Jack’s Stop, a new café, located on the Old Rail Trail Greenway at Streamstown, the perfect halfway stop between Athlone and Mullingar, will open its doors tomorrow, Friday, March 31.
The cafe operator is Jacqueline Muldoon, a local entrepreneur with a passion for great food, great coffee and warm hospitality.
Jack’s Stop promises to be a hub for locals and visitors alike, offering delicious food and coffee right on the greenway at the Streamstown access point. The café is set in the beautifully restored Station House, with a wonderful playground right alongside and, with ample bike and car parking, it is the perfect amenity for families, walkers, cyclists, and joggers.
Cathaoirleach of Westmeath County Council, Cllr. Aengus O’Rourke, noted that the café was in a prime location on the Old Rail Trail.
“Having met Jackie and visited Jack’s Stop recently I know she will do a fantastic job. This is a beautiful coffee shop, in a superb location with ample parking, a play area for children, and great facilities. I want to wish Jackie well and I have no doubt given her enthusiasm and experience that Jack’s Stop will be a great success,” Cllr O’Rourke remarked.
A renovation project undertaken by Westmeath County Council transformed the historic buildings at the Streamstown Railway Station into a modern café and rest area with public conveniences.
“It is a fantastic destination on the greenway halfway between Athlone and Mullingar and will provide toilet and refreshment facilities for the many cyclists, runners and walkers using the greenway,” Barry Kehoe, Director of Services, Westmeath County Council, said.
Café operator, Jacqueline Muldoon expressed her gratitude to Westmeath County Council for their support and enabling the realisation of the project.
“We are grateful to Westmeath County Council for their support and collaboration in bringing Jack’s Stop to life. The building’s rich history and its location on the Old Rail Trail Greenway make it the perfect spot for a cafe, and we’re honoured to be able to preserve its heritage while creating a new community space for locals and visitors,” Jacqueline enthused.
Jack’s Stop will be open five days a week, Thursday to Monday, from 8.30am to 5.30pm, and Sunday 10am to 5pm, and along with indoor seating, the cafe will also have an outdoor seating area, making it a great location for al fresco summer dining.
“We’re looking forward to welcoming everyone to Jack’s Stop and we believe that our cafe will become a beloved local institution and a destination for visitors exploring the Old Rail Trail Greenway,” Jacqueline added.
The Old Rail Trail is a 43 km greenway that brings visitors along the historic Great Western Railway line, connecting the Royal Canal Greenway in Mullingar with the River Shannon in Athlone. Jack’s Stop will be the ideal place for cyclists to take a break and enjoy some refreshments along the way.
