New local audio trail on Oliver Goldsmith's literary heritage

A number of Glasson-area locations associated with the writer Oliver Goldsmith are included in a new audio trail completed by The Goldsmith Literary Festival Committee.

The group secured funding for the project from the Heritage Council, along with assistance from Westmeath County Council heritage and tourism officers.

The audio trail will include excerpts from the life and times of one of the region's most famous 18th-century writers at several key historical sites associated with his life, including the Three Jolly Pigeons, the School House, the Busy Mill, Lissoy Parsonage, Kilkenny-West (decent church), the Ale House and the Hawthorn Bush.

The group holds an annual festival celebrating this immense literary heritage, and the new audio trail will now provide a year-round opportunity for visitors and locals alike to learn about and appreciate the writings of Oliver Goldsmith and his connection with important historical sites in the locality.

To build momentum around the project, a tour of all local Goldsmith sites was held during Heritage week in August, where readings and stories linked to the iconic writer's celebrated works were shared with a strong turnout of attendees.

Seamus McCormack, president of the Oliver Goldsmith Literary Festival Committee, said: “We are very grateful to the Heritage Council for supporting and funding the development of our new Goldsmith Heritage and Literary Digital and Audio trail.”

The audio trail will be available at visitwestmeath.ie/see-and-do/heritage and QR-code signage will be erected on the sites, with the Three Jolly Pigeons Pub as the trail head.

The committee of the Goldsmith Literary Festival consists of President Seamus McCormack, Joe Farrell, Donall MacAnBheátha, Tom Seery, James Delaney, Ursula McGoey, Michael Griffin, Sean Ryan, Michael Conlon, Willie Dowler, and Ciara Moughty.