Often referred to as the lake county, Westmeath is certainly not associated with alpine skiing. In fact, its landscape is quite the opposite and considered flat and boggy. And while the county has produced its fair share of musical success, it has never produced an Olympic skier. Until now that is.
Step forward Anabelle Zurbay: Ireland's sole female competitor at the Winter Olympics in Italy. She turned 17 just before Christmas and is based in Vail, Colorado, in the US.
However she qualifies for Ireland through her grandmother Rosaleen, who is from Co Westmeath.
Anabelle's grandmother, Rosaleen (née McCarthy), is a native of Rosemount and a daughter of Ned McCarthy, who was a hairdresser in Moate for many years.
Rosaleen emigrated to the US when she was 20 years of age and settled with her husband, Michael Miskella, in Green Bay, Wisconsin, where she still lives today.
Both of Anabelle'a parents, Sarah and Dale, are experienced skiing coaches and after previously being based in Minnesota, the family moved to the renowned ski town of Vail, Colorado, in 2019.
Sarah's first cousin Annette Dalton runs the long-established bakery and deli The Pantry in Moate.
"Proud is an understatement, we cannot believe it. She only turned 17 before Christmas, and she was over in Ireland in October 2024, and she called here to The Pantry," said Ms Dalton.
"They were going to meet the Olympic Council then and I said to her, we'll be cheering you on at the next Winter Olympics.
"But she told me, no, not the next Olympics, maybe the next time, but definitely in eight years' time, that was her aim.
"When we got the word that she got [it] this time round, we were in a state of shock," Ms Dalton added.
In addition to being Team Ireland's sole female representative at the games, Anabelle will also make history tomorrow when she becomes the youngest alpine skier to represent Ireland at a Winter Olympics.
"We didn't know that Anabelle was going to qualify, so when we heard the news, we were just absolutely thrilled," said her grand-aunt Marian O'Boyle.
"She's been skiing since she was very young and she's always been a great little athlete.
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"I remember her when I was in America when she was four or five and she was swimming in the pool and doing somersaults, and I thought, she'll represent Ireland in the Olympic swimming one day.
"But in fact, it turned out skiing was her thing, she just loved it.
"As a family, we're so proud. I live in Leixlip and I've all my family and friends supporting her. We're all glued to the Olympics and we're so excited," said Ms O'Boyle.
In St Brigid's primary school in Moate, the sixth class girls believe Anabelle Zurbay is a huge inspiration and perhaps there’s another Olympian in their midst?
"She's a very good skier and I'd love to go to the Olympics myself one day," said Alice Joyce.
"I am involved in boxing so I would like to follow my uncle Joe Ward who competed at the Olympics before," she said.
The other students said they will be cheering on their local hero this weekend.
"I think it's great, it shows you can go and do anything," said Aoife Hickey.
"We're so proud that she's representing Ireland, we'll be watching her and cheering her on," said Grace Browne.
Anabelle will make her Olympic debut tomorrow in the giant slalom and will also compete in the slalom on 18 February.
"You'll hear us roaring on Sunday, please God, it all goes well," laughed her grant-aunt Anne Galvin Flynn.
"She's so young but she knows what she's doing. We're all so proud, it's marvellous," she added.
