WESTMEATH, an inland county of Ireland in the province of Leinster, is bounded on the west by Cavan, on the east by Meath, on the south by King's county, and on the west by Roscommon and Longford, from the former of which it is separated by the Shannon. It is about 25 miles long from W. to S., and 24 from E. to W., and contains 562 English square miles, and 378,880 English acres. It is divided into 12 baronies and 62 parishes, of which 21 have churches, all of them being in the diocese of Meath.
The general aspect of this county is diversified with large lakes, woods, unproductive bogs, and rich grazing lands. The surface rises into small hills, cultivated to the top, or covered with wood.
The principal rivers are the Shannon, Inny, and the Brosna. The Shannon extends into a fine lake called Lough Ree, or the Royal Lake. The Inny, rising in Cavan, enters Lough Sheilin on the bor ders of Westmeath, and after passing through Loughs Derveragh and Iron, falls into Lough Ree. The principal lakes are Lough Bee, full of wooded islands, Loughs Shelin, Leign, Iron, Derveragh, Hoyle or Owell, and Ennel, some of which are en circled with well cultivated land, and others with low wooded hills. They are well stored with pike, perch, bream, tench, trout, and fine eels. The
trout are red and sometimes of 10 lb. weight, and, according to Mr. Young, a child with a pack thread and crooked pin may catch in an hour as many perch as will support a family for a day.
The soil is generally light, though in some places deep and rich. Most of it, lies on limestone, and yields very fine pasture, supporting a great many fine large horned cattle and long woolled sheep. Til lage is carried on upon a limited scale, but still to such an extent as to supply the home consumption, and allow the farmers to contribute to the exporta tion of oats from Drogheda. Beside thc usual crops, flax, hemp, and rape are raised; and clover and turnips to a small extent.
The principal towns are Athlone (sec ATHLONE), which is partly situated in Roscommon, Mullingar the county town, Mool-grcnogner, Kilbeggan, and a few other small places. Mullingar is a large and well built town, with extensive barracks, and car ries on a considerable trade, and the rest arc places of little note.
The county sends two members to parliament, and Athlone one. The landholders are chiefly Pro testants, but the rest of the population is catholic. Population in 1791, 69,000, and in 1821, 128,000.