Active Pursuits in Counties Galway, Westmeath and Offaly
Bicycling
Bikes can be rented from D.B. Cycles & Babyland, Unit 3, Magazine Road, Athlone, County Westmeath (090/649-2280), for around €12 per day or €70 per week.
Boating
The following companies rent cabin cruisers, usually for a minimum of 1 week, along this section of the Shannon: Athlone Cruisers, Jolly Mariner Marina, Athlone, County Westmeath (090/647-2892; acl@wmeathtc.iol.ie); and Silverline Cruisers, The Marina, Banagher, County Offaly (057/915-1112; www.silverlinecruisers.com). Crafts range from four to six berths; rates average €1,000 to €2,000 per week in high season.
Golf
Birr Golf Club, The Glens, Birr, County Offaly (057/912-0082; www.birrgolfclub.ie), is an 18-hole course on 45 hectares (111 acres) of parkland countryside; the greens fees is €20 per person.
In the Athlone area is the 18-hole Athlone Golf Club, Hodson Bay, Athlone, County Westmeath (090/649-2073; www.athlonegolfclub.ie), with greens fees of €30 weekdays, €35 weekends; and the 18-hole championship Mount Temple Golf Club, Moate, County Westmeath (tel. 090/648-1841; www.mounttemplegolfclub.com), 8km (5 miles) east of Athlone, with greens fees of €20 weekdays, €25 weekends. The Glasson Golf Hotel & Country Club, Glasson, County Westmeath (tel. 090/648-5120; www.glassongolfhotel.ie), is on the shores of Lough Ree, 10km (6 1/4 miles) north of Athlone. Greens fees are €65 Monday to Thursday, €70 Friday and Sunday, and €75 Saturday.
Lovely parkland and woodland golfing in the Lough Derg area is offered at 18-hole clubs such as Portumna Golf Club, Ennis Road, Portumna, County Galway (tel. 090/974-1059; www.portumnagolfclub.ie), with greens fees of €30 weekdays, €35 weekends.
Horse Racing
The horse racing runs from July to September at the Kilbeggan Racecourse, Loughnagore, Kilbeggan, County Westmeath (057/933-2176; www.kilbegganraces.com), off the main Mullingar road (N52), 1.6km (1 mile) from town. Tickets cost €15, €25 families (2 adults with children aged 15 or under).
