Dublin Region
Encyclopedia
The Dublin Region is a NUTS Level III region of Ireland
and is governed by the Dublin Regional Authority
. It consists of the area under the jurisdiction of the county councils of Dun Laoghaire-Rathdown
, Fingal
and South Dublin
, as well as Dublin City Council
. The Dublin Region has an area of 922 km², 1.3% of the state and has a population of 1,187,176. The regional capital is Dublin City which is also the national capital. Its NUTS code is IE021.
Located on the eastern coast of Ireland
, the Wicklow Mountains
to its south with rich pasture lands to the north and west. The region has a long and varied history.
Like each Regional Authority, the DRA is assisted in its duties by an Operational Committee and EU Operational Committee.
The median age of the population of the region in the 2006 census was 35.6 years, with 62% of people aged between 20–64 years old. Net migration to the region between 2002 and 2006 was 48,000, with a natural increase of 33,000 people.
, a period of strong economic growth of the state. This resulted in the economy of the region expanding by almost 100% between the early 1990s and 2007. This growth resulted from incoming high-value industries, such as financial services and software manufacturing
, as well as low-skilled retail and domestic services, which caused a shift away from older manufacturing-industry. This change saw high unemployment in the 1980s and early 1990s which resulted in damage to the capitals social structure.
Regional GDP in 2002 was €42.505bn, with GDP per capita at 129% of the state average, and 171% of the European Union
average. The workforce of the region in 2003 was 555,306 which equated to a 95.9% employment rate with services (80.0%), industrial employment (12.0%), and construction (8.0%) forming the key industries.
. It is also served by two main seaports, Dún Laoghaire port and Dublin Port
, which is just located outside of the city center. The two main train stations are Dublin Heuston and Dublin Connolly, both of which serve intercity trains.
Republic of Ireland
Ireland , described as the Republic of Ireland , is a sovereign state in Europe occupying approximately five-sixths of the island of the same name. Its capital is Dublin. Ireland, which had a population of 4.58 million in 2011, is a constitutional republic governed as a parliamentary democracy,...
and is governed by the Dublin Regional Authority
Regional Authorities in Ireland
Regional Authorities in Ireland were established by the Local Government Act 1991 and came into existence in 1994. Under this Act, the Regional Authorities have two main functions: to promote the co-ordination of public service provision and to monitor the delivery of EU Structural Fund assistance...
. It consists of the area under the jurisdiction of the county councils of Dun Laoghaire-Rathdown
Dun Laoghaire-Rathdown
Dún Laoghaire–Rathdown is a county in Ireland. It is one of three smaller counties into which County Dublin was divided in 1994. Located to the south-east of Dublin city, its county seat is the town of Dún Laoghaire. It is one of the four constituent parts of the Dublin Region...
, Fingal
Fingal
Fingal is a county in Ireland. It is one of three smaller counties into which County Dublin was divided in 1994. With its county seat located in Swords, it has a population of 239,992 according to the 2006 census...
and South Dublin
South Dublin
South Dublin is a county in Ireland. It is one of three smaller counties into which County Dublin was divided in 1994. The county seat is Tallaght, the largest suburb of Dublin and the biggest urban centre in the county. Other important centres of population are Lucan and Clondalkin...
, as well as Dublin City Council
Dublin City Council
Dublin City Council is the local authority for the city of Dublin in Ireland. It has 52 members and is the largest local authority in Ireland. Until 2001, it was known as Dublin Corporation.-Legal status:...
. The Dublin Region has an area of 922 km², 1.3% of the state and has a population of 1,187,176. The regional capital is Dublin City which is also the national capital. Its NUTS code is IE021.
Located on the eastern coast of Ireland
Ireland
Ireland is an island to the northwest of continental Europe. It is the third-largest island in Europe and the twentieth-largest island on Earth...
, the Wicklow Mountains
Wicklow Mountains
The Wicklow Mountains form the largest continuous upland area in Ireland. They occupy the whole centre of County Wicklow and stretch outside its borders into Counties Carlow, Wexford and Dublin. Where the mountains extend into County Dublin, they are known locally as the Dublin Mountains...
to its south with rich pasture lands to the north and west. The region has a long and varied history.
Dublin Regional Authority
The Dublin region is administered by the Dublin Regional Authority (DRA), which consists of 30 elected representatives who meet once per month. These representatives are nominated from the four administrative councils of the region:- Dublin City CouncilDublin City CouncilDublin City Council is the local authority for the city of Dublin in Ireland. It has 52 members and is the largest local authority in Ireland. Until 2001, it was known as Dublin Corporation.-Legal status:...
(14) - South Dublin County CouncilSouth Dublin County CouncilSouth Dublin County Council is the local authority for the county of South Dublin in Ireland. It is one of three local authorities that comprised the former Dublin County Council before its abolition, and one of four councils in the Dublin Region...
, (6) including the regions representative from the EU Committee of the Regions - Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown County CouncilDún Laoghaire-Rathdown County CouncilDún Laoghaire-Rathdown County Council is the local authority for the county of Dún Laoghaire–Rathdown in Ireland. It is one of three local authorities that comprised the former Dublin County Council before its abolition and one of four councils in the Dublin Region. It serves a population of...
(5) - Fingal County CouncilFingal County CouncilFingal County council is the local authority for the county of Fingal in Ireland. It is one of three local authorities that comprised the former Dublin County Council before its abolition and one of four councils in the Dublin Region. The county seat is in Swords, with another major office...
(5)
Like each Regional Authority, the DRA is assisted in its duties by an Operational Committee and EU Operational Committee.
Demographics
According to the 2006 census, the region had a population of 1,187,176, which constitutes 30% of the national population. This was an increase of 9.5% on 2002 figures. Its population density was 1,218/km². The population of the regional capital, Dublin, was 506,211.The median age of the population of the region in the 2006 census was 35.6 years, with 62% of people aged between 20–64 years old. Net migration to the region between 2002 and 2006 was 48,000, with a natural increase of 33,000 people.
Economy
The economy of the Dublin Region was identified as being the powerhouse behind the Celtic TigerCeltic Tiger
Celtic Tiger is a term used to describe the economy of Ireland during a period of rapid economic growth between 1995 and 2007. The expansion underwent a dramatic reversal from 2008, with GDP contracting by 14% and unemployment levels rising to 14% by 2010...
, a period of strong economic growth of the state. This resulted in the economy of the region expanding by almost 100% between the early 1990s and 2007. This growth resulted from incoming high-value industries, such as financial services and software manufacturing
Software manufacturing
Software manufacturing is the process of producing software in ways similar to the manufacturing of tangible goods. In this way of conducting business, each copy of the software is priced and sold as though it was a tangible product...
, as well as low-skilled retail and domestic services, which caused a shift away from older manufacturing-industry. This change saw high unemployment in the 1980s and early 1990s which resulted in damage to the capitals social structure.
Regional GDP in 2002 was €42.505bn, with GDP per capita at 129% of the state average, and 171% of the European Union
European Union
The European Union is an economic and political union of 27 independent member states which are located primarily in Europe. The EU traces its origins from the European Coal and Steel Community and the European Economic Community , formed by six countries in 1958...
average. The workforce of the region in 2003 was 555,306 which equated to a 95.9% employment rate with services (80.0%), industrial employment (12.0%), and construction (8.0%) forming the key industries.
Transport
The Dublin region is the main transport node of Ireland, and contains one international airport, Dublin AirportDublin Airport
Dublin Airport, , is operated by the Dublin Airport Authority. Located in Collinstown, in the Fingal part of County Dublin, 18.4 million passengers passed through the airport in 2010, making it the busiest airport in the Republic of Ireland, followed by Cork and Shannon...
. It is also served by two main seaports, Dún Laoghaire port and Dublin Port
Dublin Port
Dublin Port is Ireland's biggest sea port. It has both historical and contemporary economic importance. Approximatively two-thirds of the Republic of Ireland's port traffic goes via Dublin Port...
, which is just located outside of the city center. The two main train stations are Dublin Heuston and Dublin Connolly, both of which serve intercity trains.
Urban areas
A list of the largest urban areas (those with over 1,000 inhabitants) in the Dublin region. County seats are included and are shown in bold.| Rank | Urban area | County | Population (2006 census) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Dublin | Dublin City, Dun Laoghaire-Rathdown Dun Laoghaire-Rathdown Dún Laoghaire–Rathdown is a county in Ireland. It is one of three smaller counties into which County Dublin was divided in 1994. Located to the south-east of Dublin city, its county seat is the town of Dún Laoghaire. It is one of the four constituent parts of the Dublin Region... , Fingal Fingal Fingal is a county in Ireland. It is one of three smaller counties into which County Dublin was divided in 1994. With its county seat located in Swords, it has a population of 239,992 according to the 2006 census... , South Dublin South Dublin South Dublin is a county in Ireland. It is one of three smaller counties into which County Dublin was divided in 1994. The county seat is Tallaght, the largest suburb of Dublin and the biggest urban centre in the county. Other important centres of population are Lucan and Clondalkin... |
1,045,769 |
| 2 | Swords Swords, Dublin Swords is the county town of Fingal in Ireland. It is about 13 km north of Dublin city centre and is part of its commuter belt.- History :... |
Fingal | 33,998 |
| 3 | Balbriggan Balbriggan Balbriggan is a town in the northern part of the administrative county of Fingal, within County Dublin, Ireland. The 2006 census population was 15,559 for Balbriggan and its environs.- Name :... |
Fingal | 15,559 |
| 4 | Malahide Malahide Malahide is a coastal suburban town, near Dublin city, located in the administrative county of Fingal, within the traditional County Dublin, Ireland. It has a village-like centre and extensive residential areas to the south, west and northwest.-Name:... |
Fingal | 14,937 |
| 5 | Skerries Skerries, Dublin -The 20th century and today:Historically, Skerries has been a thriving fishing port and a major center of hand embroidery. In the late 20th century, it became a resort town , and another suburb for commuters to the city of Dublin.... |
Fingal | 9,535 |
| 6 | Portmarnock Portmarnock Portmarnock is a small suburban village to the north of Dublin, Ireland. It is in the administrative county of Fingal.-Location:Portmarnock lies on the coast and, owing to its proximity to Dublin city, is a form of dormitory village north-northeast of the city centre... |
Fingal | 8,979 |
| 7 | Rush Rush, Dublin Rush is a small seaside town, with a population of 8,280, situated between the communities of Skerries and Lusk in Fingal, Ireland. There has been a large population increase since the previous census in 2002, comprising mostly people from north Dublin.... |
Fingal | 8,286 |
| 8 | Donabate Donabate Donabate is a small suburban coastal town in Ireland, some 20 km north-northeast of Dublin City. The town is situated on a peninsula which it shares with the town of Portrane. This peninsula lies on Ireland's east coast, between the Rogerstown Estuary to the north and Broadmeadow Estuary to... |
Fingal | 5,499 |
| 9 | Lusk | Fingal | 5,236 |
| 10 | Kinsealy-Drinan Kinsealy Kinsealy is an outer suburb of Dublin, Ireland, about 7km from the city centre, in the administration of Fingal County Council, within County Dublin.... |
Fingal | 3,651 |
| 11 | Rathcoole Rathcoole, Dublin Rathcoole is a suburban village, south west of Tallaght, Ireland, in South Dublin County. It lies just off the N7 national primary road. It borders the nearby village of Saggart.- Geography :... |
South Dublin | 2,885 |
| 12 | Portrane Portrane Portrane or Portraine ) is a small seaside town one kilometre from, and merging into the larger town of Donabate in Fingal, north County Dublin, Ireland.- St. Ita's Hospital :... |
Fingal | 1,532 |
| 13 | Newcastle | South Dublin | 1,506 |