright|1916 monument]]

[[File:Moulin à Pierre.jpg|thumb|upright|The Famine Memorial Fountain and a millstone, recalling the origin of the town's name]]

There is a monument, commemorating the centenary of the [[1916 Easter Rising]], at Green Bridge in Mullingar. The monument, built by the Mullingar Tidy Towns organisation,<ref>{{cite web |url=http://mullingartidytowns.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=21&Itemid=21 |title=News Updates |publisher=Mullingartidytowns.com |access-date=2020-02-26 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171119054456/http://mullingartidytowns.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=21&Itemid=21 |archive-date=19 November 2017 |url-status=live }}</ref> was officially unveiled on Easter Monday 2017. Other memorials and statues in Mullingar include a statue titled "The Pilgrims" (erected to commemorate the millennium in 2000 at the junction of Austin Friars Street and MacCurtain Street),<ref>{{cite web|url = https://www.buildingsofireland.ie/buildings-search/building/15310132/the-pilgrims-pearse-street-maccurtain-st-austin-friars-st-mullingar-mullingar-westmeath | website = buildingsofireland.ie | publisher = National Inventory of Architectural Heritage | title = The Pilgrims, McCurtain Street, Austin Friars Street, Mullingar, Westmeath | accessdate = 11 April 2025 }}</ref> a memorial to the [[Great Famine (Ireland)|Great Famine]] (erected in 1997 on The Square in Mullingar),<ref>{{cite web|url = https://www.buildingsofireland.ie/buildings-search/building/15310207/famine-memorial-fountain-the-square-mullingar-mullingar-westmeath | website = buildingsofireland.ie | publisher = National Inventory of Architectural Heritage | title = Famine Memorial Fountain, The Square, Mullingar, Westmeath | accessdate = 11 April 2025 }}</ref> and a statue of [[Joe Dolan]] (unveiled in 2008 on the Market Square).<ref>{{cite web|url = https://joedolan.com/statue/| website = joedolan.com | title = The Joe Dolan Statue | accessdate = 11 April 2025 }}</ref>

[[Mullingar Town Park]] is a public park situated in the centre of the town, and it includes a wide variety of [[playgrounds]], a [[swimming pool]] and a large [[pond]] near the centre. On 22 July 2016, the park became one of 22 public spaces in Ireland to be awarded a Green Flag.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.rte.ie/news/2016/0721/803931-green-flags/|title=Green Flags awarded to 22 public spaces in Ireland|website=RTE.ie|date=21 July 2016|access-date=2016-08-22|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180619140445/https://www.rte.ie/news/2016/0721/803931-green-flags/|archive-date=19 June 2018|url-status=live}}</ref>

== Economy ==

Among Mullingar's exports are items of [[pewter]]ware produced by Mullingar Pewter.<ref name="pewter">[http://www.mullingarpewter.com/ Mullingar Pewter, Gifts of a Lifetime] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20040519060413/http://mullingarpewter.com/ |date=19 May 2004 }}. Mullingarpewter.com.</ref> Also associated with Mullingar is Genesis Fine Art, which produces gift items. The "Pilgrims" sculpture on Mullingar's Austin Friars Street, at which ___location there once stood an Augustinian Friary, was crafted by Genesis on foot of a commission by the Mullingar chapter of Soroptimists International.

Mullingar's commercial sector has expanded in recent years{{when|date=January 2018}} from just a few shops on the town's main thoroughfares – Oliver Plunkett Street, Austin Friars Street, and Mount Street – to several major shopping areas. There is an out-of-town retail park at Lakepoint (about 1.6&nbsp; km from the town centre), the [[Harbour Place Shopping Centre]] near the town centre, and a development at the Green – on the site of the former Avonmore and Penneys units.

The town has a mix of local retailers and chain stores, and branches of the major banks. The town also has a [[credit union]], Mullingar Credit Union (formerly known as St. Colman's House).<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.buildingsofireland.ie/buildings-search/building/15310204/mullingar-credit-union-oliver-plunkett-street-mullingar-mullingar-co-westmeath|title=Mullingar Credit Union, Oliver Plunkett Street|website=www.buildingsofireland.ie|publisher=National Inventory of Architectural Heritage|access-date=16 April 2020}}</ref>

A proposed development, named "Mullingar Central", was to have been located between Mount Street, the railway station and Blackhall Street. Planning permission was granted for retail, commercial and residential units. Phase 1, which included tax offices, library, civic offices and County Council buildings was officially opened on 11 June 2009.<ref>[http://www.advertiser.ie/mullingar/article/13884 €40m county buildings officially opened] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120324214649/http://www.advertiser.ie/mullingar/article/13884 |date=24 March 2012 }}. Advertiser.ie (19 June 2009).</ref> Phase 2, however, did not proceed.<ref>{{cite news |url = http://www.independent.ie/lifestyle/property-plus/rejuvenating-mullingar-1321107.html |work = Irish Independent |title = Rejuvenating Mullingar |date = 19 March 2008 |access-date = 19 September 2009 |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20121025212349/http://www.independent.ie/lifestyle/property-plus/rejuvenating-mullingar-1321107.html |archive-date = 25 October 2012 |url-status = live }}</ref>

[[File:Castle Street, Mullingar.jpg|thumb|Castle Street is one of the town's high streets]]

Mullingar contains several industrial estates and business parks. As of 2015, only one plot on the Industrial Development Authority (IDA) business park in Marlinstown has been acquired by an employer, Patterson Pumps. At that time, the business was constructing a new plant to which it intended to move its Irish operation from its current ___location at Mullingar Business Park.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.idaireland.com/newsroom/patterson-pump|title=International Manufacturer Aims to Create 65 Skilled Jobs in Ireland by 2020|publisher=[[IDA Ireland]]|date=14 September 2015|access-date=15 April 2020|archive-date=7 August 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200807173936/https://www.idaireland.com/newsroom/patterson-pump|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.westmeathindependent.ie/news/roundup/articles/2015/09/14/4105739-westmeath-jobs-boost-announced/|title=Westmeath jobs boost announced|work=[[Westmeath Independent]]|date=14 September 2015|access-date=15 April 2020|archive-date=26 September 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150926025732/http://www.westmeathindependent.ie/news/roundup/articles/2015/09/14/4105739-westmeath-jobs-boost-announced/|url-status=live}}</ref> Two of the town's manufacturing plants – Penn tennis balls and Tarkett<ref>[http://www.tarkett.com/ Tarkett Group] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20041001022051/http://www.tarkett.com/ |date=1 October 2004 }}. Tarkett.com.</ref> – both closed in the early 2000s causing many job losses. Other local employers include the Midland Regional Hospital at Mullingar,<ref>[https://web.archive.org/web/20150425052149/http://www.hse.ie/eng/services/list/3/hospitals/mullingar Mullingar Hospital]</ref> P.E.M. Engineering,<ref>[http://www.pem.ie/ PEM Ireland] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20040926154032/http://www.pem.ie/ |date=26 September 2004 }}. Pem.ie.</ref> [[Trend Technologies]],<ref>[http://www.trendtechnologies.ie/ Injection Moulding, Plastic Mouldings, Medical Devices, Automotive Components -Trend Technologies] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070518151246/http://www.trendtechnologies.ie/ |date=18 May 2007 }}. Trendtechnologies.ie.</ref> Taconic International,<ref>[http://www.4taconic.com/ Taconic Corporate Homepage] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20040921010004/http://www.4taconic.com/ |date=21 September 2004 }}. 4taconic.com.</ref> and Mullingar Pewter.<ref name="pewter" />

The town is home to a €25m [[Lidl]] warehouse and distribution centre.

Mullingar has a Chamber of Commerce which represents almost 200 businesses from varying commercial sectors.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://mullingarchamber.ie/about-us/|title=About Us|website=www.mullingarchamber.ie|access-date=15 April 2020|archive-date=16 February 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200216145105/http://mullingarchamber.ie/about-us/|url-status=live}}</ref>

== Transport ==

=== Road ===

[[File:Canal Mullingar 01.JPG|thumb|The Royal Canal]]

Mullingar lies near the [[Roads in Ireland#National Primary Routes|national primary route]] [[N4 road (Ireland)|N4]], the main [[Dublin]] – [[Sligo]] road, {{convert|79|km|mi|abbr=on}} from the capital. The [[N52 road (Ireland)|N52]] also connects Mullingar to the [[Galway]]-Dublin [[M6 motorway (Ireland)|M6 motorway]] at [[Athlone]] to the southwest, and [[Kells, County Meath|Kells]], [[Ardee]] and [[Dundalk]] to the northeast. The town is served by [[Bus Éireann]] services to [[Dublin]], [[Athlone]] (where passengers can catch connecting buses), [[Sligo]], [[Cavan]], [[Tullamore]] and [[Ballina, County Mayo|Ballina]].

=== Waterway ===

In the 19th century the town was served for a time by the [[Royal Canal of Ireland|Royal Canal]] – however displaced first by the railway and then the car, it is no longer commercially used for the transport of goods or people.{{citation needed|date=January 2018}} The town of Mullingar is also linked to [[Lough Ennell]] via [[Lacy's Canal]] and the [[River Brosna]].

=== Railways ===

[[File:Mullingar railway station and carpark.jpg|thumb|Mullingar railway station and carpark]]

The [[Midland Great Western Railway]] line to Mullingar from Dublin opened in stages from 1846 to 1848, arriving in Mullingar on 2 October 1848. This was to a temporary station, adjacent to the [[Greyhound racing|greyhound stadium]]. The original mainline ran from Dublin ([[Broadstone Station]]) to [[Galway]] via Mullingar, then via [[Moate railway station|Moate]] to [[Athlone]], the Mullingar to [[Galway]] section opening in August 1851. The [[Mullingar railway station|present station]] opened with the branch line to [[Longford]] on 14 December 1855.

There were two secondary stations in Mullingar, the Canal Crossing cattle bank which was on the Sligo line and, on the [[Athlone]] line, Newbrook [[racecourse]] which had its own station. This was a two-platformed station with both platforms on the Down Line.

Currently, the [[Dublin-Sligo railway line]] northwest to [[Longford railway station|Longford]] and [[Sligo railway station|Sligo]] is the mainline, [[Galway railway station|Galway]] is accessed from [[Heuston Station]] via [[Portarlington railway station|Portarlington]]. Mullingar station is served by national rail company [[Iarnród Éireann]]'s ''Arrow'' commuter services to [[Dublin]] and ''InterCity'' trains to/from [[Sligo]].

The line between Mullingar and [[Athlone railway station|Athlone]] has been transformed into the Old Rail Trail, a 43 kilometer cycle path linking the [[River Shannon]] in Athlone to the [[Royal Canal]] in Mullingar.<ref>{{cite web |author=<!-- not stated --> |title=OLD RAIL TRAIL WESTMEATH |url=https://greenwaysireland.org/old-rail-trail-westmeath/|access-date= June 3, 2025}}</ref>

The [[Railway Preservation Society of Ireland]] have a secondary base in the town. There is a photo survey of the disused Athlone Line via [[Moate railway station|Moate]].

== Healthcare ==

[[File:Midlands Regional Hospital, Mullingar.jpg|thumb|Midland Regional Hospital, Mullingar]]

The Midland Regional Hospital at Mullingar serves the Longford-Westmeath area. An extension was built in the early 1990s.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://sistersofmercy.ie/ireland_britain/northern/pdfs/more_mullingar.pdf|title=Midland Regional Hospital, Mullingar|publisher=Sisters of Mercy|access-date=15 April 2020|archive-date=20 November 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171120182911/http://www.sistersofmercy.ie/ireland_britain/northern/pdfs/more_mullingar.pdf|url-status=live}}</ref> A change in government, however, halted investment and the extension lay as an empty shell until late 2006 when funding was finally secured to ensure its completion.{{citation needed|date=January 2018}} There are several other hospitals in the town: [[St. Loman's Hospital, Mullingar|St Loman's]], which provides psychiatric services to the Midlands; St Mary's, a care centre for older people; and the St Francis Private Hospital.

== Education ==

The town has several primary schools, including a number run under the Catholic ethos, a Church of Ireland school, a non-denominational [[Educate Together]] primary school, and two [[Gaelscoil|Irish language primary schools]].<ref>{{cite web|url = https://www.schooldays.ie/primary-schools-in-ireland/primary-westmeath | website = schooldays.ie | title = Primary Schools - Westmeath | accessdate = 9 April 2022 }}</ref> Local second-level schools include [[Coláiste Mhuire, Mullingar|Coláiste Mhuire]], the town's oldest post-primary school, [[St. Finian's College|St Finian's College]], [[Loreto College Mullingar]]<ref name="loretomullingar.com">{{cite web|url=http://www.loretomullingar.com/|title=Index of /|website=www.loretomullingar.com|access-date=6 March 2009|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090227045942/http://loretomullingar.com/|archive-date=27 February 2009|url-status=live}}</ref> and Mullingar Community College.<ref name="mullingarcc.ie">{{cite web|url=http://www.mullingarcc.ie/|title=Mullingar Community College|website=www.mullingarcc.ie|access-date=18 November 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131118231112/http://www.mullingarcc.ie/|archive-date=18 November 2013|url-status=live}}</ref>

Coláiste Mhuire is primarily a boys school,<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.cbsmullingar.ie/history|title=The History of Coláiste Mhuire - The Hevey Institute|website=www.cbsmullingar.ie|access-date=15 April 2020|archive-date=22 October 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201022181255/https://www.cbsmullingar.ie/history|url-status=live}}</ref> however, the repeat [[Irish Leaving Certificate|Leaving Certificate]] class is co-educational.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.cbsmullingar.ie/repeat-lc-info-and-application|title=Repeat Leaving Certificate (6R)|website=www.cbsmullingar.ie|access-date=15 April 2020|archive-date=22 October 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201022180412/https://www.cbsmullingar.ie/repeat-lc-info-and-application|url-status=live}}</ref> Just to the north of Mullingar on the old Longford Road is [[St. Finian's College|St Finian's College]]. Until 2003, St Finian's was an all-boys boarding school; however, in 2003, the decision was made to phase out the boarding school by 2007, and to admit girls as well as boys.<ref>{{cite journal|url=http://www.irishidentity.com/extras/gaels/stories/finians.htm|title=Seat of Learning|journal=Maroon and White, Westmeath GAA Yearbook|publisher=Irish Identity|year=2003|access-date=27 April 2020|archive-date=4 March 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160304001345/http://www.irishidentity.com/extras/gaels/stories/finians.htm|url-status=live}}</ref> Loreto College for girls is the largest secondary school in the town,<ref name="loretomullingar.com"/> while Mullingar Community College is a co-educational school for boys and girls.<ref name="mullingarcc.ie"/> The Community College also runs evening courses for adults and awards the [[FETAC]] certificates.

[[Wilson's Hospital School]], a co-educational boarding school, operates under the patronage of the [[Church of Ireland]] (Anglican Communion). It is located in the nearby village of [[Multyfarnham]]. It serves day students from the Mullingar area.

St. Joseph's Secondary School, a co-educational school located in the nearby village of [[Rochfortbridge]], also serves the Mullingar area.{{citation needed|date=October 2022}}

== Culture ==

[[File:Áras an Mhuilinn, An Muileann gCearr Mullingar (2022).jpg|thumb|Áras an Mhuilinn, the Regional Resource Centre of [[Comhaltas Ceoltóirí Éireann]] in the Midlands, is based on Mount Street]]

[[File:Earl Street, Mullingar, Co. Westmeath (26583173053).jpg|thumb|Earl Street, Mullingar, in the late 19th century]]

===Media===

Two print newspapers serve the community: the ''Westmeath Examiner''<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.westmeathexaminer.ie/|title=Westmeath Examiner|website=Westmeath Examiner|access-date=19 December 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181221031419/https://www.westmeathexaminer.ie/|archive-date=21 December 2018|url-status=live}}</ref> and the ''[[Westmeath Topic]]''.

=== Music ===

[[File:Mullingar Arts Centre, 2021-07-22.jpg|thumb|[[Mullingar Arts Centre]]]]

The Mullingar Town Band was founded in 1879 by Father Polland as a Holy Family Confraternity Band.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://local.mobhaile.ie/mullingartownband/Home/BandHistory/tabid/13631/Default.aspx|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20090805191725/http://local.mobhaile.ie/mullingartownband/Home/BandHistory/tabid/13631/Default.aspx|url-status=dead|title=mobhaile.ie|archivedate=5 August 2009|website=local.mobhaile.ie}}</ref> The local military barracks supplied some of the early members, who themselves were serving members of the British Regimental bands stationed in Mullingar. The Mullingar Confraternity Band remained under the auspices of the Confraternity until the 1940s, when it was handed over to a committee and continued under the title of Mullingar Brass and Reed Band. The band has a dual role as a concert band and a marching band (the latter known as the Celtic Crusaders).<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.westmeathexaminer.ie/2019/05/21/town-band-to-mark-140-years-of-history-with-major-concert/|title=Town Band to mark 140 years of history with major concert|work=[[Westmeath Examiner]]|first=Olga|last=Aughey|date=21 May 2019|access-date=15 April 2020|archive-date=1 September 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190901201925/https://www.westmeathexaminer.ie/2019/05/21/town-band-to-mark-140-years-of-history-with-major-concert/|url-status=live}}</ref> In 2017, the Celtic Crusaders won the Irish Marching Band Association League.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.westmeathexaminer.ie/2017/09/06/mullingar-town-band-celtic-crusaders-win-all-ireland-title/|title=Mullingar Town Band Celtic Crusaders win All Ireland title|work=[[Westmeath Examiner]]|first=Brian|last=O'Loughlin|date=6 September 2017|access-date=26 April 2020|archive-date=2 September 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190902182804/https://www.westmeathexaminer.ie/2017/09/06/mullingar-town-band-celtic-crusaders-win-all-ireland-title/|url-status=live}}</ref>

First opened in 1989, "The Stables" is a music venue in Mullingar, which critic and writer Ronan Casey described as an "essential" stop for national touring acts.<ref name=casey-stables>{{cite web |last = Casey |first = Ronan |title = The Stables celebrates twenty years |url = http://ronancasey.ie/2009/12/the-stables-celebrates-twenty-years/ |publisher = Ronan Casey |access-date = 9 May 2011 |url-status = live |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20110826085748/http://ronancasey.ie/2009/12/the-stables-celebrates-twenty-years/ |archive-date = 26 August 2011 }}</ref>

[[Niall Horan]], born and raised in Mullingar, is a former member of the [[boy band]] [[One Direction]]. Horan has won four [[Brit Awards]] and four [[MTV Video Music Awards]] with One Direction. [[Niall Breslin]], from the band [[The Blizzards]], is also from Mullingar. [[The Academic]] is another local band. Mullingar native Tanya O'Callaghan is the bass player with the band [[Whitesnake]],<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.independent.ie/entertainment/music/whitesnakes-tanya-ocallaghan-if-you-cant-live-on-the-road-with-people-youre-not-going-to-cut-it-it-isnt-for-the-faint-hearted/41868929.html|title=Whitesnake's Tanya O'Callaghan — 'If you can't live on the road with people, you're not going to cut it. It isn't for the faint-hearted'|date=30 July 2022|website=www.independent.ie}}</ref> Tanya was also bassist for solo projects for [[Iron Maiden]] singer [[Bruce Dickinson]], and solo projects for [[Twisted Sister]] singer [[Dee Snider]].

Live venues include the [[Mullingar Arts Centre]].<ref>{{cite news|url= https://www.irishtimes.com/news/old-county-hall-converted-into-state-of-the-art-theatre-for-the-midlands-1.213465 |title= Old county hall converted into state of the art theatre for the midlands|date=12 November 1998|newspaper=The Irish Times| access-date=24 November 2023}}</ref>

In 1951, 1963, 2022, and 2023 Mullingar hosted the ''[[Fleadh Cheoil]]''.<ref>{{cite web|url = https://comhaltas.ie/fleadh/venues/ | website = comhaltas.ie | title = Previous locations | accessdate = 4 June 2025 }}</ref>

=== In popular culture ===

[[File:Knockdrin a.jpg|thumb|[[Knockdrin Castle]] lies outside Mullingar town]]

The town is mentioned in a number of songs, including "The Reason I Left Mullingar" (written in 1980 and sung by [[The Furey Brothers]]),<ref>{{cite web |url = http://www.patcooksey.com/lyric_mullingar.html |title = PAT COOKSEY – The Reason I Left Mullingar Lyric |first = Pat |last = Cooksey |website = www.patcooksey.com |access-date = 17 November 2017 |url-status = live |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20160221001320/http://www.patcooksey.com/lyric_mullingar.html |archive-date = 21 February 2016 }}</ref> "Ode in Praise of The City of Mullingar" (written by William J Macquorn Rankine),<ref>{{cite web |url = https://archive.org/details/songsandfablesil00rankuoft |title = Songs and fables. Illus. by F.B |first = William John Macquorn |last = Rankine |date = 17 November 1874 |publisher = Glasgow J. Maclehose |access-date = 17 November 2017 |via = Internet Archive |url-status = live |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20160310142315/https://archive.org/details/songsandfablesil00rankuoft |archive-date = 10 March 2016 }}</ref> "The Rocky Road to Dublin" (by ''[[The Dubliners]]''),<ref>[http://reelsoundtrack.wordpress.com/2009/12/27/sherlock-holmes-soundtrack/ Sherlock Holmes Soundtrack Is Anything But Elementary] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100329163138/http://reelsoundtrack.wordpress.com/2009/12/27/sherlock-holmes-soundtrack/ |date=29 March 2010 }}. Reelsoundtrack.wordpress.com.</ref> and ''[[Pat of Mullingar]]'' (an Irish rebel song). Mullingar is also mentioned towards the end of the song "Horse Outside" by the [[Rubberbandits]].

Mullingar is also associated with Irish author [[James Joyce]], who was an occasional visitor to Mullingar during his youth. Joyce's father, John, was a civil servant posted from Dublin to compile an electoral register of Mullingar and the surrounding townlands. He often stayed in the [[Greville Arms Hotel]]. James referred to Mullingar in three of his novels, mentioning it twelve times in [[Ulysses (novel)|Ulysses]],<ref>[http://www.online-literature.com/james_joyce/ulysses/ Online-literature.com] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100419125610/http://www.online-literature.com/james_joyce/ulysses/ |date=19 April 2010 }}, Retrieved 3 August 2010.</ref> in chapter 14 of [[Stephen Hero]],<ref>{{usurped|1=[https://web.archive.org/web/20101129092725/http://robotwisdom.com/jaj/portrait/shero.html James Joyce's ''Stephen Hero'']}}, ''robotwisdom.com'', Retrieved 9 August 2010.</ref> and three times in [[Finnegans Wake]].<ref>[http://www.trentu.ca/faculty/jjoyce/ Searchable online text of ''Finnegans Wake''] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100408080247/http://www.trentu.ca/faculty/jjoyce/ |date=8 April 2010 }}, [[Trent University]], Peterborough, ON, Canada. Retrieved 3 August 2010. (Note that this [[e-text]] contains errors, many of which are listed at [http://www.fweet.org/pages/fw_typo.php F.W.E.E.T.] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100412150133/http://www.fweet.org/pages/fw_typo.php |date=12 April 2010 }})</ref><ref>[http://www.trentu.ca/faculty/jjoyce/fw-138.htm ''Finnegans Wake'': Book 1, Section 6, page 138, line 19] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100330054436/http://www.trentu.ca/faculty/jjoyce/fw-138.htm |date=30 March 2010 }}, [[Trent University]]. Retrieved 3 August 2010.</ref><ref>[http://www.trentu.ca/faculty/jjoyce/fw-286.htm ''Finnegans Wake'': Book 2, Section 2, page 286, line 21] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100908083322/http://www.trentu.ca/faculty/jjoyce/fw-286.htm |date=8 September 2010 }}, in left hand column. [[Trent University]]. Retrieved 3 August 2010.</ref><ref>[http://www.trentu.ca/faculty/jjoyce/fw-345.htm ''Finnegans Wake'': Book 2, Section 3, page 345, line 34] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100401224939/http://www.trentu.ca/faculty/jjoyce/fw-345.htm |date=1 April 2010 }}, [[Trent University]]. Retrieved 3 August 2010.</ref>{{efn|Mullingar appears in [[Ulysses (novel)|Ulysses]] in the ''Calypso'' episode; in ''Lotus Eaters''; twice in ''Hades''; in ''Lestrygonians''; in ''Nausicaa''; twice in ''Oxen of the Sun''; in ''Circe''; in ''Eumaeus''; and twice in ''Ithaca''. The town is also mentioned three times in [[Finnegans Wake]] in Book 1, Section 6, page 138, line 19; in Book 2, Section 2, page 286, line 21; and in Book 2, Section 3, page 345, line 34. Mullingar does not appear in [[Dubliners]] nor in [[A Portrait of the Artist as a Young Man]].}}

Mullingar featured on ''[[Three Men in a Boat]]'' on [[BBC 2]] in December 2009, in an episode called "Three Men Go to Ireland". [[Dara Ó Briain]], [[Rory McGrath]] and [[Griff Rhys Jones]] visited Mullingar Greyhound Stadium during the episode.{{citation needed | date=March 2022}} In ''[[Doubt (2008 film)|Doubt]]'', a 2008 film adaptation of the John Patrick Shanley stage play, the town is referenced in a dialogue between the main character and the school caretaker.{{citation needed|date=June 2025}}

''[[Outside Mullingar]]'', a play by [[John Patrick Shanley]], starred ''Will and Grace'' star [[Debra Messing]].

== Sport ==

=== GAA ===

There are several [[Gaelic Athletic Association]] football clubs in the Mullingar area: Mullingar Shamrocks,<ref>[http://www.mullingarshamrocks.com/ Mullingar Shamrocks] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20021009135006/http://www.mullingarshamrocks.com/ |date=9 October 2002 }}. Mullingar Shamrocks.</ref> [[St. Loman's Mullingar GAA|St. Loman's Mullingar]], [[The Downs GAA|The Downs]]<ref>[http://www.naduntagaa.com/ The Downs GAA], {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080828220108/http://www.naduntagaa.com/ |date=28 August 2008 }}. Naduntagaa.com.</ref> and Shandonagh. St Oliver Plunkett's<ref>[http://www.stoliverplunketts.westmeath.gaa.ie/ St Oliver Plunketts Hurling Club, Mullingar] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110222053722/http://stoliverplunketts.westmeath.gaa.ie/ |date=22 February 2011 }}. Stoliverplunketts.westmeath.gaa.ie (20 October 2013).</ref> and Cullion play hurling. [[Westmeath GAA]] county team plays football and hurling at its home games at [[Cusack Park (Mullingar)|Cusack Park]].

=== Football ===

Mullingar has three adult football teams; Mullingar Athletic (who play in Gainstown),<ref>{{cite web|url=https://mullingarathleticafc.com/|title=Mullingar Athletic AFC|website=mullingarathleticafc.com|access-date=15 April 2020|archive-date=28 January 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200128051729/http://mullingarathleticafc.com/|url-status=live}}</ref> Mullingar Town (who have their grounds in D'Alton Park), and Mullingar Celtic (who play their home games in the Raithin community pitch which is shared with Grange Utd, an under 18 side).{{citation needed|date=January 2018}}

=== Tennis and badminton ===

[[File:Mullingar Tennis Club.jpg|thumb|Tennis clubhouse and courts]]

The facilities of the Mullingar Tennis and Badminton Club include eight outdoor tennis courts and a hall containing two badminton courts.<ref>{{cite web |url = http://mullingartennisandbadminton.ie/our-facilities/ |title = Tennis and Badminton. |date = 29 November 2016 |website = mullingartennisandbadminton.ie/ |url-status = live |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20161130052040/http://mullingartennisandbadminton.ie/our-facilities/ |archive-date = 30 November 2016 }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url = http://mullingartennisandbadminton.ie/club-committee/ |title = Tennis and badminton |date = 29 November 2016 |website = mullingartennisandbadminton.ie/ |url-status = live |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20161130052042/http://mullingartennisandbadminton.ie/club-committee/ |archive-date = 30 November 2016 }}</ref> The club was founded in 1892 by members of the Uisneach Badminton Club.

=== Greyhound racing ===

[[File:Levrieres Mullingar.jpg|thumb|Greyhound Track, Lynn, Mullingar]]

When programmed, greyhound track racing occurs upon the Lynn Greyhound track on Thursday and Saturday evenings.{{citation needed|date=November 2022}} The track featured on the BBC "Three Men Go to Ireland" show where [[Dara Ó Briain]]'s dog [[Snip Nua]] raced.{{citation needed|date=November 2022}}

=== Golf ===

[[Mullingar Golf Club]] was created in 1953,<ref>{{cite web |url = http://www.mullingargolfclub.ie/club/about-us/ |title = Golf |date = 29 November 2016 |website = mullingargolfclub.ie |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20171029002317/http://www.mullingargolfclub.ie/club/about-us/ |archive-date = 29 October 2017 |url-status = live }}</ref> and hosts an annual competition, the Mullingar Scratch Cup, every August. This competition has been won by [[Des Smyth]], [[Pádraig Harrington]], [[Darren Clarke]], and [[Paul McGinley]]. The 2006 winner was [[Rory McIlroy]].<ref name="scratch cup">{{cite web|url=http://www.mullingargolfclub.ie/the-scratch-cup/|title=The Scratch Cup|website=mullingargolfclub.ie|access-date=15 April 2020|archive-date=6 August 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200806163216/http://www.mullingargolfclub.ie/the-scratch-cup/|url-status=live}}</ref>

=== Boxing ===

Two-time Olympian boxer [[John Joe Nevin]] is from Mullingar. He won a silver medal in the [[bantamweight]] competition at the [[2012 Summer Olympics]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.rte.ie/news/2012/0811/333111-john-joe-nevin-on-brink-of-olympic-boxing-glory/|title=John Joe Nevin on brink of Olympic boxing glory|publisher=RTÉ|date=12 August 2012|access-date=23 August 2020|archive-date=16 May 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210516143906/https://www.rte.ie/news/2012/0811/333111-john-joe-nevin-on-brink-of-olympic-boxing-glory/|url-status=live}}</ref>

=== Hockey ===

Mullingar Hockey Club is based in Loreto College and was formed in 1979. The club has two men's teams, one lady's team and an underage section.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://twitter.com/HockeyMullingar|title=Mullingar Hockey Club|website=[[Twitter]]|access-date=29 June 2020|archive-date=11 September 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200911143332/https://twitter.com/HockeyMullingar|url-status=live}}</ref>

=== Other sports ===

Mullingar [[rugby football]] club is located in Cullionbeg. It reached the Towns Cup final in 1989.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.mullingarrfc.ie/content_page/353112/|title=Club History|website=mullingarrfc.ie|access-date=15 April 2020|archive-date=11 August 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200811030640/https://www.mullingarrfc.ie/content_page/353112/|url-status=live}}</ref>

In basketball, the Mullingar Monarchs club (formed in 2001) and Mullingar Dragons (formed in 2007) are local teams. The latter plays in the North-Eastern Basketball League.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.facebook.com/Mullingar-Dragons-Basketball-Club-146880229903/|title=Mullingar Dragons Basketball Club|website=[[Facebook]]|access-date=27 April 2020}}{{better source needed|date=March 2022}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.westmeathexaminer.ie/2009/04/21/mullingar-dragons-basketball-club/|title=Mullingar Dragons Basketball Club|work=[[Westmeath Examiner]]|date=21 April 2009|access-date=27 April 2020}}</ref>

The [[Westmeath Minotaurs]] [[American football]] club (formed in 2011) plays their games at the Mullingar Rugby Club. They compete as a member of [[American Football Ireland]].<ref>{{cite web |date=2023-09-09 |title=Home - Westmeath Minotaurs |url=https://westmeathminotaurs.com/ |access-date=5 January 2025|language=en-US | website = westmeathminotaurs.com }}</ref>

Mullingar Equestrian Centre, outside the town, hosts competitions and offers lessons.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.mullingarequestrian.com/riding-school/|title=MEC Riding School|website=mullingarequestrian.com|access-date=27 April 2020|archive-date=19 September 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200919180246/https://www.mullingarequestrian.com/riding-school/|url-status=live}}</ref> Other schools in the area include Ladestown House Riding Stables and Catherinestown Riding School.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.aire.ie/index.php/riding-centres-head/all-centres/item/195-ladestown-house-riding-stables|title=Ladestown House Riding Stables|website=Association of Irish Riding Establishments|access-date=27 April 2020|archive-date=10 August 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200810053249/https://www.aire.ie/index.php/riding-centres-head/all-centres/item/195-ladestown-house-riding-stables|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.aire.ie/index.php/riding-centres-head/all-centres/item/198-catherinestown-riding-school|title=Catherinestown Riding School|website=aire.ie|publisher=Association of Irish Riding Establishments|access-date=27 April 2020|archive-date=25 September 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200925094632/https://www.aire.ie/index.php/riding-centres-head/all-centres/item/198-catherinestown-riding-school|url-status=live}}</ref> Studs include Tally Ho Stud,<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.tallyhostud.com/|title=Tally Ho Stud|website=tallyhostud.com|access-date=27 April 2020|archive-date=3 August 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200803182120/https://www.tallyhostud.com/|url-status=live}}</ref> Cleaboy Stud,<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.irishtimes.com/news/swiss-boy-to-inherit-200-000-1.177510|title=Swiss boy to inherit £200,000|newspaper=[[The Irish Times]]|date=28 July 1998|access-date=27 April 2020}}</ref> and Charlestown Stud.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.westmeathexaminer.ie/2013/04/01/mullingar-trained-and-owned-horse-wins-irish-grand-national/|title=Mullingar trained and owned horse wins Irish Grand National|work=[[Westmeath Examiner]]|date=1 April 2013|access-date=27 April 2020|archive-date=4 September 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190904223623/https://www.westmeathexaminer.ie/2013/04/01/mullingar-trained-and-owned-horse-wins-irish-grand-national/|url-status=live}}</ref>

Other sports clubs in the area include the Midland Tigers [[Australian Rules Football]] team,<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.meathchronicle.ie/news/roundup/articles/2008/08/06/29617-meath-man-goes-waltzing-matilda/print|title=Meath man goes Waltzing Matilda|first=Jimmy|last=Geoghegan|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171117123843/http://www.meathchronicle.ie/news/roundup/articles/2008/08/06/29617-meath-man-goes-waltzing-matilda/print|archive-date=17 November 2017|work=[[Meath Chronicle]]|date=6 August 2008}}</ref> Lakeside Wheelers Mullingar Cycling club (which is affiliated to [[Cycling Ireland]]),<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.lakesidewheelers.ie/about-us|title=About Us|website=lakesidewheelers.ie|access-date=15 April 2020|archive-date=17 January 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200117091958/http://www.lakesidewheelers.ie/about-us|url-status=live}}</ref> and the Mullingar Harbour Canoe Polo Club (based on the Royal Canal).<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.mullingarcanoepolo.com/|title=Mullingar Harbour Canoe Polo|website=mullingarcanoepolo.com|access-date=23 March 2021|archive-date=4 March 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210304115300/http://mullingarcanoepolo.com/|url-status=live}}</ref>

== People ==

* [[John Alexander (VC)|John Alexander]], [[Victoria Cross]] recipient

* [[Niall Breslin]] (Bressie) and [[The Blizzards]], musicians

* [[Eugene Casserly]], [[United States Senate|U.S. Senator]] from [[California]], born in Mullingar.

* [[Breon Corcoran]], chief executive officer (CEO) of [[Betfair]]<ref name=ES>{{cite news |last1 = Blackhurst |first1 = Chris |title = Breon Corcoran: For the Betfair boss, a good Cheltenham is a safe bet |url = https://www.standard.co.uk/business/markets/breon-corcoran-for-the-betfair-boss-a-good-cheltenham-is-a-safe-bet-10090788.html |access-date = 17 June 2015 |work = Evening Standard |date = 6 March 2015 |url-status = live |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20150617124052/http://www.standard.co.uk/business/markets/breon-corcoran-for-the-betfair-boss-a-good-cheltenham-is-a-safe-bet-10090788.html |archive-date = 17 June 2015 }}</ref>

* [[Joe Dolan]], singer

* [[J. P. Donleavy]], author

* [[Wellington Guernsey]], 19th-century composer and writer

* [[Josephine Hart]], Baroness Saatchi, author and wife of [[Maurice Saatchi, Baron Saatchi|Lord Saatchi]]

* [[Niall Horan]], singer-songwriter and former member of [[One Direction]]

* [[Thomas Henry Kavanagh|Thomas Kavanagh]], recipient of the [[Victoria Cross]]

* [[Aidan Keena]], footballer

* [[Tina Kellegher]], actress

* [[Shane Lowry (golfer)]], winner of the 2019 Open Championship

* [[Terry McMahon]], actor, writer and filmmaker<ref>{{cite web |url = https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0573084/ |title = Terry McMahon |work = IMDb |url-status = live |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20150119051539/http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0573084/ |archive-date = 19 January 2015 }}</ref>

* [[Joseph Murphy (equestrian)|Joseph Murphy]], Irish equestrian Olympian 2012

* [[John Joe Nevin]], boxer

* [[Michael O'Leary (businessman)|Michael O'Leary]], CEO of Ryanair

* [[Declan Power]], defence and security analyst and author

* [[Connor Smith (footballer, born 1993)|Connor Smith]], footballer for [[Yeovil Town F.C.|Yeovil Town]], defender

* [[Ailish Tynan]] (born 1975), operatic soprano<ref>{{cite web |url = http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/profiles/1QHwbCGXmYzBryhwb5KyZRY/ireland-ailish-tynan |title = Cardiff Singer of the World, 2003 – The Final – Ireland: Ailish Tynan |publisher = BBC |date = 1 January 1970 |access-date = 20 May 2017 |url-status = live |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20171117123842/http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/profiles/1QHwbCGXmYzBryhwb5KyZRY/ireland-ailish-tynan |archive-date = 17 November 2017 }}</ref>

== Climate ==

The climate in this area has mild differences between highs and lows, and there is adequate rainfall year-round. The [[Köppen Climate Classification]] subtype for this climate is "[[Köppen climate classification#Group C: Temperate/mesothermal climates|Cfb]]" (Marine West Coast Climate/[[Oceanic climate]]).<ref>[http://www.weatherbase.com/weather/weather-summary.php3?s=17930&cityname=Mullingar%2C+Ireland&units= Climate Summary for Mullingar] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150916232125/http://www.weatherbase.com/weather/weather-summary.php3?s=17930&cityname=Mullingar%2C+Ireland&units= |date=16 September 2015 }}. Weatherbase.com.</ref> With a yearly mean of 9.3 degrees Celsius, Mullingar is the coldest place in Ireland.

{{Weather box

|___location = Mullingar [[weather station]] ([[WMO]] identifier: 03971), 100m [[amsl]], 1979–2008, extremes 1943–present

|single line = Yes

|metric first = Yes

|Jan record high C = 13.8

|Feb record high C = 15.4

|Mar record high C = 20.5

|Apr record high C = 22.6

|May record high C = 25.5

|Jun record high C = 29.8

|Jul record high C = 30.4

|Aug record high C = 29.5

|Sep record high C = 25.5

|Oct record high C = 22.9

|Nov record high C = 17.3

|Dec record high C = 14.6

|year record high C = 30.4

|Jan high C = 7.4

|Feb high C = 7.9

|Mar high C = 9.8

|Apr high C = 12.1

|May high C = 14.9

|Jun high C = 17.3

|Jul high C = 19.2

|Aug high C = 18.9

|Sep high C = 16.7

|Oct high C = 13.2

|Nov high C = 9.9

|Dec high C = 7.9

|year high C = 12.9

|Jan mean C = 4.5

|Feb mean C = 4.7

|Mar mean C = 6.3

|Apr mean C = 8.1

|May mean C = 10.6

|Jun mean C = 13.2

|Jul mean C = 15.2

|Aug mean C = 14.8

|Sep mean C = 12.8

|Oct mean C = 9.7

|Nov mean C = 6.7

|Dec mean C = 5.0

|year mean C = 9.3

|Jan low C = 1.5

|Feb low C = 1.5

|Mar low C = 2.8

|Apr low C = 4.1

|May low C = 6.3

|Jun low C = 9.2

|Jul low C = 11.1

|Aug low C = 10.8

|Sep low C = 8.9

|Oct low C = 6.2

|Nov low C = 3.5

|Dec low C = 2.2

|year low C = 5.7

|Jan record low C = -14.9

|Feb record low C = -12.2

|Mar record low C = -9.2

|Apr record low C = -4.4

|May record low C = -2.6

|Jun record low C = 0.2

|Jul record low C = 3.4

|Aug record low C = 2.1

|Sep record low C = -0.1

|Oct record low C = -4.4

|Nov record low C = -6.9

|Dec record low C = -14.1

|year record low C = -14.9

|precipitation colour = green

|Jan precipitation mm = 91.7

|Feb precipitation mm = 72.0

|Mar precipitation mm = 78.3

|Apr precipitation mm = 62.1

|May precipitation mm = 68.7

|Jun precipitation mm = 70.5

|Jul precipitation mm = 61.8

|Aug precipitation mm = 80.8

|Sep precipitation mm = 73.8

|Oct precipitation mm = 102.1

|Nov precipitation mm = 82.4

|Dec precipitation mm = 97.1

|year precipitation mm = 941.3

|unit precipitation days = 0.2 mm

|Jan precipitation days = 19

|Feb precipitation days = 17

|Mar precipitation days = 20

|Apr precipitation days = 15

|May precipitation days = 16

|Jun precipitation days = 16

|Jul precipitation days = 16

|Aug precipitation days = 17

|Sep precipitation days = 17

|Oct precipitation days = 19

|Nov precipitation days = 18

|Dec precipitation days = 19

|year precipitation days = 209

|Jan snow days = 5.0

|Feb snow days = 4.4

|Mar snow days = 3.5

|Apr snow days = 1.6

|May snow days = 0.2

|Jun snow days = 0.0

|Jul snow days = 0.0

|Aug snow days = 0.0

|Sep snow days = 0.0

|Oct snow days = 0.0

|Nov snow days = 0.4

|Dec snow days = 2.7

|year snow days = 17.8

|Jan humidity = 83.4

|Feb humidity = 77.8

|Mar humidity = 72.8

|Apr humidity = 68.1

|May humidity = 67.1

|Jun humidity = 69.1

|Jul humidity = 69.9

|Aug humidity = 70.6

|Sep humidity = 72.1

|Oct humidity = 77.0

|Nov humidity = 82.2

|Dec humidity = 85.9

|year humidity = 74.7

| Jan dew point C =3

| Feb dew point C =3

| Mar dew point C =3

| Apr dew point C =5

| May dew point C =7

| Jun dew point C =10

| Jul dew point C =12

| Aug dew point C =11

| Sep dew point C =10

| Oct dew point C =8

| Nov dew point C =5

| Dec dew point C =3

|Jan sun = 55.8

|Feb sun = 70.6

|Mar sun = 99.2

|Apr sun = 147.0

|May sun = 179.8

|Jun sun = 150.0

|Jul sun = 142.6

|Aug sun = 142.6

|Sep sun = 117.0

|Oct sun = 99.2

|Nov sun = 66.0

|Dec sun = 49.6

|year sun =

|Jand sun = 1.8

|Febd sun = 2.5

|Mard sun = 3.2

|Aprd sun = 4.9

|Mayd sun = 5.8

|Jund sun = 5.0

|Juld sun = 4.6

|Augd sun = 4.6

|Sepd sun = 3.9

|Octd sun = 3.2

|Novd sun = 2.2

|Decd sun = 1.6

|yeard sun = 3.6

|source 1 = Met Éireann<ref>{{cite web |url = http://www.met.ie/climate-ireland/1981-2010/mullingar.html |title = Mullingar 1979–2008 averages |publisher = [[Met Éireann]] |access-date = 13 October 2016 |url-status = live |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20160304051533/http://www.met.ie/climate-ireland/1981-2010/mullingar.html |archive-date = 4 March 2016 }}</ref><ref name=absmax>{{cite web |url = http://www.met.ie/climate-ireland/extreme_maxtemps.pdf |title = Absolute Maximum Air Temperatures for each Month at Selected Stations |publisher = [[Met Éireann]] |access-date = 13 October 2016 |url-status = dead |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20160304124135/http://www.met.ie/climate-ireland/extreme_maxtemps.pdf |archive-date = 4 March 2016 }}</ref><ref name=absmin>{{cite web |url = http://www.met.ie/climate-ireland/extreme-mintemps.pdf |title = Absolute Minimum Air Temperatures for each Month at Selected Stations |publisher = [[Met Éireann]] |access-date = 13 October 2016 |url-status = dead |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20170129063649/http://www.met.ie/climate-ireland/extreme-mintemps.pdf |archive-date = 29 January 2017 }}</ref>

|source 2 =[https://www.timeanddate.com/weather/ireland/mullingar/climate Time and Date] (dewpoints, between 2005−2015)<ref>{{cite web

|url = https://www.timeanddate.com/weather/ireland/mullingar/climate

|title = Climate & Weather Averages at Mullingar weather station

|publisher = Time and Date

|access-date = 6 February 2022}}</ref>

}}

== See also ==

* [[List of towns and villages in the Republic of Ireland|List of towns and villages in Ireland]]

* [[List of market houses in the Republic of Ireland]]

== Notes ==

{{Notelist}}

== References ==

{{reflist|colwidth=30em}}

== Further reading ==

* {{cite book |author = Seamus O'Brien |year = 1999 |title = Famine and Community in Mullingar Poor Law Union, 1845–49 |publisher = Irish Academic Press |isbn = 0-7165-2678-6 }}

* {{cite book |author = Matt Nolan |year = 1999 |title = Mullingar: Just for the Record |publisher = Crigean P. |isbn = 0-9537651-0-5 }}

* {{cite book |author = Mary Farrell |year = 2002 |title = Mullingar: Essays on the History of a Midlands Town |publisher = Westmeath County Library |isbn = 0-9506016-3-2 }}

* {{cite book |author = Leo Daly |year = 1975 |title = James Joyce and the Mullingar Connection |url = https://archive.org/details/jamesjoycemullin0000daly |url-access = registration |publisher = Dolmen P |isbn = 0-85105-266-5 }}

== External links ==

{{Commons category}}

{{wikivoyage|Mullingar}}

{{NIE Poster}}

* [http://www.mullingarchamber.ie/ Mullingar Chamber of Commerce]

* [https://mullingar.ie/ Mullingar.ie]

* [https://www.westmeathcoco.ie/en/ourservices/library/explorewestmeath/inthepast/mullingar/ Westmeath County Council – Mullingar]

{{County Westmeath}}

{{Largest urban areas in the Republic of Ireland by population|state=collapsed}}

{{authority control}}

[[Category:Mullingar| ]]

[[Category:County towns in the Republic of Ireland]]

[[Category:Towns and villages in County Westmeath]]