County Westmeath
County Westmeath (Irish: An Iarmhí) is a county situated in the Irish Midlands, in the western part of the province of Leinster. Area: 1,838 km² (710 square miles).
Athlone (pop. 15,936) on the River Shannon, Westmeath's western boundary, is the largest town, while Mullingar (pop. 15,621) is the county's administrative centre.
Other notable towns and villages in county westmeath include:
The County is famous for its cattle, lakes such as Lough Owel, pewter such as Mullingar Pewter, scenery, its canal, the drug company Elán and is rapidly becoming part of the commuter belt of Dublin.
Notable Westmeath people include Michael O'Leary, the CEO of Ryanair; Joe Dolan, a popular singer; Donie Cassidy, a well-known businessman and TD; and Mary O'Rourke, a senator and former Government minister.
