Dundalk is a town in County Louth in the Republic of Ireland, close to the border with Northern Ireland. It takes its name from Dun Dealgan, Dalga’s fort home closely associated with the famous mythical warrior Cuchulainn and was granted its charter in 1189AD. It is sited on the lowest bridging point of the Castletown River.
Dundalk is situated in one of the most historic scenic and historical parts of Ireland, the Boyne valley is only 15 minutes drive away. Its coastline on the Irish Sea and the amenities of Carlingford Lough are complimented by outstanding hill and rural topography which attract both local and visitors interest.
Today’s Dundalk retains the linear characteristics of a medieval town, although there is evidence of pre-historic and early Christian settlements. The town is now the sixth largest conurbation in Ireland in population and is strategically located on the East Coast half-way between Dublin and Belfast, the two largest cities on the island, linked to them by high-speed rail and soon to both, by motorway.
Dundalk is the principal centre in the middle of the East Coast. The town has a total population of 32,505 (2002 Census). Within a 30 mile radius there is a population of 428,000. A 50 mile radius brings in Ireland’s two main cities, Dublin and Belfast, increasing the catchment to in excess of 3 million. Dundalk is located on the M1/N1 National Primary Route equidistant between the two cities. It is also served by an excellent inter-city rail network. Dundalk is very advantageously positioned in relation to international airports, which are located to the north of Dublin and the south of Belfast.
Dundalk is 40 minutes commuting distance of Dublin International Airport.
Dundalk is one of the largest urban centres in Ireland and primed to become Ireland’s first new city of the 21st Century.
The Dundalk area has considerable technological expertise, apart from its centre of excellence based around Dundalk Institute of Technology the region plays host to world leading companies such as Xerox, ABB, Coca Cola, Littelfuse (GE), DIAGEO, Quantum and Heinz.
The Town Centre has 3 shopping centres (Carroll Village, Dundalk, Longwalk)which bring most of the national food retailers and theme outlets and a further major 230,000sf retail development on the Ramparts is soon to begin construction. And a new 21C retail park offering large goods outlets
Dundalk has 27 Main pubs(Oscars, Brubakers Bar and Cocktail Lounge), many serving excellent pub food, as well as 5 hotels (Ballymascanlon, Carrickdale, Derryhale, Fairways and Imperial)and 4 Main Nite-Clubs ([Club Amber], Sgt. Peppers, Vicars, and Ridleys)
Public Swimming Pool, Library, Museum, Town Hall Venue and Parks (Stephenstown Pond, Agnes Burns Cottage, Patrick Kavanagh Centre, Ice House Hill, The Marshes, The Navvy Bank, Cuchulainn’s Stone, The Tain Trail), a Multi-Screen (7) Cinema complex, A Modern Race Track for greyhound racing and horse trotting, and, a new Bowling Alley.
Dundalk is located near Carlingford Lough, which has excellent water activities.
Leisure facilities in the area include golf (15 courses), horse riding & racing, tennis, rugby, soccer and GAA. Indoor facilities include gyms, indoor swimming pools, badminton, snooker, indoor soccer, drama & musical societies and a 12 pitch indoor soccer centre which is set to be completed in January 2005.
A large fashion outlet, the biggest of its kind in ireland, and Private hospital are also in the pipeline for the town.
00:20, 9 Aug 2004 (UTC)