Banbridge District | Louth County

County Louth

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Area
The county of Louth covers approximately 821sq km. The principal level (large towns) within the county are Dundalk and Drogheda, level 2 settlements (small towns) include Ardee and Dunleer. There are 13 level 3 settlements (villages) and 32 level 4 settlements (rural clusters).

Population
The county has approximately 101,800 inhabitants (2002) which marks a population increase of 10.5% from census records of 1996 totalling 92,166. The 2002 census shows the population of individual towns within the county as being Dundalk (27,399), Drogheda (28,308), Ardee (3,568) and Dunleer (1,100).

Economy
The enterprise sector within the county has completely restructured over the past decade. Once well-established for heavy engineering and the manufacturing of alcohol (Harp), tobacco (PJ Carroll’s), leather, clothing and textiles. The past decade has manifested in a shift towards information, communications and technology (ICT) based industries, specialised engineering and food processing. The area hosts companies such as Xerox, ABB, Coca Cola, Diageo, Quantum and Heinz.

Deprivation
Under the direction of the Department of Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs, Louth has qualifies for two deprivation measures, Clar and Rapid. In addition the Cooley peninsula was designated as a area of high deprivation following the foot and mouth outbreak in 2001.

Employment and Unemployment
Louth in general has a high percentage of unemployment (18.2 %). The highest level of employment is found in the service sector (46.6%), the manufacturing sector (30.3%) and agriculture (4.9%)

Environment
Environmental awareness and management are becoming increasingly important to the people of Louth. Between 2002 and 2003 some 653 tonnes of glass, 29 tonnes of aluminium cans and 48 tonnes of plastic were recycled via the Council’s bring facilities which distributed around the county. In addition to the waste management policy Louth has substantial environmental protection directives, 6 special areas of conservation (habitats directive), 4 special protection areas (birds directive) and 24 proposed natural heritage areas (national direction)

Physical Infrastructure
Louth county is well situated to access all the main external gateways of Ireland and had a coast line exceeding 70 miles. Louth has 206 km of regional road and 988km of local road.

Agriculture
Louth stretches 202,000 acres. The Cooley Peninsula, located in the North is renowned for sheep farming, forestry and tourism while the remainder holds itself to intensive livestock, tillage and horticultural production. The most recent census of agriculture (2000) shows that there are 1,764 holdings with one hectare or more and 918 over 50 acres (20 hectares). Tillage and horticulture takes up 51,560 acres (20,624 hectares) and according to CSO 2000 the total livestock of cattle is 87,480 and sheep numbers 94,332 respectively.

Housing
The Louth County Council area has an estimated total current housing stock of 595 as well as existing properties available to tenants under the tenant purchase scheme.

Tourism
County Louth contains two distinct areas that have been designated as Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty, the larger of the two being Carlingford and the Feede Mountains encompassing the Tain Trail. The second area is Clogherhead, Port Oriel and the surrounding headland.

Education
There are currently 73 primary schools and 17 post primary schools (11 secondary, 5 vocational & 1 community) and one third level institution, Dundalk

Health
Louth falls within the jurisdiction of the North Easter Health Board. The county itself has two hospitals, Louth County (Dundalk) and Our Lady’s (Drogheda) which provide both primary and secondary health care services to the area.

Crime
A total of 2,642 offences were recorded by the Garda between April 2002 and March 2003.

Blackrock

Community Development
The 200 community and voluntary groups within Louth area are supported by the provision of a local area forum which is representative of the three local areas, these being north, mid and south Louth. All sensitive activities are co-ordinated by a development officer within Louth County Council.

Politics
Louth County Council has 5 electoral areas totalling 32 seats. They include Dundalk/Carlingford (12 seats), Ardee (5 seats), Dundalk South (6 seats), Drogheda West (4 seats) and Drogheda East (5 seats).
Drogheda Borough Council 12 seats, Dundalk Town Council 12 seats and Ardee Town Council 10 representatives.

Website: http://www.louthcoco.ie

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