Mary O'Rourke (Fianna Fail)

We are with Longford now. The division into two counties was explained in the Act as being because the western part, which became County Westmeath, was beset by rebels against the King. In common with many statutes relating to local government, it has been listed in the "white list" and is not being repealed at this time.

Schedule 2 contains the Acts which are being repealed including 1254 (38 Hen. 3) [H.M.D.I.] Dublin, Limerick and Athlone granted to Prince Edward. I always knew Athlone was up there with the big towns and cities. They were granted to Prince Edward, the son of King Henry III, the cities of Dublin and Limerick with their counties and the town and castle of Athlone. History does not record how the people of Dublin, Limerick and Athlone felt about being given to Prince Edward. He had a lovely castle to which to bring his paramour or whatever they were called in those times.

The Leas-Chathaoirleach, coming from the west, will be interested in 1733 (7 Geo. 2) c. 19, An Act for repairing the road leading from Kinnegad to Athlone in the County of Westmeath.