Westmeath is a county of remarkable beauty and diversity

Westmeath is a county of remarkable beauty and diversity.

Situated in the heart of Ireland, it stretches from the Shannon's Lough Ree in the West to the shores of Lough Sheelin in the North East and to Kinnegad and the Royal Canal in the South. It has an area of 710 square miles and a population of 62,000.

The county boasts one of Ireland's largest castles. Tullynally Castle, located in Castle Pollard and dating from the 17th century, is a huge structure adorned with numerous turrets and battlements.

The county's lakes are one of its greatest assets with fishing, cruising, and watersports readily available. There is a wealth of trout and coarse angling on lakes Ennell, Owel, Derravaragh, Lene, Ree and the River Shannon.

Lough Derravaragh is forever associated with the legend of the Children of Lir who are said to have spent 300 years in isolation on its waters.