| County
Westmeath from Samuel Lewis' Topographical
Directory of Ireland 1837
Westmeath
 is a landlocked county in
the Provence of Leinster
it is surrounded by the counties of Offaly to the south Roscommen
and Longford to the west Cavan to the north and Meath to the
east it, the name comes from the Irish Iar-Mhí,
from Mide, "the middle kingdom" it has an area of 1,763
sq km (681 sq MI). The principal rivers are
the Shannon and the Brosna.
It is renowned for its beautiful scenery
it's lakes and luscious pasture land on which are reared some
of Ireland's finest cattle, it is one of the flattest of Ireland's
counties the highest point being about 850 ft (260 M) situated
as it is in Ireland's central plain.
The county has
an extensive waterway system, the Royal
Canal passes through the county from Dublin through Mullingar
on its journey west. It is possible to travel to Beleek and
Enniskillen (Co Fermanagh) to Limerick City in the west and
to Waterford and New Ross in the south using the Royal canal
and the Grand
Canal. |
The 
county has many
lakes the largest of which is Lough Ree other lakes are Lough
Ennell, Lene, Owel and Lough Derravaragh as well
as many other smaller lakes and rivers. This abundance of lakes
and waterways makes Westmeath an anglers
paradise. Lough Derravaragh has been assured of a place in Irish
mythological with the story of the Children
of Lir who are said to have spent 300 years as swans
on the lake.
Westmeath has seen much conflict, its rich
pasture land the target of warring Irish tribes and
successive waves of invaders
including the Vikings,
Anglo Normans
and finally with the plantation. In the county are the ruins of
many Abbeys
and Castles
The county's main industry is agriculture,
Tourism also makes an important contribution to the economy, there
are some small industry such as the manufacture of
textiles, wool tweed, cotton and linen. Mullingar
is a thriving town with a famous livestock Market.
As a holiday destination Westmeath has a
lot to offer with angling,
boating, golf
and equestrian
centres not forgetting the beautiful scenery and accommodation
ranging from five star
hotels, self catering, hostel's
and camp sites.
