East Meath (Irish: An Oirmhí)[1] is an area of made up of the electoral divisions of St Mary's (Part) and Julianstown in County Meath. The area is bound on the north by the River Boyne and County Louth, to the south just beyond the River Nanny close to the County Dublin border, to the east by the Irish Sea and to the west by the M1. It has been part of the Dáil constituency of Louth since 2007.
East Meath
An Oirmhí | |
---|---|
Area | |
![]() Location of East Meath (Red) within County Meath | |
Country | Ireland |
Province | Leinster |
County | County Meath |
Municipal district | Laytown-Bettystown |
Dáil Éireann | Louth |
EU Parliament | Midlands–North-West |
Area | |
• Total | 82 km2 (32 sq mi) |
Population (Census 2016) | |
• Total | 22,909 |
• Density | 280/km2 (720/sq mi) |
Time zone | UTC+0 (GMT (UTC)) |
• Summer (DST) | UTC-1 (IST (WEST)) |
Dialing code | +353 41 |
The area is characterised by a series of densely populated urban areas which stretch across Meath's 12 km coastline and mesh into one another. With a population of 22,909 according to the 2016 census, and an area of 82 km2, East Meath accounts for roughly 3.5% of the area and 11.7% of the population of County Meath. The largest centre of population is the census town of Laytown-Bettystown-Mornington which had a population of 11,872 recorded in 2016.
The Report on Dáil and European Parliament Constituencies 2007 recommended "that Louth should become a 5-seat constituency by extending the constituency southwards from, and in the environs of, Drogheda and taking in electoral divisions which have extensive linkages with the town. This will allow the inclusion of the town of Drogheda and hinterland areas in a single constituency."[2]
The Electoral (Amendment) Act 2009 defines the constituency as: "The county of Louth and, in the county of Meath, the electoral divisions of Julianstown, St. Mary’s (part), in the former Rural District of Meath."[3]
Laytown Train Station serves the area with direct rail links to Dublin Connolly.
East Meath can be reached via Exit 7 (Julianstown, Drogheda South), Exit 8 (Drogheda, Duleek) and Exit 9 (Drogheda Centre, Donore) on the M1 motorway which connects Dublin to Belfast.
East Meath can be reached via the R132 (Previously N1) by joining the R150 north in Drogheda, or R150 south in Julainstown.
Bus Éireann 190/190A connects Laytown-Drogheda-(Via Slane)-Navan-Trim/Athboy.
Matthews Coach Hire services East Meath with bus services to Dublin. The route serves, City North, Julianstown, Laytown, Bettystown, Donacarney and Drogheda Colpe.
Sonairte is an interactive visitor centre established in 1986 which promotes ecological awareness and sustainable living. Sonairte, The Ninch, Laytown.[9]