Travelling by road from Dublin.

1. Follow directions to the N4 motorway (Sligo Road).

2. Once on the N4 simply follow the motorway. You will bypass Maynooth before going through the towns of Enfield and Kinnegad. Continue to follow the N4 following signs for Mullingar and Sligo.

3. Stay on the main road which will bypass Mullingar. The N4 will now take you through the small towns of Rathowen and Edgeworthstown. Once through Edgeworthstown, stay on the road and head for Longford Town.

4. When you get to Longford follow signs for the Westport Road (N5). Stay on this road which will take you through Tarmonbarry and into Strokestown.

5. Park the car in Strokestown for the weekend and have a great time.

087-6325447 (outside Ireland dial 00 353 87 6325447)

Accommodation in the Strokestown area is listed below. Much of the accommodation is unregistered but is generally of good quality.

If you want to stay in hotel accommodation you would be staying approximately 10 miles from the town. Longford, Rooskey, Lanesboro & Roscommon are the options.

Tarmonbarry is also an option with a good range of accommodation available and the road to Strokestown is of excellent quality.

There are a number of local cab companies based in Strokestown and they can provide a comprehensive and reliable service. Details will be available in the festival office during the weekend.

We will be endeavouring to add to the list of accommodation available on a regular basis. The information provided here is that which was provided at the time of our enquiry. Remember to check the rate charged and the standard of accommodation (e.g. en-suite, TV, etc.).

Feile Frank McGann cannot accept any responsibility for errors in these listings or for issues that may arise between those providing the accommodation and those availing of it. However if you should have any cause for complaint please inform us so that we can rectify the matter before next year’s festival.

LIST OF ACCOMMODATION IN STROKESTOWN & SURROUNDING AREAS

The town is set in the picturesque valley between Sliabh Ban in the southeast and the Caslin Hills to the north. These hills to the north are of enormous archaeological interest, containing unusual pre-historic fossils.Sliabh Ban or White Mountain, derives its name from the fact that the rocks which form the mountain are paler in colour i.e. sandstone and conglomerates rather than the grey limestone of the surrounding plains. It offers tourists a forest walk of c.20km ranging from 150m to 258m elevation, along with panoramic viewing points.

The Irish name of Strokestown is Bel-Ath-na-mBuilli; translated this means them mouth (ford) of the Strokes. The mouth refers to the Bumlin River that runs through the demesne and the Strokes may refer to a battle that took place in the region. Others believe that Stroke signifies the use of agricultural instruments, which would have been widely used in the past.

Strokestown is an estate town, one of the few planned towns in the county.The town falls within the final phase of estate town foundation as the new landlord system spread further west. Strokestown is located on the main east-west route between Westport and Dublin.

The town was planned around Strokestown House by the Packenham Mahon Family who wished to create the widest main street in Europe. This culminated in the Church Street/Bawn Street axis, which extends from the entrance gate of Strokestown Park House to St. John’s Heritage Centre.

Strokestown Park

Strokestown Park House is an 18th century mansion which has been faithully restored. It is unique in that it retains its original furnishings and professionally guided tours allow visitors to browse freely through the stately surroundings.

The 4 acre 18th century walled pleasure garden has been fully restored to its’ original splendour.It’s piece de resistance is its’ herbaceous border which is recorded in the Guinness Book of Records as the longest herbaceous border in Britain & Ireland.

The Famine Museum uses a combination of original documents and images from the Strokestown Park collection to explain the circumstances of the Great Irish Famine of the 1840′s. This collection boasts an extensive range of papers including actual letters written by the tenants on the Strokestown Estate at the time of the famine.

Full restaurant facilities are available where you can complement your visit from a wide ranging menu.