VIDEO: A look at historic national monuments in Westmeath

The national monuments service has posted a slideshow video of the most historic archaeological sites found in Westmeath.

There are almost 1,000 monuments in the care of the Office of Public Works (OPW) across the country, and these include Westmeath sites such as Athlone Castle, the Bealin (Baylin) High Cross, Delvin Castle, Fore Abbey and the Ushnagh Hill Ringfort.

The monuments service explained that Westmeath, "a county of inland lakes and islands" first attracted our Stone-Age ancestors "around 7,500 years ago."

It described Ushnagh Hill, the centre or ‘middle’ of mythological Ireland, as "a legendary place" rich with archaeological monuments.

You can view the slideshow video of the county's national monuments here: