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In the centre
of Ireland sits the county of Lakes and Legend - Westmeath.
Covering an area of 710 square miles, County Westmeath is a
paradise of clear waterways, offering some of the best angling
in Ireland from coarse fishing to brown trout. Visitors can
enjoy superb cruising and water sports at Lough Ree, barge holidays
on the Grand Canal and boating across the lakes of Westmeath.
For the outdoor enthusiast, the county also has some of the
finest golf courses and equestrian centres in the country.
Westmeath derives
its name from the Irish 'an Lar Mhi', meaning west of Meath.
Castles, monuments and ancient sites are abundant in County
Westmeath. The renowned Irish fable, Children of Lir, is the
Tuatha de Danann legend of Lough Derravaragh. The Hill of Uisneach,
near Ballymore, was once the ancient seat of the Kings of Meath
with its history rooted in the Iron Age. Westmeath boasts of
magnificent castles and gardens including Ballinlough Castle
Gardens, Tallynally Castle and St Feichins Monastery at Fore
- dating back to the 7th century. Locke's Distillery Museum
and Athlete Castle Visitor Centre are both premier heritage
destinations in the county.
Westmeath is blessed with lush pastoral land, wooded vales,
lakes and a rich culture.
Towns in County Westmeath
The county capital is Mullingar. Other townships include the
thriving business centre of Athlone, Moate and Ballymore. The
population of County Westmeath is just over 63,000. Please see
town guides for further information.
Business
Information
Historically, Westmeath has a strong agricultural base rising
from particularly fertile land in the county. Agriculture today
is still one of the principle employers with a variety of mixed
drystock, tillage and related agri-businesses and meat production.
Manufacturing in County Westmeath is as diverse as its terrain.
The broad spread of activity includes plastics, engineering,
publishing, milling, wood products and joinery, IT and the services
sector for the growing urban areas. Westmeath has strong industrial
bases both in Athlone and Mullingar. Overseas companies to make
Westmeath their home include the Swedish software giant, Ericsson,
two medical manufacturers from the US - Utah Medical Products
and Mallinckrodt Medical and Iralco Ltd from Germany.
| Helpful contact details for business enquiries |
Westmeath County Enterprise Board |
Tel: (353) 044 49008 |
| Enterprise
Ireland Regional Office |
Tel:
(353) 0902 74959 |
| Westmeath
County Council |
Tel:
(353) 044 40861 |
| IDA
Ireland Regional Office |
Tel:
(353) 0902 726951 |
| TEAGASC
|
Tel:
(353) 0902 726951 |
| Westmeath
Leader II and Area Partnership |
Tel:
(353) 044 48571 |
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| Sources of finance applicable to business start
up, development and acquisition, and related agencies, are as
follows |
Credit Unions: |
Tel: (353) (0)1 490 8911 |
| National Irish Bank: |
Tel: (353) (0)1
678 5066 |
| Ulster Bank (Small Business Unit): |
Tel: (353) (0)1
677 7623 |
| Bank of Ireland Enterprise Support Unit: |
contact any
branch |
| Smurfit Job Creation Enterprise Fund |
Tel: (353) (0)1 478
4091 |
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The Dept. of
Enterprise, Trade and Employment:
TEL: (353) (0) 1 661
4444; www.irlgov.ie/entemp has extensive and
very helpful advice on all aspects of business and employment
in Ireland, including a business start up information pack
which is superbly put together and includes everything from
planning, funding, locating, employing people and development
businesses. |
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| Travel (see also town
guides) |
Westmeath
has the two major routes from Dublin to the west and north west
of Ireland passing through the county. Only an hour by road
from Dublin, Westmeath is ideally located in the centre of Ireland.
The nearest ferry port and airport to County Westmeath are both
in County Dublin. Bus Eireann operates an efficient service
across the county. Iarnrod Eireann (Irish rail) run two separate
lines across Westmeath, one to Sligo via Mullingar and the other
passes through Athlone en route to Galway and the west of Ireland.
| Tourism, Leisure
and Accommodation |
| Please see
town guides |
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