Collinstown is a picturesque village overlooking Lough Lene. It has a central square that is created by the buildings around the crossroads at the heart of the village being set back from the road.
The numerous ring forts in the locality suggest that Collinstown has been inhabited from stone-age times. During early Christian times a community of nuns lived in the area, which is how the village takes its Gaelic name “Baile na gCailleach” town of veiled women. In the past the town was referred to irreverently as "the town of the hags.” There was once a convent established on the Nun's island of nearby Lough Lene, which may be where the name was derived from. Collinstown was also known in the past as Maypole. This historical name was borrowed by the Maypole pub (my favourite) situated in the town square.
What Collinstown offers for Cottage Breaks
Collinstown has been an inhabited area from pre-Christian times, as the presence of a number of Ringforts and other historic relics testifies. Though some are now overgrown they may be seen on the high ground surrounding Lough Lene. The area contains ancient burial-grounds associated with Saint Colman who was responsible for 7 early Christian cells, of which Lene and Carric are in the vicinity of Collinstown. Christian mass paths, and styles by which pilgrims travelled on foot through fields to Sunday mass date date from the penal times. Turgesius the Viking had a fortress built nearby, upon the main Lough Lene Island.
Collinstown also has historic links with several religious orders: the Irish name Baile na gCailleach is based on an association with the convent on the second island on Lough Lene. Nearby, to the north is the village of Fore and the religious and monastic complex of Fore Abbey.
Whether you choose to book a holiday cottage in Collinstown, an apartment, a lodge or another type of self-catering holiday accommodation, we hope you have your best holiday yet in Westmeath.
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