8. Planning and
Development
8.3
County Carlow
The
County Carlow Development Plan 1997 promotes the development
and vitality of the county in a manner that reflects the needs
of its present and future citizens. Carlow County Council
aim to continue the programme of road realignment and strengthening
work, which will ensure high quality links with Dublin, the
ports and the Midlands.
The 1996 Census of Population recorded the population of County
Carlow as 41,616 persons, an increase of 4.5 per cent on the
figure of 39,820 persons recorded in 1981. Although the population
of the county did not increase by a substantial figure during
these intercensal periods, there has been significant household
formation. This is particularly the case in Carlow town where
there has been a considerable increase in the resident population
commuting to the general Dublin area, using both public and
private modes of transport. Population totals for each of
the larger centres in the county are given in Table B1, Appendix
B.
Population totals for the County and Carlow & Environs is
given in Table 1, Appendix B.Population projections up to
2011, sourced from the Development Plan, are given in Table
2, Appendix B.
8.3.1
Carlow Town
The county town of Carlow is said to be the Celtic Centre
of Ireland. Carlow is situated on the River Barrow and on
the intersection of the N9 with the N80, linking Carlow with
Portlaosie and Rosslare. Carlow town also has the advantage
of the presence of a rail line station on the Dublin to Waterford
route. Transportation infrastructure makes Carlow accessible
to and from national ports and regional centres
The environs of Carlow have undergone a dramatic increase
in population over the 10-year period rising by 91 per cent
between 1981-1991. In 1996 the population of Carlow and Environs
was 14,979 a growth of 17 per cent since 1981. The Carlow
County Development Plan 1997 envisages the bulk of the 2001
projected population increase for the County to be accommodated
within Carlow Environs.
Within the Carlow County Development Plan 1997 it is a policy
to examine the feasibility of a national primary bypass of
Carlow town. A by-pass route for the town is indicated on
the development plan maps.
The development of a road system linking population and employment
centres to the rest of the nation and also to the country's
sea and air ports is an essential element in facilitating
the development of Carlow. An efficient transport system plays
a major role in influencing investment decisions, particularly
in the case of industry where accessibility and centrality
have become such important elements of manufacturing and distribution.
The link with Dublin has improved with the realignment at
Bolton Hill and the recent completion of the motorway, terminating
at Kilcullen. The upgrading of the N9 to Euroroute status
is considered important to the completion of the required
access improvements. It is the policy of the Council to develop
a safe an efficient road system for the county, which will
cater for its development needs into the next century.
The portion of those employed in manufacturing has only marginally
increased since the 1970s, when two multinational firms, Lapple
(Ireland) Ltd. and Braun (Ireland) Ltd. were establsihed.
Other industry in the town includes the Greencore Sugar Company,
Oglesby & Butler, Process Control and Automation. Industrial
estates include Strawhall and Kernanstown.
The Carlow Institute of Technology has a student population
2500 (1997) estimated to rise to 4000 in 2000. St Patrick's
College had a student population of 200 in 1997 offering adult
education in third level qualifications and is included as
an institution in the CAO/CAS application process.
8.3.2
Muinebheag
Muinebheag
(formally Bagenalstown) is situated on the eastern bank of
the River Barrow, approximately 16 kilometres south of Carlow
town, 21 kilometres north-east of Kilkenny City and 100 kilometres
from Dublin. Muinebheag acts as a local service centre. The
town depends to a great extent on its rural hinterland. The
town is accessed by road from the N9 at the Royal Oak junction
and by rail from the Dublin and Waterford railway line.
Laid out in the 18th century on a grid system, the river and
the rail line have constrained the western and eastern expansion
of the town. The population decreased by 3 per cent between
1986 and 1996. The population was recorded in 1996 at 2,695
persons, 1.4 per cent increase since 1981. Although the Carlow
County Development Plan 1997 includes population projections
for the county it does not allocate growth to specific locations.
Agriculture is important to the urban centre due to the high
percentage of land in the vicinity, which is suitable for
intensive farming. Muinebheag also has some employment based
on the manufacturing of agricultural related machinery both
for the home and export markets.
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