The Mary Molesworth Festival unites the communities of Rochfortbridge and welcomes visitors from surrounding areas and beyond. This free event aims to highlight the rich heritage of Rochfortbridge.

The Mary Molesworth Festival takes place on Sunday 6th April, 2025, with events from 9:30am until 6pm. 

The festival features a number of talks, demonstrations, and an art competition and exhibition. Historian Ruth Illingworth will deliver a fascinating talk on Mary Molesworth. 

There will be a free bus leaving from the carpark across from Saint Joseph's Catholic Church, Castlelost, Rochfortbridge, Co. Westmeath- N91 Y0F3. The bus will depart at 9:20am. 

 

FULL SCHEDULE

9:30am- History talk on the Rochford family with Denis O’Neill, at the Gaulstown Graveyard in Gaulstown.

11:00am- Viewing of the Robert Rochford Church Bell, facilitated by the O’Connor Family, at the Rochfortbridge Protestant Church, Main Street, Rochfortbridge

11:00am- Hot food, tea, coffee, and snacks will be on sale in St. Joseph’s canteen 

12:30pm- Tour of the Castlelost Heritage Project with John Galvin, at Castlelost Church and Graveyard 

14:30pm- Blacksmith Demonstration and Wrought Iron Gate Display in associated with Westmeath Heritage, at Boyhan’s Forge, Farthingstown. 

17:30pm- The Inaugural Mary Molesworth Lecture and Award Ceremony, with historian Ruth Illingsworth, at Convent Chapel 

Please note that the details of events listed above are provided by the relevant Local Authorities.