| County Westmeath Contae na hIarmhí |
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| Province: | Leinster | |
| County seat: | Mullingar | |
| Code: | WH | |
| Area: | 1,764 km² | |
| Population (2006) | 79,403 | |
| Website: www.westmeathcoco.ie | ||
County Westmeath (Irish: Contae na hIarmhí) is a county situated in the Irish midlands, also popularly called the "Lake county" in the western part of the province of Leinster. Poetic description This dinnseanchas poem named Ard Ruide (Ruide Headland poetically describes the kingdoms of Ireland Leinster (ˈlɛnstər Irish: Laighin, lainʲ one of the Provinces of Ireland, lies in the east of Ireland and comprises the counties of A county town is the 'capital' of a County in the United Kingdom or Republic of Ireland. Mullingar ( An Muileann gCearr in Irish, meaning "the left-handed or wry mill" is the administrative centre of County Westmeath, Ireland Registration marks on Number plates in Ireland issued since 1987 have the format YY-CC-SSSSSS where the components are YY &mdash a 2-digit Area is a Quantity expressing the two- Dimensional size of a defined part of a Surface, typically a region bounded by a closed Curve. In Biology a population is the collection of inter-breeding organisms of a particular Species; in Sociology Irish (ga ''Gaeilge'' is a Goidelic language of the Indo-European language family originating in Ireland and historically spoken by the Irish. A county is a Land area of Regional Government within a larger State. The Irish midlands are made up of the central plain of Ireland. Leinster (ˈlɛnstər Irish: Laighin, lainʲ one of the Provinces of Ireland, lies in the east of Ireland and comprises the counties of Area: 1,764 km². The county was once part of the ancient province of Meath and later of County Meath. "Ancient" redirects here For other uses see Ancient_(disambiguation. County Meath (Contae na Mí is a county in Ireland, often informally called The Royal County This association ended in 1543 when County Westmeath was created under the Counties of Meath and Westmeath Act.
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Towns and villages in Westmeath
- Athlone, Ballymore
- Castlepollard, Castletown-Geoghegan, Collinstown, Coole
- Delvin
- Finnea, Fore
- Glasson
- Horseleap
- Kilbeggan, Killucan, Kinnegad, Knockdrin
- Moate, Mullingar, Multyfarnham
- Raharney, Rochfortbridge, Rosemount
Westmeath is bordered by the counties of Cavan, Longford, Meath, Offaly and Roscommon. Athlone ( is a town that lies on the River Shannon near the southern extremity of Lough Ree, Ireland. Ballymore may refer to Ballymore, an Irish property company Ballymore County Donegal, Ireland Ballymore County Westmeath Castlepollard ( Cionn Torc, "boars' hill" in Irish; also Baile na gCros, "cross town" is a small town with a population of under 1000 Castletown-Geoghegan (Baile Chaisleáin Mhic Eoghagáin is a small town situated south west of Lough Ennell and south of Mullingar, in County Westmeath Collinstown (Baile na gCailleach is an expanding village in County Westmeath, situated on the R395 Regional road 18 km northeast of the county town of Coole may refer to Coole River, a tributary of the Marne river France Coole Marne, a commune in the Marne department France Delvin ( Irish: Dealbhna or Dealbhna Mhór) is a small town in north County Westmeath, Ireland located on the N52 Finea ( which in English means 'wood of the ford' is a small village in County Westmeath on the border with County Cavan. Glasson may refer to Glassan, in County Westmeath Ireland Glasson Maryport, in Cumbria England Glasson Wigton Horseleap (An Chapail is a town situated upon the Offaly, Westmeath county border in Ireland, on the R446, formerly the main Dublin to Galway Kilbeggan ( is a town in County Westmeath, Ireland. Geography Kilbeggan is situated on the River Brosna, in the south of County The villages of Killucan (Cill Lucaine Church of Lucan and Rathwire (Ráth Guaire Fort of Guaire nestle closely together in gentle rolling countryside in the east Kinnegad ( Cionn Átha Gad in Irish) is a town on the County Westmeath / County Meath border Ireland. Knockdrin is an area north of Mullingar, in County Westmeath, Ireland. Moate (An Móta is a Town in County Westmeath, Ireland. The name An Móta is derived from the term Motte-and-bailey as Mullingar ( An Muileann gCearr in Irish, meaning "the left-handed or wry mill" is the administrative centre of County Westmeath, Ireland Multyfarnham ( Muilte Farannáin in Irish) is a town located in County Westmeath, Ireland, and is adjacent to the monastery and the formerly noted Raharney (Ráth Athairne Aharny's fort is a village in the east of the County Westmeath. Rochfortbridge (Droichead Chaisleán Loiste is a Village in County Westmeath, Ireland with a population of 1382 in 2002 Rosemount ( Irish: Baile an Bhric Óig) is a village in, County Westmeath, Ireland in the rolling countryside north of Moate. County Cavan ( Contae an Chabháin in Irish) is a County in Ireland. County Longford (Contae an Longfoirt is a county situated in the Irish Midlands, in northwest Leinster. County Meath (Contae na Mí is a county in Ireland, often informally called The Royal County County Offaly (Contae Uíbh Fhailí is a County in Leinster, Ireland, bordered by seven other counties Galway, Roscommon, Westmeath Not to be confused with Roscommon County Michigan, United States County Roscommon (Contae Ros Comáin is a County located in central Ireland
Demographics
Mullingar with a population 18,529 is the county administrative centre, and has the largest urban population of the county. Mullingar ( An Muileann gCearr in Irish, meaning "the left-handed or wry mill" is the administrative centre of County Westmeath, Ireland In Biology a population is the collection of inter-breeding organisms of a particular Species; in Sociology Athlone (population 16,888), Moate, Kilbeggan, and Castlepollard are also important commerce and marketing centres within the county. Athlone ( is a town that lies on the River Shannon near the southern extremity of Lough Ree, Ireland. Moate (An Móta is a Town in County Westmeath, Ireland. The name An Móta is derived from the term Motte-and-bailey as Kilbeggan ( is a town in County Westmeath, Ireland. Geography Kilbeggan is situated on the River Brosna, in the south of County Castlepollard ( Cionn Torc, "boars' hill" in Irish; also Baile na gCros, "cross town" is a small town with a population of under 1000
Economy
Westmeath has traditionally been an agricultural economy. Urban development centred on market centres like Mullingar, Moate, and Kinnegad. Athlone developed due to its critical military significance in the 1500s, as it was located where the main East-West route crossed the Shannon. Mullingar got considerable advantage from the development of the Royal Canal making possible bulk transport to Dublin, and the sea. The Royal Canal (An Chanáil Ríoga is a canal originally built for freight and passenger transportation from the River Liffey at Dublin to the River Shannon Both Athlone and Mullingar developed further in significance with the construction of the Irish railway network.
After the famine the population of Westmeath dropped dramatically, and didn't recover until the late 1950s. Agriculture has always been important in Westmeath and the county is renowned for its cattle production.
Tourism in Westmeath is centred on its water amenities. The county has lakes such as Lough Derravaragh, Lough Ennell, Lough Lene, Lough Owel and Lough Ree. Lough Derravaragh ( Irish: Loch Dairbhreach) is an Irish Lough ( Lake) in County Westmeath, Ireland, north Lough Ennell ( Irish: Loch Ainninn) is a Lake near the town of Mullingar - the county town of Westmeath in Ireland. Lough Lene is situated in North Westmeath ( Irish: "Iarmhí " between the Villages of Castlepollard, Collinstown and Lough Owel is a Lough in the Midlands of Ireland, situated North of Mullingar, the county town of Westmeath. Lough Ree ( Loch Rí in Irish, formerly Loch Ríbh) is a Lake in the midlands of Ireland, the second of the three major lakes on the Both the Grand Canal, and the Royal Canal go through Westmeath, and the Shannon (Ireland's key tourism waterway) has a considerable inland harbour in Athlone.
The development of industry in Westmeath was based on food processing and consumer products. Whiskey production in Kilbeggan, tobacco processing in Mullingar, and the meat trade were prominent. In recent times, the drug company élan has located in Athlone. Élan Corporation plc () is a major drugs firm based in Athlone, County Westmeath, Ireland which has major interests in the United States. The district to the East of Mullingar is now part of the commuter belt serving the technology parks on the western side of Dublin, proving popular with people who wish to work in Leixlip, County Kildare. Commuting is the process of Travelling between one's place of residence and regular place of work Dublin (ˈdʌblɨn/ /ˈdʊblɨn or /ˈdʊbəlɪn/, bˠalʲə aːha klʲiəh or cliə(ɸ is both the largest city and capital of Ireland. County Kildare (Contae Chill Dara is an Irish County located to the southwest of Dublin in the province of Leinster.
Infrastructure
Agriculture
Westmeath cattle
Mullingar Heifers
As the Golden Vale is to dairy produce, Mullingar Cattle are farmed for their high quality beef, veal, fattened upon the plains of Meath and Westmeath. Midlands Gateway or Lake-Counties Gateway Centered between the major Irish airports of Dublin, Shannon, and Knock, with ever improving ground infrastructure National Development Plan ( NDP, Plean Forbartha Náisiúnta is the title given by the Irish Government to a scheme of organised large-scale expenditure on (mainly Transport 21 is an Irish Infrastructure plan announced on 1 November 2005 in Dublin Castle by the then Irish Minister for Rail Users Ireland (previously Platform 11) is a rail transport pressure group in Ireland whose agenda is centred on the idea that there is an economic case for expanding The Golden Vale / An Mhachaire Mhéith is an area of undulating green Pastures hills and mountainsSituated in the Southwest region of Ireland, on the borders Much of the country's weaned cattle, in particular, cattle from west of the Shannon, west of Athlone, arrive upon the Westmeath, Meath grasslands, for final fattening before they are conditioned for human consumption. The River Shannon ( Sionainn or Sionna in Irish) is at 386 km (240 miles the longest river in Ireland. Athlone ( is a town that lies on the River Shannon near the southern extremity of Lough Ree, Ireland. Grasslands (also called greenswards) are areas where the Vegetation is dominated by Grasses ( Poaceae) and other Herbaceous (non-woody This is also true to a lesser extent for other neighbouring counties, Cavan and Offaly pastures. County Cavan ( Contae an Chabháin in Irish) is a County in Ireland. County Offaly (Contae Uíbh Fhailí is a County in Leinster, Ireland, bordered by seven other counties Galway, Roscommon, Westmeath
These cattle are also employed to maintain grassland for wildlife for example, within the surrounding areas fringing the Bog of Allen. The Bog of Allen ( Móin Alúine in Irish is a large Peat Bog in the centre of Ireland between the rivers Liffey and Shannon They are often used in some of the wildest places for livestock. Depending upon their breed, certain cattle are more suited to hill grazing, heaths, marshes, and moors. Today, consequential to specialisation certain tendencies have become more visible in Irish farm practices. Breeds of bovine cows have become more commercial than older breeds. Breeds, such as Charolais, [1] Limousin,[1] Normande, [2] also known popularly as Short-horn, Aberdeen Angus, and Hereford,[3] for meet consumption are those most likely to be encountered in this area. As there are exceptions to all rules, there are also Holstein[4] dairy farms that possess milk quotas, who supply the dairy industry.
Typical Westmeath bovine grazing stock
The Westmeath Horse
Collinstown Westmeath
Westmeath contains many stud farms. Angus cattle is a term that refers in much of the world (though not in the United States) to either or both (collectively of two types of naturally hornless Cattle Limousin cattle are a breed of beef Cattle originally bred in the Limousin and Marche regions of France. Charolais cattle (sha-ro-lay are a beef breed of Cattle ( Bos taurus) which originated in Charolais, around Charolles, in France Hereford Cattle are a widely used breed in Temperate areas mainly for beef production Normande Cattle are a breed from the Normandy region in North West France. The Beef Shorthorn breed of Cattle was developed from the Shorthorn breed The animals are reared on the pastures allowing the bone structure to grow and form correctly. The rich plains of Westmeath, rich in calcium, marl contribute significantly to calcification of the foals bones during the formation years. Marl or Marlstone is a Calcium carbonate or lime -rich mud or Mudstone which contains variable amounts of Clays and Aragonite Westmeath mares are put into foal preferably in spring so that the foal may grow through the summer, pregnancy lasts for approximately 335-340 days and usually results in one foal (male: colt, female: filly). Twins occur very rarely. Colts are usually carried 2-7 days longer than fillies. Females 4 years and older are called mares and males are called stallions.
Note: A castrated male is a gelding. A gelding is a castrated animal &mdash in English the term specifically refers to a castrated male Horse or other Equine such as a Donkey
Horses, particularly colts, may sometimes be physically capable of reproduction at approximately 18 months but in practice are rarely allowed to breed until a minimum age of 3 or 4 years old, especially females or mares. When these Westmeath horses are about four years old, they are considered mature, even though the skeleton usually continues to develop until the animal is six years old, and the precise time of completion of development also depends on the horse's size (therefore a connection to breed exists), gender, and the quality of care provided by its owner. Also, if the horse is larger, its bones are larger; therefore, not only do the bones take longer to actually form bone tissue (bones are made of cartilage in earlier stages of bone formation), but the epiphyseal plates (two plates that fuse a bone into one piece by connecting the bone shaft to the bone extremities) are also larger and take longer to convert from cartilage to bone. These plates convert after the other parts of the bones do but are crucial to development.
Depending on maturity, breed and the tasks expected, young horses are usually put under saddle and trained to be ridden between the ages of two and four. Although Thoroughbred and Irish Draught[5] three quarter bred horse, for show jumping, and race horses are put on the track early as two years old, by some horses proprietors. The Thoroughbred is a horse breed These horses of the lake districts, (north of the county), are specifically bred for sports such as show jumping and dressage are generally not entered into top-level competition until a minimum age of four years old, because their bones and muscles are not solidly developed, nor is their advanced training complete.
For endurance riding competition, certain horses may not compete until they are a full 60 calendar months (5 years) old.
People
Notable Westmeath people include Michael O'Leary the CEO of Ryanair, Joe Dolan, broadcaster Marian Finucane, and Nuala Holloway, former Miss Ireland, model and actress, now artist and academic. Michael O'Leary (born 20 March 1961) is chief executive of the low-cost airline Ryanair. Ryanair (,) is an Irish Airline with headquarters in Dublin and its biggest operational base at London Stansted Airport in the UK Joseph "Joe" Francis Robert Dolan ( October 16 1939 &ndash December 26 2007) was an Irish Singer of Marian Finucane (born 1950) is an Irish broadcaster with Radio Telefís Éireann. Nuala Holloway is an artist academic and fluent Irish speaker Not to be confused with Miss Universe Ireland Miss Ireland is a national beauty pageant held in the Republic of Ireland each year to celebrate the country's A model is a person who is posed or displayed for the purpose of Art, Fashion, or other products and Advertising. An actor, actress, player or thespian (see terminology) is a person who Acts in a Dramatic production and who works The definition of an artist is wide-ranging and covers a broad spectrum of Activities to do with creating Art, practicing the Arts and/or demonstrating
Sport
Westmeath's main achievements in Gaelic games were winning the Leinster Senior Football Championship, or Delaney Cup, in 2004, and winning the Christy Ring Cup in hurling in 2005 and 2007. Gaelic games are the traditional sports played in Ireland. The two main Gaelic games are Gaelic football and Hurling, both of which are organised by the The GAA Leinster Senior Football Championship (sponsored by Toyota Ulster Bank Vodafone is the premier "knockout" competition in the game of football played in the province Delaney is an Irish surname derived from the Gaelic Ó Dubhshláine "MMIV" redirects here For the Modest Mouse album see " Baron von Bullshit Rides Again " The Christy Ring Cup is in effect a competition for the "Division 2" Hurling teams the so-called middle-ranking hurling teams in Ireland. Hurling (in Irish, iománaíocht or iomáint) is an outdoor team Sport of ancient Gaelic origin administered by the Gaelic Year 2005 ( MMV) was a Common year starting on Saturday (link displays full calendar of the Gregorian calendar. Year 2007 ( MMVII) was a Common year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar in the 21st century.
According to the Irish Independent, 12 December 2006, Westmeath is the goat capital of Ireland, with five times as many goats as Kerry. The Irish Independent is Ireland's largest selling daily newspaper Events 627 - Battle of Nineveh: A Byzantine army under Emperor Heraclius defeats Emperor Khosrau II 's Persian Year 2006 ( MMVI) was a Common year starting on Sunday of the Gregorian calendar. The domestic goat ( Capra aegagrus hircus) is a subspecies of goat Domesticated from the Wild goat of Southwest Asia and Eastern Europe County Kerry ( Contae Chiarraí in Irish) is a southwestern county of Ireland.
References
- ^ a b Dept of Agriculture & Food- RECOGNISED BOVINE BREEDING ORGANISATIONS
- ^ Department of Agriculture Website
- ^ The bovine genome project (Profile - Project)
- ^ Teagasc - Teagasc - Project Report - 4245 - Genetic Variants of Milk Proteins - Relevance to Milk Composition and Cheese Production
- ^ Thoroughbred horse race - Everything on Thoroughbred horse race (information, latest news, articles,...)
Images
 Mapa |
 Cosán tarraingthe canála |
 The Round-about, Castlepollard |
 An Muileann gCearr |
 Twin Towers, |
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 Saint Peter's & Pauls |
 Austin Friars An Muileann gCearr |
 Bothar Mor Mullingar Centre |
 The channel An Muileann gCearr |
 Celtic Cross at Columb |
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 Hill of Ben Fore |
 Columb Baracks, Mullingar |
 19th. Christ the King Cathedral is a Catholic Cathedral located in Mullingar, County Westmeath, Ireland. Castlepollard ( Cionn Torc, "boars' hill" in Irish; also Baile na gCros, "cross town" is a small town with a population of under 1000 Mullingar ( An Muileann gCearr in Irish, meaning "the left-handed or wry mill" is the administrative centre of County Westmeath, Ireland Athlone ( is a town that lies on the River Shannon near the southern extremity of Lough Ree, Ireland. Lough Derravaragh ( Irish: Loch Dairbhreach) is an Irish Lough ( Lake) in County Westmeath, Ireland, north } Knockeyon ( Irish: Cnoic Eoghain) when viewed from the Ranaghan, and Gillards -town side of the Hill it dominates the surrounding Lough Ennell ( Irish: Loch Ainninn) is a Lake near the town of Mullingar - the county town of Westmeath in Ireland. Situated between Lough Glore and Lough Lene, and Lough Ban the Hill of Ben dominates the valley where Fore abbey was built by De Lacy for the French Benedictine Mullingar ( An Muileann gCearr in Irish, meaning "the left-handed or wry mill" is the administrative centre of County Westmeath, Ireland Century concrete Stile, |
 19th. concrete Stile,(v1)Mass-Path, Ranaghan, Collinstown |
 Alternative 19th Century concrete Stile (v-2) chemin de la messe, Ranaghan, Collinstown |
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 Bell of Lough Lene |
 Turgesius Island, Lough Lene |
 Sun-set Lough Lene |
 The Cut Lough Lene |
 Dublin/Mullingar Train |
 Kiloutou, An Muileann gCearr (Mullingar) |
 Athlone |
 Delvin Castle, |
See also
External links
- Westmeath Census information
- Westmeath Community Development
- STRATEGIC DEVELOPMENT FRAMEWORK FOR THE MIDLANDS GATEWAY; Census stastics page 27
- Athlone Advertiser and Mullingar Advertiser local newspapers
- Local job vacancy listings online
- Westmeath County Council
- Westmeath Tourism
- Westmeath Enterprise
- Westmeath Examiner (Local Newspaper)
- Tullamore Life & Community
- Westmeath Bands
- Ardnagrath National School Website
- Rosemount GAA Website
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