Dundalk

This article is about the town of Dundalk in Ireland. For other uses, see Dundalk (disambiguation).
Dundalk
Dún Dealgan
Town

Clockwise from top: Castle Roche, Clarke Station, St. Patrick's Pro-Cathedral, The Marshes shopping centre, Market Square, Dundalk Institute of Technology

Coat of arms
Motto: Mé do rug Cú Chulainn cróga  (Irish)
"I gave birth to brave Cú Chulainn"
Dundalk

Location in Ireland

Coordinates: 54°00′32″N 6°24′18″W / 54.009°N 6.4049°W / 54.009; -6.4049Coordinates: 54°00′32″N 6°24′18″W / 54.009°N 6.4049°W / 54.009; -6.4049
Country Ireland
Province Leinster
County County Louth
Dáil Éireann Louth
EU Parliament Midlands–North-West
Inhabited 3500 BC[1][2][3]
Charter 1189 AD
Area[4]
 • Urban 25.19 km2 (9.73 sq mi)
 • Rural 354.04 km2 (136.70 sq mi)
Population (Census 2011)[5]
 • Town 37,816
 • Rank 7th
 • Urban 31,149
 • Rural 25,613
 • Environs 6,667
Time zone WET (UTC0)
 • Summer (DST) IST (UTC+1)
Eircode A91
Irish Grid Reference J048074
Dialing code 042, +353 42
Website www.dundalk.ie

Dundalk (/dʌnˈdɔːk/, from Irish Dún Dealgan, meaning "Dalgan's stronghold", a Fir Bolg Chieftain) is the county town of County Louth, Ireland. It is on the Castletown River, which flows into Dundalk Bay, and is close to the border with Northern Ireland, equidistant from Dublin and Belfast. Its name, historically Dún Dealgan,[6] has associations with the mythical warrior Cú Chulainn.[4][5][7][8][9][10] Dundalk is home to the newly well known football club DundalkFC who have reached the knockout stages of the europa league.

History

The Dundalk area has been inhabited since at least 3500 BC, in the Neolithic period. A tangible reminder of their presence can still be seen in the form of the Proleek Dolmen, the eroded remains of a megalithic tomb located in the Ballymascanlon area to the north of Dundalk. Celtic culture arrived in Ireland around 500 BC. According to the legendary historical accounts,[11] the group settled in North Louth were known as the Conaille Muirtheimne and took their name from Conaill Carnagh, legendary chief of the Red Branch Knights of Ulster. Their land now forms upper and lower Dundalk.

Dundalk had been originally developed as an unwalled Sráid Bhaile (meaning village; translates literally as "Street Townland"). The streets passed along a gravel ridge which runs from the present day Bridge Street in the North, through Church Street to Clanbrassil Street to Earl Street, and finally to Dublin Street.

St. Patrick's Church, Dundalk

In 1169 the Normans arrived in Ireland and set about conquering large areas. By 1185 a Norman nobleman named Bertram de Verdun erected a manor house at Castletown Mount and subsequently obtained the town's charter in 1189. Another Norman family, the De Courcys, led by John de Courcy, settled in the Seatown area of Dundalk, the "Nova Villa de Dundalke". Both families assisted in the fortification of the town, building walls and other fortification in the style of a Norman fortress.[12] The town of Dundalk was developed as it lay close to an easy bridging point over the Castletown River and as a frontier town, the northern limit of The Pale. In 1236 Bertram's granddaughter, Rohesia commissioned Castle Roche to fortify the region, and to offer protection from the Irish territory of Ulster.[13]

The town was sacked in 1315, during the Bruce campaign.[14] After taking possession of the town Edward Bruce proclaimed himself King of Ireland and remained here for nearly a whole year before his army was totally defeated and himself slain after being attacked by John de Birmingham.

Dundalk had been under Royalist (Ormondist) control for centuries, until 1647 when it became occupied by The Northern Parliamentary Army of Colonel George Monck.[15]

The modern town of Dundalk largely owes its form to Lord Limerick (James Hamilton, later 1st Earl of Clanbrassil) in the 17th century. He commissioned the construction of streets leading to the town centre; his ideas came from many visits to Europe. In addition to the demolition of the old walls and castles, he had new roads laid out eastwards of the principal streets. The most important of these new roads connected a newly laid down Market Square, which still survives, with a linen and cambric factory at its eastern end, adjacent to what was once an army cavalry and artillery barracks (now Aiken Barracks).

In the 19th century the town grew in importance and many industries were set up in the local area. This development was helped considerably by the opening of railways, the expansion of the docks area or 'Quay' and the setting up of a board of commissioners to run the town.[21]

The partition of Ireland in May 1921 turned Dundalk into a border town and the Dublin–Belfast main line into an international railway. The Irish Free State opened customs and immigration facilities at Dundalk to check goods and passengers crossing the border by train. The Irish Civil War of 1922–23 saw a number of confrontations in Dundalk. The local Fourth Northern Division of the Irish Republican Army under Frank Aiken, who took over Dundalk barracks after the British left, tried to stay neutral but 300 of them were detained by the National Army in August 1922.[22] However, a raid on Dundalk Gaol freed Aiken and over 100 other anti-treaty prisoners;[23] two weeks later he retook Dundalk barracks and captured its garrison before freeing the remaining republican prisoners there. Aiken did not try to hold the town, however, and before withdrawing he called for a truce in a meeting in the centre of Dundalk. The 49 Infantry Battalion and 58 Infantry Battalion of the National Army were based in Dundalk along with No.8 armoured locomotive and two fully armoured cars of their Railway Protection Corps.

For several decades after the end of the Civil War, Dundalk continued to function as a market town, a regional centre, and a centre of administration and manufacturing. Its position close to the border gave it considerable significance during the "Troubles" of Northern Ireland. Many people were sympathetic to the cause of the Provisional Irish Republican Army and Sinn Féin. It was in this period that Dundalk earned the nickname 'El Paso', after the Texan border town of the same name on the border with Mexico.[24][25]

On 1 September 1973, the 27 Infantry Battalion of the Irish Army was established with its Headquarters in Dundalk barracks, renamed Aiken Barracks in 1986 in honour of Frank Aiken.

Dundalk suffered economically when Irish membership of the European Economic Community in the 1970s exposed local manufacturers to foreign competition that they were ill equipped to cope with. The result was the closure of many local factories, resulting in the highest unemployment rate in Leinster, Ireland's richest province. High unemployment produced serious social problems in the town that were only alleviated by the advent of the Celtic Tiger investment boom at the start of the 21st century. Dundalk's economy has developed rapidly since 2000. Today many international companies have factories in Dundalk, from food processing to high-tech computer components. Harp Lager, a beer produced by Diageo, is brewed in the Great Northern Brewery, Dundalk.

The Earls of Roden[26] had property interests in Dundalk for over three centuries, and at an auction in July 2006 the 10th Earl sold his freehold of the town, including ground rents, mineral rights, manorial rights, the reversion of leases and the freehold of highways, common land, and the fair green. Included in the sale were many documents, such as a large 18th century estate map. The buyer was undisclosed.[27]

Battles

Geography

Landscape

Situated where the Castletown River flows into Dundalk Bay, the town is close to the border with Northern Ireland (3.5 km direct point-to-point aerial transit path border to border) and equidistant from Dublin and Belfast.

Climate

Similar to much of northwest Europe, Dundalk experiences a maritime climate, sheltered by the Cooley and Mourne Mountains to the North, and undulating hills to the West and South, the town experiences cool winters, mild summers, and a lack of temperature extremes.

Climate data for Dundalk (2013-2015 averages)
Month Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec Year
Record high °C (°F) 14
(57)		 15
(59)		 16
(61)		 23
(73)		 23
(73)		 30
(86)		 29
(84)		 24
(75)		 24
(75)		 22
(72)		 17
(63)		 16
(61)		 30
(86)
Average high °C (°F) 12
(54)		 11
(52)		 12
(54)		 14
(57)		 17
(63)		 20
(68)		 23
(73)		 18
(64)		 17
(63)		 17
(63)		 12
(54)		 13
(55)		 15.5
(59.9)
Daily mean °C (°F) 6.0
(42.8)		 6.0
(42.8)		 8.0
(46.4)		 11.0
(51.8)		 12.0
(53.6)		 16.0
(60.8)		 18.0
(64.4)		 15.0
(59)		 16.0
(60.8)		 11.0
(51.8)		 8.0
(46.4)		 7.0
(44.6)		 11.2
(52.2)
Average low °C (°F) 0.0
(32)		 1.0
(33.8)		 3.0
(37.4)		 8.0
(46.4)		 11.0
(51.8)		 13.0
(55.4)		 14.0
(57.2)		 12.0
(53.6)		 13.0
(55.4)		 7.0
(44.6)		 4.0
(39.2)		 0.0
(32)		 7.2
(45)
Record low °C (°F) −4.0
(24.8)		 −4.0
(24.8)		 −2.0
(28.4)		 −2.0
(28.4)		 2.0
(35.6)		 7.0
(44.6)		 7.0
(44.6)		 5.0
(41)		 7.0
(44.6)		 2.0
(35.6)		 −1.0
(30.2)		 −5.0
(23)		 −5.0
(23)
Source: Dundalk ILOUTHDU4 Private Weather System,[44]

Demographics

Population by place of birth:

Location 2006[45] 2011[46] Change
Ireland 28,095 29,114 +1,019
UK 3,488 3,839 +351
Poland 252 555 +303
Lithuania 421 633 +212
Other EU 27 692 1,119 +427
Rest of World 1,804 2,269 +465

Population by ethnic or cultural background:

Ethnicity or culture 2006[45] 2011[47]
White Irish 29,840 30,645
White Irish Traveller 325 441
Other White 1,802 2,987
Black or Black Irish 1,276 1,669
Asian or Asian Irish 372 687
Other 380 389
Not stated 757 711

Population by religion:

Religion 2002[48] 2006[45] 2011[49]
Roman Catholic 29,177 30,677 31,790
Church of Ireland (incl. Protestant) 482 527 -
Church of Ireland, England, Anglican, Episcopalian - - 590
Apostolic or Pentecostal - - 359
Other Christian religion, n.e.s. 415 480 714
Presbyterian 169 165 178
Muslim (Islamic) 279 436 569
Orthodox (Greek, Coptic, Russian) 44 171 399
Methodist, Wesleyan 84 66 -
Other stated religions 467 627 541
No religion 773 1,158 1,971
Not stated 615 778 705

Places of interest

Places of interest in North Louth within 15 km of Dundalk.

Place Description Location Image
County Museum Dundalk The county museum documenting the history of County Louth. 54°0′16.79″N 6°23′49.75″W / 54.0046639°N 6.3971528°W / 54.0046639; -6.3971528
St. Patrick's Church[50] The site was acquired in 1834 with the building completed in 1847, but was in use from 1842. 54°0′13.94″N 6°23′56.8″W / 54.0038722°N 6.399111°W / 54.0038722; -6.399111
St. Nicholas' Church[51] The site was levelled and the foundations cleared out in February 1859, dedication of the Church was in August 1860. 54°0′35.03″N 6°24′9.1″W / 54.0097306°N 6.402528°W / 54.0097306; -6.402528
St. Nicholas Church, Dundalk
St Joseph's Redemptorist Church[52] The community of Redemptorists, or missionary priests, settled here in 1876.[53] 54°0′15.2″N 6°23′21.8″W / 54.004222°N 6.389389°W / 54.004222; -6.389389
Church of Saint Nicholas (Anglican Church of Ireland) Known locally as the Green Church due to its green copper spire. 54°0′30.53″N 6°24′5.81″W / 54.0084806°N 6.4016139°W / 54.0084806; -6.4016139
Priory of St Malachy, Dominican chapel The 'Carlingford Dominicans' official foundation in Dundalk was in 1777[54] 54°0′1.69″N 6°24′31.09″W / 54.0004694°N 6.4086361°W / 54.0004694; -6.4086361
Saint Brigit's Shrine[55][56] 54°3′11.3″N 6°23′53.24″W / 54.053139°N 6.3981222°W / 54.053139; -6.3981222
St Brigid's Well Holy Well dedicated to St. Brigid 54°3′6.09″N 6°23′2.06″W / 54.0516917°N 6.3839056°W / 54.0516917; -6.3839056
St Bridget's Church, Kilcurry Holds a relic of St Bridget - a fragment of her skull was brought here in 1905 by Sister Mary Agnes of the Dundalk Convent of Mercy 54°2′33.57″N 6°25′31.99″W / 54.0426583°N 6.4255528°W / 54.0426583; -6.4255528
Castle Roche Norman castle, the seat of the De Verdun family, who built the castle in 1236 AD. 54°2′47″N 6°29′18″W / 54.04639°N 6.48833°W / 54.04639; -6.48833
Proleek Dolmen[57] One of the finest examples of its kind in Ireland 54°2′13.86″N 6°20′53.75″W / 54.0371833°N 6.3482639°W / 54.0371833; -6.3482639
Proleek Wedge Tomb 54°2′12.84″N 6°20′49.88″W / 54.0369000°N 6.3471889°W / 54.0369000; -6.3471889
Franciscan friary Founded 1246[58] 54°0′22.51″N 6°23′37.92″W / 54.0062528°N 6.3938667°W / 54.0062528; -6.3938667
County Louth - Seatown Castle
Windmill Tower An eight-storey windmill-tower, built around 1800. 54°0′21.14″N 6°23′21.22″W / 54.0058722°N 6.3892278°W / 54.0058722; -6.3892278
Our Lady's Well / Ladywell Pattern takes place here on 15 August, during the feast of the assumption. 53°59′36.91″N 6°24′8.23″W / 53.9935861°N 6.4022861°W / 53.9935861; -6.4022861
Cloghafarmore (Cuchulains / Cú Chulainn Stone) Standing stone on which Cú Chulainn tied himself to after his battle with Lugaid in order to die on his feet, facing his enemies. 53°58′28″N 6°27′58″W / 53.974484°N 6.465991°W / 53.974484; -6.465991
Dromiskin Round Tower & High Crosses Founded by a disciple of St Patrick, Lughaidh (unknown - 515AD) 53°55′19.24″N 6°23′53.55″W / 53.9220111°N 6.3982083°W / 53.9220111; -6.3982083
Cú Chulainn Castle / Dun Dealgan Castle / Castletown Motte / Byrne's Folly Built in the late 11th century by Bertram de Verdun, a later addition was the castellated house known as 'Byrne's Folly' built in 1780 by a local pirate named Patrick Byrne. 54°0′49.77″N 6°25′48.82″W / 54.0138250°N 6.4302278°W / 54.0138250; -6.4302278
Byrne's Folly on Castletown Motte profile 2
Magic Hill A place where the layout of the surrounding land produces the optical illusion that a very slight downhill slope appears to be an uphill slope. Thus, a car left out of gear will appear to be rolling uphill against gravity.[59] 54°1′19.6″N 6°17′31.86″W / 54.022111°N 6.2921833°W / 54.022111; -6.2921833
Long Woman's Grave or "The Cairn of Cauthleen" The grave of a Spanish noble woman, Cauthleen, who married Lorcan O’Hanlon, the youngest son of the "Cean" or Chieftain of Omeath.[60] Her grave is known as the "Lug Bhan Fada" (long woman’s hollow).[61] 54°3′40.63″N 6°16′28.85″W / 54.0612861°N 6.2746806°W / 54.0612861; -6.2746806
Rockmarshall Court Tomb 14 metres long cairn. 54°0′33″N 6°17′5″W / 54.00917°N 6.28472°W / 54.00917; -6.28472
Dunmahon Castle Ruins of four storeys tower-house with vault over ground floor. In 1659 it was the residence of Henry Townley. 53°57′27.48″N 6°25′19.4″W / 53.9576333°N 6.422056°W / 53.9576333; -6.422056
Haynestown castle 3-storey square tower house with corner turrets 53°57′36.47″N 6°24′40.85″W / 53.9601306°N 6.4113472°W / 53.9601306; -6.4113472
Milltown Castle 15th century Norman keep about 55 feet high built by the Gernon family. 53°55′58.77″N 6°25′34.23″W / 53.9329917°N 6.4261750°W / 53.9329917; -6.4261750
Knockabbey Castle and Gardens Originally built in 1399, the historical water gardens originally date from the 11th century. 53°55′47.61″N 6°35′7.01″W / 53.9298917°N 6.5852806°W / 53.9298917; -6.5852806
Louth Hall Castle Ruins originally built in the 14th century in gothic design, it was later extended in the 18th and 19th century in Georgian design. Home of the Plunkett family, Lords of Louth 53°54′44.01″N 6°33′11.56″W / 53.9122250°N 6.5532111°W / 53.9122250; -6.5532111
Roodstown Castle Dates from the 15th century, features two turrets. 53°52′20.11″N 6°29′12.07″W / 53.8722528°N 6.4866861°W / 53.8722528; -6.4866861
Aghnaskeagh Cairn and Portal Tomb 54°3′40.59″N 6°21′28.6″W / 54.0612750°N 6.357944°W / 54.0612750; -6.357944
Faughart Round Tower Remains of a monastery founded by St Moninna in the 5th century. 54°3′6.11″N 6°23′4.18″W / 54.0516972°N 6.3844944°W / 54.0516972; -6.3844944
Grave of Edward Bruce Proclaimed High King of Ireland before he was killed in the battle of Faughart in 1318 54°3′6.11″N 6°23′4.18″W / 54.0516972°N 6.3844944°W / 54.0516972; -6.3844944
Faughart Motte 54°3′8.07″N 6°23′9.67″W / 54.0522417°N 6.3860194°W / 54.0522417; -6.3860194
Kilwirra Church, Templetown St Mary's Church at Templetown, associated with the Knights Templar founded in 1118 by Hugh de Payens. 53°59′10.33″N 6°9′18.51″W / 53.9862028°N 6.1551417°W / 53.9862028; -6.1551417
Lady Well, Templetown 53°59′14.74″N 6°9′10.79″W / 53.9874278°N 6.1529972°W / 53.9874278; -6.1529972
Ardee Castle The largest fortified medieval Tower House in Ireland or Britain, founded by Roger de Peppard in 1207, the current building was built in the 15th century by John St. Ledger. James II used it as his headquarters for a month prior to the Battle of the Boyne. 53°51′18.43″N 6°32′19.7″W / 53.8551194°N 6.538806°W / 53.8551194; -6.538806
Hatch's Castle, Ardee Medieval Tower House 53°51′24.99″N 6°32′22.22″W / 53.8569417°N 6.5395056°W / 53.8569417; -6.5395056
Kildemock Church 'The Jumping Church' 14th century Church built on the site of the Church of Deomog (Cill Deomog), under the control of the Knights Templar until 1540. 53°50′8.96″N 6°31′14.28″W / 53.8358222°N 6.5206333°W / 53.8358222; -6.5206333
St Mary's Priory Augustinian Priory stands on the site where St Mochta established a monastery in 528 CE. 53°57′11.68″N 6°32′38.97″W / 53.9532444°N 6.5441583°W / 53.9532444; -6.5441583
St Mochta's House 12th Century Church/Oratory. 53°57′12.33″N 6°32′43.36″W / 53.9534250°N 6.5453778°W / 53.9534250; -6.5453778
St James' Well 54°1′11.03″N 6°8′38.83″W / 54.0197306°N 6.1441194°W / 54.0197306; -6.1441194
Liberties of Carlingford Medieval Head Carving 54°2′31.47″N 6°11′13.81″W / 54.0420750°N 6.1871694°W / 54.0420750; -6.1871694
The Mint of Carlingford Mint established in 1467 54°2′25.06″N 6°11′11.02″W / 54.0402944°N 6.1863944°W / 54.0402944; -6.1863944
Tallanstown Motte 53°55′15.12″N 6°32′59.53″W / 53.9208667°N 6.5498694°W / 53.9208667; -6.5498694
Dominican Priory of Carlingford Founded by Richard de Burgh in 1305 54°2′17.33″N 6°11′4.13″W / 54.0381472°N 6.1844806°W / 54.0381472; -6.1844806
King John's Castle Commissioned by Hugh de Lacy before 1186, the castle owes its name to King John (Richard the Lionheart's brother) who visited Carlingford in 1210. 54°2′35.7″N 6°11′12.3″W / 54.043250°N 6.186750°W / 54.043250; -6.186750
Ravensdale Forest, Ravensdale, County Louth 54°03′08″N 6°20′23″W / 54.05222°N 6.33972°W / 54.05222; -6.33972
Ravensdale Forest

Arts and festivals

Dundalk has two photography clubs – Dundalk Photographic Society[62] and the Tain Photographic Club. In 2010 Dundalk Photographic Society won the FIAP Photography Club World Cup.[63]

Dundalk has a vibrant music environment.

Local festivals
Month Festival
January
February Brigid of Faughart Festival[55]
March Carlingford National Leprechaun Hunt[69]
April
May
June Louth Táin March Festival[70]

Dundalk Youth Arts Festival

July
August All-Ireland Poc Fada Championship

Annagassan Viking Festival[71]
Carlingford Oyster Festival
Heritage Week
Peninsula Ploughing & Field Day
Greenore Maritime Festival

September Knockbridge Vintage Rally & Family Fun Day[72]
October Festival of Horrors[73]
November Dundalk Festival of Light & Culture

Ardee Baroque Festival[74]

December

Transport

Dundalk Infrastructure Hub & Gateway access
Dundalk railway station

Shipping services to Liverpool were provided from 1837 by the Dundalk Steam Packet Company.

Dundalk is an important stop along the Dublin–Belfast railway line, being the last station on the Republic side of the border. Its rail link to Dublin was inaugurated in 1849 and the line to Belfast was opened the following year. Further railway links opened to Derry by 1859 and Greenore in 1873.

In the 20th century, Dundalk's secondary railway links were closed: first the line to Greenore in 1951 and then that to Derry in 1957. In 1966 Dundalk railway station was renamed Dundalk Clarke Station after the Irish republican activist Tom Clarke, though it is still usually just called Dundalk Station. The station is served by the Dublin-Belfast "Enterprise" express trains as well as local Commuter services to and from Dublin. It also houses a small museum of railway history.

Dundalk's Bus Station is operated by Bus Éireann and located at Long Walk near the town centre.

Ongoing infrastructure evolutions continue in and around Dundalk to meet a programme deadline of 2020. These improvements embrace the road, rail and telecommunication infrastructures for—according to the National Development Plan—a better integration with the neighbouring Dublin, Midlands Gateway, and Cavan/Monaghan Hubs.

The M1 – N1/A1 now connects Dundalk to Dublin and Newry. Works to extend it to Belfast are ongoing and are scheduled to end in winter 2010.

Education

Dundalk Institute of Technology (often abbreviated to DkIT) is the primary higher education provider in the north east of the country. It was established in 1970 as the Regional Technical College, offering primarily technician and apprenticeship courses.

Dundalk IT

Primary schools

Irish-medium

  • Gaelscoil Dhún Dealgan[75]

English-medium

  • Redeemer Girls National School
  • Bellurgan N.S.
  • S.N Muire na nGael (also known as Bay Estate National School)
  • St. Fursey's National School
  • St. Nicholas' National School
  • St. Joseph's NS
  • St. Oliver Plunkett's NS
  • C.B.S. Primary School
  • St. Malachy's National School (also known as the Friary)
  • De la Salle School
  • Dún Dealgan Primary School
  • Faughart N.S
  • St. Mary's N.S Knockbridge
  • Castletown Girls School
  • Scoil Eoin Baiste
  • Realt na Mara Primary School
  • Darver N.S., Readypenny

Secondary schools

Irish-medium

English-medium

*St. Vincent's Secondary School

Tertiary education

Media

The local newspapers are The Argus, Dundalk Democrat and Dundalk Leader.[80]

Online only media outlet includes Talk of the Town.[81]

The local radio station is Dundalk FM broadcasting on 100 FM,[82] with regional stations LMFM (Louth-Meath FM) on 95.8 FM, and iRadio (NE and Midlands) on 105-107 FM also covering the area.

Sport

Association football

Dundalk F.C. is a professional association football club based in Dundalk. The club currently play in the Premier Division of the League of Ireland. Founded in 1903, they are the second most successful team, in terms of trophies won, in the history of the League of Ireland. They play their home games in Oriel Park.[83]

Rugby

Dundalk R.F.C. is one of the foremost junior rugby clubs in Leinster. Formed in 1877 Dundalk has a long and distinguished history having achieved many honours over the years. These achievements include winning the Provincial Towns Cup on 10 occasions from 15 appearances. Dundalk is currently in the Leinster League Division 1A and field three senior teams plus youth and mini teams at all age groups, and a number of girls' tag teams.[84]

Ice hockey

Dundalk has seen the development of new sporting facilities including the JJB Soccer Dome and the Dundalk Ice Dome (closed as of August 2012) where local ice hockey team the Dundalk Bulls play. The Ice Dome hosted the IIHF World Championship of Division III in April 2007.[85]

Horse racing and greyhound racing

Both are held at Dundalk Stadium. August 2007 saw Ireland's first all-weather horse racing track open up on the site of the old Dundalk racecourse.[86] The course held Ireland's first ever meeting under floodlights on 27 September 2007.

Fencing

Dundalk also held its first ever national fencing tournament in April 2007.[87]

Basketball

Dundalk also has a basketball team, the Dundalk Ravens.

American football

The Dundalk Mavericks American Football Club were set up in 2012. They are the newest American football team to enter the Irish American Football League (IAFL). They are the only team in the league to have a female head coach, Sarah Matthews, who is assisted by Declan Mulvihill, Robert Shevlin and Matthew Hagan.

Tennis

Dundalk also has a tennis club, The Dundalk Lawn Tennis and Badminton Club[88] was founded in 1913 and held the Senior Interprovincial Championships (inter-pros) on 29–31 August 2010.[89]

Cricket

Dundalk Cricket Club was founded in November 2009 and began playing matches in the 2010 season.[90] It achieved the rare distinction of being recognised by the world leading cricket magazine The Wisden Cricketer as its "Club of the Month" for October 2010. This is both unusual for an Irish club and a club only twelve months into its existence. In 2011, the club was admitted into the Leinster Cricket Union and played in Leinster Senior League Division 11. In the 2011 season it won the Leinster League Division 11 Championship title and in the course of doing so became the only club in the whole of Leinster across the 14 divisions to go unbeaten. The club accumulated 277 points overall the highest points of any Leinster club in the 2011 season. In the 2012 season the club won their second title as Leinster League Division 9 Champions.

Snooker

Dundalk & District Snooker League has been running for over 20 years. In 2010 the league was re-branded as the Dundalk Snooker League sponsored, by Tool-Fix. The league has grown in popularity and has attracted national recognition through RIBSA (Republic of Ireland Snooker and Billiards Association) and the CYMS Letterkenny, who have arranged a "ryder cup" style challenge match against the best players in the Dundalk Snooker League. This season the league has 15 teams and 113 players competing in 6 championship events, 4 ranking events and 5 special events.[91]

Cycling

The first cycling club in Dundalk was founded in 1874. Cuchulainn Cycling Club[92] was formed in 1935 and is currently one of the biggest and most active cycling clubs in the country with over 300 members. The club caters for all disciplines of the sport including road, off-road and BMX. The club has acquired permission for the construction of a cycling park and 250m velodrome in Muirhevna Mor.[93]

Kayaking

Dundalk Kayak Club, founded in 2005, operates from their clubhouse just outside Dundalk town. They cater for all levels of kayaker and run beginner courses twice yearly.

Politics and government

Louth County Council (Irish: Comhairle Contae Lú), County Hall, Millennium Centre, Dundalk[94] is the authority responsible for local government in Dundalk. As a county council, it is governed by the Local Government Act 2001. The council is responsible for housing and community, roads and transportation, urban planning and development, amenity and culture, and environment.[95] The council has 29 elected members, 13 of whom are from the Dundalk region. Elections are held every five years and are by single transferable vote.

For the purpose of elections the town is divided into two local electoral areas: Dundalk-Carlingford (6 Seats) and Dundalk South (7 Seats).[96]

Council members from 2014 election
Local electoral area Name Party
Dundalk-Carlingford

Population: 24,589
Electorate: 19,299
Seats: 6

 Edel Corrigan Sinn Féin
Jim Loughran Sinn Féin
Peter Savage Fianna Fáil
John McGahon Fine Gael
Conor Keelan Fianna Fáil
Mark Dearey Green Party
Dundalk South

Population: 28,493
Electorate: 21,322
Seats: 7

 Tomás Sharkey Sinn Féin
Declan Breathnach Fianna Fáil
Maeve Anna Yore Independent
Kevin Meenan Sinn Féin
Jennifer Green Sinn Féin
Marianne Butler Green Party
Maria Doyle Fine Gael

Dáil Éireann /dɔɪl ˈɛərən/[97] is the lower house, and principal chamber, of the Oireachtas (the Irish legislature; which also includes the President of Ireland, and the upper house or Seanad Éireann). Dundalk is represented in Dáil Éireann by the Louth parliamentary constituency.

Notable people

Twinning / sister cities

See also: List of twin towns and sister cities in the Republic of Ireland

Dundalk is twinned with the following places:

Namesakes

World towns named after Dundalk:

Areas:

  • Canada Dundalk Mountain, Yukon Territory, Canada

Roads:

  • Dundalk Road, Crossmaglen, Northern Ireland
  • Dundalk Road, Cullyhanna, Northern Ireland
  • United Kingdom Dundalk Rd, London SE4 2JJ, United Kingdom
  • United Kingdom Dundalk Rd, Widnes, Cheshire, United Kingdom

See also

References

  1. ↑ Carlingford & Mourne | Dundalk
  2. ↑ Dundalk Institute of Technology | Dundalk History
  3. ↑ inyourfootsteps | Dundalk - Why visit here?
  4. 1 2 "Census 2011 – Population Classified by Area Table 6 – Population and area of each Province, County, City, urban area, rural area and Electoral Division, 2011 and 2006" (PDF). Census 2011, Volume 1 – Population Classified by Area. Central Statistics Office. 25 April 2012. p. 13. Retrieved 17 February 2014.
  5. 1 2 "Dundalk Legal Town And Its Environs Results". Central Statistics Office. 2011.
  6. ↑ Placenames Database of Ireland
  7. ↑ "Legal Towns Dundalk Legal Town (CSO Area Code LT 10008)". Central Statistics Office. 2011.
  8. ↑ http://www.cso.ie/en/media/csoie/census/documents/census2011vol1andprofile1/Profile1_Table_of_Contents,Foreward_and_Commentary.pdf, Page 8
  9. ↑ http://www.airo.ie/news/census-2011-irish-towns-categorised-population-area-and-change
  10. ↑ "Dundalk Legal Town And Its Environs Results inc. Environs". Central Statistics Office. 2011. Retrieved 23 April 2014.
  11. ↑ "Lebor Gabála Érenn". Oxford University Press. 1 January 2000. Retrieved 22 May 2012.
  12. ↑ Archiseek: The Architecture of Ireland. History of the Castle.
  13. ↑ Scoil Phádraig Naofa Kilcurry, County Louth, Ireland
  14. ↑ Library Ireland: A Topographical Dictionary of Ireland, 1837
  15. ↑ O'Sullivan, Harold (1977-01-01). "The Cromwellian and Restoration Settlements in the Civil Parish of Dundalk, 1649 to 1673". Journal of the County Louth Archaeological and Historical Society. 19 (1): 24–58. doi:10.2307/27729438. JSTOR 27729438.
  16. ↑ Census for post 1821 figures.
  17. ↑ http://www.histpop.org
  18. ↑ NISRA – Northern Ireland Statistics and Research Agency (c) 2013. Nisranew.nisra.gov.uk (27 September 2010). Retrieved on 23 July 2013.
  19. ↑ Lee, JJ (1981). "On the accuracy of the Pre-famine Irish censuses". In Goldstrom, J. M.; Clarkson, L. A. Irish Population, Economy, and Society: Essays in Honour of the Late K. H. Connell. Oxford, England: Clarendon Press.
  20. ↑ Mokyr, Joel; O Grada, Cormac (November 1984). "New Developments in Irish Population History, 1700–1850". The Economic History Review. 37 (4): 473–488. doi:10.1111/j.1468-0289.1984.tb00344.x.
  21. ↑ First minute book of Dundalk Town Commissioners, 1828
  22. ↑ Joseph Gavin and Harol O'Sullivan. Dundalk: A Military History. (Dundalk: Dundalgan Press Ltd., 1987), pp.109–137.
  23. ↑ Dundalk Gaol interpretive centre website
  24. ↑ Dundalk Institute of Technology | History
  25. ↑ Irish Times Newspaper, 2001 - Dundalk locals win the battle to keep the economy of the town they love so well alive
  26. ↑ Dundalk Digital Atlas | Earls of Roden, from the Jocelyn family
  27. ↑ Fiona Gartland, "Freehold of Dundalk sold at auction" in The Irish Times dated 22 July 2006
  28. ↑ D'Alton, John (1864). The history of Dundalk and Its Environs: From the Earliest Historic Period to the present time. William Tempest. p. 8.
  29. ↑ D'Alton, John (1864). The history of Dundalk and Its Environs: From the Earliest Historic Period to the present time. William Tempest. p. 10.
  30. ↑ D'Alton, John (1845). The history of Ireland: from the earliest period to the year 1245, Vol II. Published by the author. p. 148.
  31. ↑ History Of Vikings Invading Ireland http://www.yourirish.com/history/medieval/vikings-invade-ireland
  32. ↑ Ireland's History in Maps, The Vikings http://www.rootsweb.ancestry.com/~irlkik/ihm/ire800.htm
  33. ↑ An Illustrated History of Ireland by Margaret Anne Cusack, Chapter XIII, Battle of Dundalk http://www.libraryireland.com/HistoryIreland/Battle-Dundalk-3.php
  34. ↑ D'Alton, John (1864). The history of Dundalk and Its Environs: From the Earliest Historic Period to the present time. William Tempest. p. 12.
  35. ↑ D'Alton, John (1845). The history of Ireland: from the earliest period to the year 1245, Vol II. Published by the author. p. 49.
  36. ↑ Rickard, J. (27 August 2000), Battle of Dundalk, 14 October 1318, http://www.historyofwar.org/articles/battles_dundalk.html
  37. ↑ D'Alton, John (1864). The history of Dundalk and Its Environs: From the Earliest Historic Period to the present time. William Tempest. p. 88.
  38. ↑ D'Alton, John (1864). The history of Dundalk and Its Environs: From the Earliest Historic Period to the present time. William Tempest. p. 110.
  39. ↑ D'Alton, John (1864). The history of Dundalk and Its Environs: From the Earliest Historic Period to the present time. William Tempest. p. 310.
  40. ↑ D'Alton, John (1864). The history of Dundalk and Its Environs: From the Earliest Historic Period to the present time. William Tempest. p. 174.
  41. ↑ http://www.independent.ie/regionals/argus/news/battle-of-courtbane-attracts-world-media-26956772.html
  42. ↑ Irish Independent, Dundalk bombing report 19/12/2003 http://www.independent.ie/regionals/argus/news/dundalk-bombing-report-ludlow-murder-expected-in-few-weeks-26912184.html
  43. ↑ The Dundalk Bombinghttp://www.michael.donegan.care4free.net/dundalk_bombing/
  44. ↑ "Climatological Information for Dundalk ILOUTHDU4, Ireland". Dundalk ILOUTHDU4.
  45. 1 2 3 "Dundalk Migration, Ethnicity and Religion (CSO Area Code LT 10008)". Central Statistics Office. 2006.
  46. ↑ "Dundalk Migration, Ethnicity and Religion (CSO Area Code LT 10008)". Central Statistics Office. 2011.
  47. ↑ "Dundalk Migration, Ethnicity and Religion (CSO Area Code LT 10008)". Central Statistics Office. 2011.
  48. ↑ "Number of persons by religion (XLS 43KB), Row 147". Central Statistics Office. 2002.
  49. ↑ "Dundalk Migration, Ethnicity and Religion (CSO Area Code LT 10008)". Central Statistics Office. 2011.
  50. ↑ St. Patrick's Church
  51. ↑ St. Nicholas' Church
  52. ↑ St. Joseph’s Church
  53. ↑ Settlement 1876
  54. ↑ Priory of St Malachy, Dundalk | History
  55. 1 2 Brigid of Faughart Festival
  56. ↑ Discover Ireland Saint Brigid’s Shrine and Well Faughart
  57. ↑ Discover Ireland Proleek Dolmen
  58. ↑ Franciscan friary
  59. ↑ University of California Riverside article on phenomenon
  60. ↑ http://www.carlingfordandmourne.com/myths-and-legends/the-long-womans-grave-the-windy-gap-omeath
  61. ↑
  62. ↑ Dundalk Photographic Society website
  63. ↑ FIAP 5th Club World Cup Results Page
  64. ↑ Fr. McNally Chamber Orchestra
  65. ↑ The Cross Border Orchestra of Ireland
  66. ↑ The Clermont Chorale
  67. ↑ Dundalk School of Music
  68. ↑ Home – Oriel Centre. Orielcentre.ie. Retrieved on 23 July 2013.
  69. ↑ Carlingford National Leprechaun Hunt
  70. ↑ Louth Táin March Festival
  71. ↑ Annagassan Viking Festival
  72. ↑ Knockbridge Vintage Rally
  73. ↑ Festival of Horrors
  74. ↑ Ardee Baroque Festival 2012
  75. ↑ Gaelscoil Dhún Dealgan
  76. ↑ Coláiste Lú
  77. ↑ http://ofiaichcollege.ie/ O'Fiaich College, Secondary School
  78. ↑ Coláiste Chú Chulainn
  79. ↑ http://www.ofi.ie/ Ó Fiaich Institute of Further Education
  80. ↑ Dundalk Leader
  81. ↑ Talk of the Town | Dundalk as it happens!
  82. ↑ Dundalk FM 100
  83. ↑ "Dundalk F.C.". Retrieved 2013-11-27.
  84. ↑ "Dundalk Rugby Football Club". Retrieved 27 November 2013.
  85. ↑ IIHF – Div 3 Match reports
  86. ↑ RTE – 2007 Irish Racing
  87. ↑ Dundalk Institute of Technology | Sport>
  88. ↑ http://www.dundalkracketsclub.com/
  89. ↑ Welcome to Dundalk Lawn Tennis and Badminton club. Dundalkracketsclub.com. Retrieved on 23 July 2013.
  90. ↑ Dundalk Cricket Club home page. Dundalkcricketclub.com. Retrieved on 23 July 2013.
  91. ↑ Dundalk Snooker League. Dundalk Snooker League. Retrieved on 23 July 2013.
  92. ↑ http://www.dundalkcycling.com
  93. ↑ http://www.cuchulainncyclingpark.com
  94. ↑ Louth County Council Offices
  95. ↑ "Services". Louth County Council. Retrieved 31 March 2011.
  96. ↑ "2014 Local elections – Louth County Council". ElectionsIreland.org. Retrieved 5 June 2014.
  97. ↑ "Dáil: definition of Dáil in Oxford dictionary (British & World English). Meaning, pronunciation and origin of the word". Oxford Language Dictionaries. Oxford University Press. 2013. Retrieved 30 November 2013.
  98. ↑ Dundalk – Reze twinning page
  99. ↑ Irish Independent 21/02/2015 Dundalk agrees to twin with Pikeville, Kentucky

External links

Wikimedia Commons has media related to Dundalk.
Places in County Louth
Towns
Villages and
Townlands
  • List of townlands in County Louth
  • Category:Baronies of County Louth
  • Category:Mountains and hills of County Louth
  • Category:Rivers of County Louth
  • Category:Geography of County Louth
Largest urban areas in the Republic of Ireland by population
  1. Dublin : 1,110,627
  2. Cork : 198,582
  3. Limerick : 91,454
  4. Galway : 76,778
  5. Waterford : 51,519
  6. Drogheda: 38,578
  7. Dundalk: 37,816
  8. Swords: 36,924
  9. Bray: 31,872
  10. Navan: 28,559
  11. Ennis: 25,360
  12. Kilkenny: 24,423
  13. Tralee: 23,693
  14. Carlow: 23,030
  15. Newbridge: 21,561
  16. Naas: 20,713
  17. Athlone: 20,153
  18. Port Laoise: 20,145
  19. Mullingar: 20,103
  20. Wexford: 20,072
Italics denote settlements with administrative city status
Dundalk Football Crest
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