Dublin's overflow seems to be trundling westwards towards the midlands as fast as concrete sets and tarmac can be laid. Enormous development is taking place, ribbon-style along the roads and railways.
One surprising development came last week when it was learned that Kinnegad GAA had sold its playing pitch to developers for a sum thought to be more than £1 million.
It is understood the club is investing the money in a major playing fields and leisure complex. This will be across the road from the old grounds, which stand just west of the town on the main Mullingar road.
The first indications that the mainly rural midlanders are not happy with what has been happening emerged this week in Rochfortbridge, the picturesque village which straddles the Dublin-Galway road.
The locals there had a confrontation with a developer over a number of issues involving road conditions and other matters, about a fortnight ago. The Westmeath county engineer negotiated a settlement.
Currently, 200 houses are being constructed on the edge of the village, but there are plans for 500 more.
An action committee was formed which this week transformed itself into the Rochfortbridge Development Group, which has decided that it wants more control over what is happening in the village. Its chairman, Mr Vinnie Bagnall, said it was vital that proper infrastructure be put in place before large-scale development proceeds and it wants a proper development plan drawn up for the village.
People were especially worried about the lack of amenities, water supply and the pressure on local schools. The group, he said, would formulate a development plan which would ensure that the quality of village life was maintained.
"Our main concerns are the sewerage and water and lack of amenities. Our two national schools are near full to capacity and another 500 houses are being proposed for the village."
He said they were "absolutely not" against development. "In fact we fought for it but we want amenities there for the children in the future."
In Tullamore this week the chairman of the local railway commuters' group, Mr Ger Hayden, said it was hoping to do a deal with private bus companies for transport to Dublin and back each day.
He said the 150 or so people who used the line daily were not prepared to put up with the service after Irish Rail's schedule change which meant that commuters could not use Intercity trains.
The new commuter service was adding up to an hour to the journey daily. The final insult for commuters, he said, was when the fares were increased in January from £32 to £36 a week and by £5 a week for other tickets.
He has called a meeting of commuters to make the decision on buses in the High Street House, Tullamore, on February 24th.