West MEATH, a county of Ireland, so named from its situation with regard to the former, by which it is bounded on the east: the Shannon parts it from Roscommon on the west; the king's county lies on the south of it, and Longford on the north. It is between 30 and 40 miles in length, and 20 in breadth; containing many rivers, lakes, and bogs. The land, where it is free from these, is abundantly fertile, and well inhabited. The baronies in this county are 13, and the members sent to parliament 10; viz. two for the shire, and two for each of the boroughs, Mullingar, Athlone, Fore, and Kilbeggan. Mullingar, by act of parliament, is the county-town.