Mullaghmeen

Castlepollard, County Westmeath

Mullaghmeen is situated on the Meath-Westmeath border, north of Castlepollard. It is the largest beech plantation in Ireland, covering approximately 1,000 acres. This large deciduous forest also contains the highest point in County Westmeath and is managed on behalf of the state by Coillte. It was originally planted in the 1940s and the mainly beech trees are still maturing. Small areas of conifers are being replaced with new hardwoods.

From the high points in the forest there are fines views of the surrounding countryside including Lough Sheelin to the North. There are many smaller hills and areas with complex contour details and together with mature woodland make this ideal orienteering terrain and some would regard it as the finest in Ireland.

A local development company in partnership with Coillte has carried out good work in recent years by developing parking and picnic areas and nature trails. The area is still very much undiscovered by the general public. Those who know it will appreciate the natural beauty, particularly in spring and early summer when primroses and bluebells abound.

Mullaghmeen was first used for orienteering in 1984 when Setanta Orienteers organised the second day of the Irish Two-day Event. Since then it has been used for many major events, including numerous Leinster Championships. Except for a short rest period in the late 1990s and 2000, Mullaghmeen has been used almost continuously for orienteering since 1984. In 2001, following the foot and mouth outbreak, the postponed Leinster Championships event held that September was also the Irish Championships event for that year.

In October 2004 Setanta held a special 20 year anniversary event in Mullaghmeen. The results of the 20th Anniversary event can be found here and the original 1984 event results can be found here.