Meath

This county in the Irish province of Leinster comprises some 902 square miles, the greater part of it rich pasture and farm land. Neolithic and Celtic relics have been found there. Meath came under the rule of an Anglo-Norman earl in 1172, and it remained partly under English rule until Irish independence. Agriculture is the principal economic activity, particularly cattle raising and fattening. Industries include carpet manufacture, furniture manufacture, agricultural tool making, and the mining of zinc and lead. The 2003 estimated population was 138,300.