Dundalk
Encyclopedia
Dundalk is the county town
of County Louth
in Ireland
. It is situated where the Castletown River
flows into Dundalk Bay
. The town is close to the border with Northern Ireland
and equi-distant from Dublin and Belfast
. The town's name, which was historically written as Dundalgan, has associations with the mythical warrior Cú Chulainn
. The town's crest reads Mé do rug Cú Chulainn Cróga, meaning "I gave birth to brave Cú Chulainn". It was granted its charter in 1189. Within legally defined boundaries it is the largest town
in Ireland (pop. 31,073). It is also the largest by area. Dundalk's rural population is 25,581 giving a combined statistical area of 56,654.
In 2003, Dundalk was amongst nine cities and towns to be designated Gateway status in the Irish Government's National Spatial Strategy.
farmers first came to Ireland. A tangible reminder of their presence can still be seen in the form of the Proleek Dolmen, the eroded remains of a megalith
ic tomb located at Ballymascanlon
a few miles to the north of Dundalk. Celtic culture arrived in Ireland around 500 BC, having colonised most of Europe
. The group that settled in North Louth were known as the Conaille Muirtheimhne and took their name from Conaill Carnagh, legendary chief of the Red Branch Knights of Ulster
. Their land now forms upper and lower Dundalk. The poets in Celtic society were known as the and were responsible for mythological tales and legends, the most famous being the tales of the Red Branch Knights, the Táin
Bó Cuailgne and Cúchulainn.
Dundalk had been originally developed as an unwalled (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.
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. The town of Dundalk was developed as it lay close to an easy bridging point over the Castletown River and as a frontier town on the northern extremities 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
.
Further, the town was sacked in 1315, during the Bruce campaign.
The modern town of Dundalk largely owes its form to Lord Limerick (later James Hamilton, 1st Earl of Clanbrassil) in the 17th century. He was responsible for 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 Military 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.
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
tried to stay neutral but 300 of them were arrested by the new Irish Army
in August 1922
. However, a raid on the barrack freed Aiken and two weeks later he took 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.
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
.
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.
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 Irish 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.
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.
(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. It has since evolved to become one of the major third level institutions, providing wide ranging full-time and part-time under-graduate and post-graduate courses.
and Dundalk R.F.C
.
In recent years Dundalk has seen the development of new sporting facilities including the JJB Soccer Dome and the Dundalk Ice Dome
where local ice hockey team the Dundalk Bulls
play. The Ice Dome hosted the IIHF World Championship of Division III in April 2007.
Dundalk also has a long horseracing tradition. August 2007 saw Ireland's first all-weather horseracing track open up on the site of the old Dundalk racecourse. The course held Ireland's first ever meeting under floodlights on September 27, 2007. Greyhound racing also takes place at Dundalk Stadium.
Dundalk also held its first ever National Fencing tournament in April 2007.
Dundalk also has a basketball team The Dundalk Ravens.
Dundalk also has a tennis club, the club was founded in 1913 and held the Senior Interprovincial Championschips (inter-pros) on August 29–31, 2010 .
Dundalk Cricket Club was founded in November 2009 and began playing matches in the 2010 season. 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.
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 over the last few seasons 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, find out more about the Dundalk Snooker League www.dundalksnookerleague.com
Dundalk has a vibrant music environment. The following can be found:
The Fr.McNally Chamber Orchestra created in April 2010. It is a string chamber orchestra made of violins, violas, double basses and celli and has 29 members.
The Cross Border Orchestra of Ireland (CBOI) which is one of Ireland's primary youth orchestras. It is based in the Dundalk Institute of Technology and maintains a membership of 160 young musicians between the ages of 12 and 24 years. The CBOI was established in 1995 shortly after the implementation of the Peace Process and is recognised internationally and one of Ireland's flagship peace initiatives. The CBOI tours regularly to Europe and America and has sold out such prestigious venues as Carnegie Hall, New York and Chicago Symphony Hall.
The Clermont Chorale. It was formed in 2003 and has 30 members, drawn from all parts of County Louth. Its repertoire includes music from the 17th to the 21st century, across many styles and genres.
Dundalk School of Music. Created in February 2010, it aims to provide education in music for all age groups in many disciplines.
with the following places: Dundalk, Ontario
, Canada
Dundalk, Maryland
, United States
Rezé
, France
County town
A county town is a county's administrative centre in the United Kingdom or Ireland. County towns are usually the location of administrative or judicial functions, or established over time as the de facto main town of a county. The concept of a county town eventually became detached from its...
of County Louth
County Louth
County Louth is a county of Ireland. It is part of the Border Region and is also located in the province of Leinster. It is named after the town of Louth. Louth County Council is the local authority for the county...
in Ireland
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,...
. It is situated where the Castletown River
Castletown River
The Castletown River is a river which flows through the town of Dundalk, County Louth, Ireland. It rises near Newtownhamilton, County Armagh, Northern Ireland, and is known as the Creggan River in its upper reaches. Its two main tributaries are the Kilcurry and Falmore rivers and it enters the...
flows into Dundalk Bay
Dundalk Bay
Dundalk Bay is a large , exposed estuary on the east coast of Ireland.The inner bay is shallow, sandy and intertidal, though it slopes into a deeper area 2km from the transitional water boundary. It is predominantly influenced by the sea, though several rivers drain into the bay from the west...
. The town is close to the border with Northern Ireland
Northern Ireland
Northern Ireland is one of the four countries of the United Kingdom. Situated in the north-east of the island of Ireland, it shares a border with the Republic of Ireland to the south and west...
and equi-distant from Dublin and Belfast
Belfast
Belfast is the capital of and largest city in Northern Ireland. By population, it is the 14th biggest city in the United Kingdom and second biggest on the island of Ireland . It is the seat of the devolved government and legislative Northern Ireland Assembly...
. The town's name, which was historically written as Dundalgan, has associations with the mythical warrior Cú Chulainn
Cú Chulainn
Cú Chulainn or Cúchulainn , and sometimes known in English as Cuhullin , is an Irish mythological hero who appears in the stories of the Ulster Cycle, as well as in Scottish and Manx folklore...
. The town's crest reads Mé do rug Cú Chulainn Cróga, meaning "I gave birth to brave Cú Chulainn". It was granted its charter in 1189. Within legally defined boundaries it is the largest town
Town
A town is a human settlement larger than a village but smaller than a city. The size a settlement must be in order to be called a "town" varies considerably in different parts of the world, so that, for example, many American "small towns" seem to British people to be no more than villages, while...
in Ireland (pop. 31,073). It is also the largest by area. Dundalk's rural population is 25,581 giving a combined statistical area of 56,654.
In 2003, Dundalk was amongst nine cities and towns to be designated Gateway status in the Irish Government's National Spatial Strategy.
History
The Dundalk area has been inhabited since at least 3500 BC, when NeolithicNeolithic
The Neolithic Age, Era, or Period, or New Stone Age, was a period in the development of human technology, beginning about 9500 BC in some parts of the Middle East, and later in other parts of the world. It is traditionally considered as the last part of the Stone Age...
farmers first came to Ireland. A tangible reminder of their presence can still be seen in the form of the Proleek Dolmen, the eroded remains of a megalith
Megalith
A megalith is a large stone that has been used to construct a structure or monument, either alone or together with other stones. Megalithic describes structures made of such large stones, utilizing an interlocking system without the use of mortar or cement.The word 'megalith' comes from the Ancient...
ic tomb located at Ballymascanlon
Ballymascanlon
Ballymascanlan , otherwise Ballymascanlon, is a small village and townland in County Louth, Ireland, situated 4 km north-east of Dundalk on the road to Carlingford.-History:...
a few miles to the north of Dundalk. Celtic culture arrived in Ireland around 500 BC, having colonised most of Europe
Europe
Europe is, by convention, one of the world's seven continents. Comprising the westernmost peninsula of Eurasia, Europe is generally 'divided' from Asia to its east by the watershed divides of the Ural and Caucasus Mountains, the Ural River, the Caspian and Black Seas, and the waterways connecting...
. The group that settled in North Louth were known as the Conaille Muirtheimhne and took their name from Conaill Carnagh, legendary chief of the Red Branch Knights of Ulster
Ulster
Ulster is one of the four provinces of Ireland, located in the north of the island. In ancient Ireland, it was one of the fifths ruled by a "king of over-kings" . Following the Norman invasion of Ireland, the ancient kingdoms were shired into a number of counties for administrative and judicial...
. Their land now forms upper and lower Dundalk. The poets in Celtic society were known as the and were responsible for mythological tales and legends, the most famous being the tales of the Red Branch Knights, the Táin
Tain
Tain is a royal burgh and post town in the committee area of Ross and Cromarty, in the Highland area of Scotland.-Etymology:...
Bó Cuailgne and Cúchulainn.
Dundalk had been originally developed as an unwalled (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.
In 1169
1169 in Ireland
-Events:* 1 May - Norman invasion of Ireland starts with the arrival of Norman military leaders FitzStephen, Fitzgerald and others.*Wexford is taken.*Dermot MacMurrough is restored as King of Leinster....
, the Normans
Normans
The Normans were the people who gave their name to Normandy, a region in northern France. They were descended from Norse Viking conquerors of the territory and the native population of Frankish and Gallo-Roman stock...
arrived in Ireland and set about conquering large areas. By 1185
1185 in Ireland
-Events:*Prince John’s first visit to Ireland.*Occupation of the lands in Limerick begun by Theobald Walter, William de Burgh and Philip of Worcester....
a Norman nobleman named Bertram de Verdun
Bertram de Verdun
Bertram de Verdun was the name of several members of the Norman family of Verdun, native of Avranchin.For the historian Mark Hagger, the Verdun family lived lavishly in Normandy where they were minor land holders, and after the Norman conquest of England they were granted land in England...
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
John de Courcy
John de Courcy was a Anglo-Norman knight who arrived in Ireland in 1176. From then until his expulsion in 1204, he conquered a considerable territory, endowed religious establishments, built abbeys for both the Benedictines and the Cistercians and built strongholds at Dundrum Castle in County...
, 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. The town of Dundalk was developed as it lay close to an easy bridging point over the Castletown River and as a frontier town on the northern extremities of the Pale
The Pale
The Pale or the English Pale , was the part of Ireland that was directly under the control of the English government in the late Middle Ages. It had reduced by the late 15th century to an area along the east coast stretching from Dalkey, south of Dublin, to the garrison town of Dundalk...
. In 1236 Bertram’s granddaughter, Rohesia commissioned Castle Roche
Castle Roche
Castle Roche is a Norman castle located north-west of Dundalk, Co. Louth. It was the seat of the De Verdun family , who built the castle in 1236 AD....
to fortify the region, and to offer protection from the Irish
Irish people
The Irish people are an ethnic group who originate in Ireland, an island in northwestern Europe. Ireland has been populated for around 9,000 years , with the Irish people's earliest ancestors recorded having legends of being descended from groups such as the Nemedians, Fomorians, Fir Bolg, Tuatha...
territory of Ulster
Ulster
Ulster is one of the four provinces of Ireland, located in the north of the island. In ancient Ireland, it was one of the fifths ruled by a "king of over-kings" . Following the Norman invasion of Ireland, the ancient kingdoms were shired into a number of counties for administrative and judicial...
.
Further, the town was sacked in 1315, during the Bruce campaign.
The modern town of Dundalk largely owes its form to Lord Limerick (later James Hamilton, 1st Earl of Clanbrassil) in the 17th century. He was responsible for 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
Linen
Linen is a textile made from the fibers of the flax plant, Linum usitatissimum. Linen is labor-intensive to manufacture, but when it is made into garments, it is valued for its exceptional coolness and freshness in hot weather....
and cambric
Cambric
Cambric, pronounced , "one of the finest and most dense species of the cloth manufacture", is a lightweight plain weave cloth, originally from Cambrai, woven in greige, then bleached and piece-dyed, often glazed or calendered. Initially made from flax, then cotton in the 19th century, it is also...
factory at its eastern end, adjacent to what was once an army cavalry and artillery barracks (now Aiken Military 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
Dock (maritime)
A dock is a human-made structure or group of structures involved in the handling of boats or ships, usually on or close to a shore.However, the exact meaning varies among different variants of the English language...
area or 'Quay' and the setting up of a board of commissioners to run the town.
The partition of Ireland
Partition of Ireland
The partition of Ireland was the division of the island of Ireland into two distinct territories, now Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland . Partition occurred when the British Parliament passed the Government of Ireland Act 1920...
in May 1921
1921 in Ireland
-Events:*February 5 - In Brighton, England, the widow of Charles Stewart Parnell, Katherine Parnell, dies aged 76.*March 5 - Irish War of Independence: Clonbanin Ambush: Irish Republican Army kills Brigadier General Cumming....
turned Dundalk into a border town and the Dublin–Belfast
Belfast
Belfast is the capital of and largest city in Northern Ireland. By population, it is the 14th biggest city in the United Kingdom and second biggest on the island of Ireland . It is the seat of the devolved government and legislative Northern Ireland Assembly...
main line into an international railway
Rail transport
Rail transport is a means of conveyance of passengers and goods by way of wheeled vehicles running on rail tracks. In contrast to road transport, where vehicles merely run on a prepared surface, rail vehicles are also directionally guided by the tracks they run on...
. The Irish Free State
Irish Free State
The Irish Free State was the state established as a Dominion on 6 December 1922 under the Anglo-Irish Treaty, signed by the British government and Irish representatives exactly twelve months beforehand...
opened customs
Customs
Customs is an authority or agency in a country responsible for collecting and safeguarding customs duties and for controlling the flow of goods including animals, transports, personal effects and hazardous items in and out of a country...
and immigration
Immigration
Immigration is the act of foreigners passing or coming into a country for the purpose of permanent residence...
facilities at Dundalk to check goods and passengers crossing the border by train. The Irish Civil War
Irish Civil War
The Irish Civil War was a conflict that accompanied the establishment of the Irish Free State as an entity independent from the United Kingdom within the British Empire....
of 1922-23 saw a number of confrontations in Dundalk. The local Fourth Northern Division of the Irish Republican Army
Fourth Northern Division of the Irish Republican Army
The Fourth Northern Division of the Irish Republican Army operated in an area covering parts of counties Louth, Armagh, Monaghan, and Down. Frank Aiken was commander and Padraig Quinn was the quartermaster general. John McCoy was Adjutant General for the division; after he was shot and captured by...
under Frank Aiken
Frank Aiken
Frank Aiken was a commander of the Irish Republican Army and later an Irish politician. A founding-member of Fianna Fáil, Aiken was first elected to Dáil Éireann in 1923 and at each subsequent election until 1973...
tried to stay neutral but 300 of them were arrested by the new Irish Army
Irish Army
The Irish Army, officially named simply the Army is the main branch of the Defence Forces of Ireland. Approximately 8,500 men and women serve in the Irish Army, divided into three infantry Brigades...
in August 1922
1922 in Ireland
-Events:*January 2 - The first edition of the newspaper Poblacht na hÉireann is published. It is established by republican opponents to the Anglo-Irish Treaty who declare their fealty to the Irish Republic....
. However, a raid on the barrack freed Aiken and two weeks later he took 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.
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
Provisional Irish Republican Army
The Provisional Irish Republican Army is an Irish republican paramilitary organisation whose aim was to remove Northern Ireland from the United Kingdom and bring about a socialist republic within a united Ireland by force of arms and political persuasion...
and Sinn Féin
Sinn Féin
Sinn Féin is a left wing, Irish republican political party in Ireland. The name is Irish for "ourselves" or "we ourselves", although it is frequently mistranslated as "ourselves alone". Originating in the Sinn Féin organisation founded in 1905 by Arthur Griffith, it took its current form in 1970...
. It was in this period that Dundalk earned the nickname 'El Paso
El Paso
El Paso, a city in the U.S. state of Texas, on the border with Mexico.El Paso may also refer to:-Geography:Colombia:* El Paso, CesarSpain:*El Paso, Santa Cruz de TenerifeUnited States:...
', after the Texan
Texan
Texan normally refers to someone who originated from, or who lives in, the state of Texas in the United States of America.Texan may also refer to:-Aircraft:* T-6 Texan, WWII era training plane...
border town of the same name on the border with Mexico
Mexico
The United Mexican States , commonly known as Mexico , is a federal constitutional republic in North America. It is bordered on the north by the United States; on the south and west by the Pacific Ocean; on the southeast by Guatemala, Belize, and the Caribbean Sea; and on the east by the Gulf of...
.
Dundalk suffered economically when Irish membership of the European Economic Community
European Economic Community
The European Economic Community The European Economic Community (EEC) The European Economic Community (EEC) (also known as the Common Market in the English-speaking world, renamed the European Community (EC) in 1993The information in this article primarily covers the EEC's time as an independent...
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
Celtic 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...
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
Harp Lager
Harp Lager, is a pale lager brand created in 1960 by the Guinness Brewery in their Dundalk brewery. It is a leading lager brand in Ireland, and is also popular in Australia, Canada, Africa and the United States...
, a beer produced by Diageo, is brewed in the Great Northern Brewery, Dundalk.
Transport
Liverpool
Liverpool is a city and metropolitan borough of Merseyside, England, along the eastern side of the Mersey Estuary. It was founded as a borough in 1207 and was granted city status in 1880...
were provided from 1837 by the Dundalk Steam Packet Company
Dundalk Steam Packet Company
The Dundalk Steam Packet Company provided shipping services between Dundalk and Liverpool from 1837 to 1871.-History:The company was founded in 1837 by Neal Kelly....
.
Dundalk is an important stop along the Dublin–Belfast railway line, being the last station on the Irish 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
Derry
Derry or Londonderry is the second-biggest city in Northern Ireland and the fourth-biggest city on the island of Ireland. The name Derry is an anglicisation of the Irish name Doire or Doire Cholmcille meaning "oak-wood of Colmcille"...
by 1859 and Greenore
Greenore
Greenore is a small town, townland and deep water port on Carlingford Lough in County Louth, Ireland. The population of Greenore and the surrounding rural area was 898 in the 2002 Irish census....
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
Dundalk railway station
Dundalk Clarke railway station serves Dundalk in County Louth, Ireland. It consists of an island platform, with a bay facing south. It is served by the Dublin-Belfast "Enterprise" express trains as well as local Commuter services to and from Dublin...
was renamed Dundalk Clarke Station after the Irish republican activist Tom Clarke
Tom Clarke (Irish republican)
Thomas James "Tom" Clarke was an Irish revolutionary leader and arguably the person most responsible for the 1916 Easter Rising. A proponent of violent revolution for most of his life, he spent 15 years in prison...
, 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.
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
National Development Plan
National Development Plan is the title given by the Irish Government to a scheme of organised large-scale expenditure on national infrastructure. The period covered by the seven year plan runs from 2000 to 2006. A second National Development Plan is currently in progress and is due to run until...
—a better integration with the neighbouring Dublin, Midlands Gateway
Midlands Gateway
-Midlands Gateway or Lake-Counties Gateway:Centered between the major Irish airports, of Dublin, Shannon, and Knock, with ever improving ground infrastructure, the Irish government and local authorities plan to alleviate urban problems, by decentralising to growing gateways such as the Midlands...
, and Cavan
Cavan
Cavan is the county town of County Cavan in the Republic of Ireland. The town lies in the north central part of Ireland, near the border with Northern Ireland...
/Monaghan
Monaghan
Monaghan is the county town of County Monaghan in Ireland. Its population at the 2006 census stood at 7,811 . The town is located on the main road, the N2 road, from Dublin north to both Derry and Letterkenny.-Toponym:...
Hubs.
The M1 - N1/A1
A1 road (Northern Ireland)
The A1 is a major route in Northern Ireland. It runs from Belfast via Lisburn and Banbridge to the border with the Republic of Ireland south of Newry, from where the road continues to Dublin, becoming the N1 road and M1 motorway...
now connects Dundalk to Dublin and Newry
Newry
Newry is a city in Northern Ireland. The River Clanrye, which runs through the city, formed the historic border between County Armagh and County Down. It is from Belfast and from Dublin. Newry had a population of 27,433 at the 2001 Census, while Newry and Mourne Council Area had a population...
. Works to extend it to Belfast
Belfast
Belfast is the capital of and largest city in Northern Ireland. By population, it is the 14th biggest city in the United Kingdom and second biggest on the island of Ireland . It is the seat of the devolved government and legislative Northern Ireland Assembly...
are ongoing and are scheduled to end in winter 2010.
Education
Dundalk Institute of TechnologyDundalk Institute of Technology
Dundalk Institute of Technology formerly Regional Technical College, Dundalk is a campus situated in Dundalk, County Louth, Ireland, halfway between Dublin and Belfast . The campus is 800 metres from the main Dublin Belfast road and 3 minutes drive from the M1 motorway to Dublin. Dublin Airport...
(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. It has since evolved to become one of the major third level institutions, providing wide ranging full-time and part-time under-graduate and post-graduate courses.
Primary schoolsIrish languageGaelscoil A gaelscoil is an Irish-medium primary school in Ireland, of a sort found outside the traditionally Irish-speaking regions, especially in urban areas....
English language English medium education An English medium education system is one that uses English as the primary medium of instruction - in particular where English is not the mother tongue of the students....
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Secondary schools
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Sport
Dundalk has a long and proud history of sport with Dundalk F.C.Dundalk F.C.
Dundalk Football Club is a professional Irish football club based in Dundalk, County Louth. 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. The...
and Dundalk R.F.C
Dundalk R.F.C
Dundalk RFC is an Irish Rugby football club from Dundalk, County Louth, that play in the Leinster League....
.
In recent years Dundalk has seen the development of new sporting facilities including the JJB Soccer Dome and the Dundalk Ice Dome
Dundalk Ice Dome
Dundalk Ice Dome is the 1st permanent ice arena in Ireland, located in Dundalk Retail Park, Dundalk, County Louth, Republic of Ireland. The Ice Dome aims to become the centre of excellence for ice hockey in Ireland. It is currently home to the Irish national ice hockey squad and local team the...
where local ice hockey team the Dundalk Bulls
Dundalk Bulls
The Dundalk Bulls are an ice hockey team from Dundalk, Ireland and compete in the Irish Ice Hockey League and the newly formed Celtic Cup League, with games being played in Ireland and Scotland...
play. The Ice Dome hosted the IIHF World Championship of Division III in April 2007.
Dundalk also has a long horseracing tradition. August 2007 saw Ireland's first all-weather horseracing track open up on the site of the old Dundalk racecourse. The course held Ireland's first ever meeting under floodlights on September 27, 2007. Greyhound racing also takes place at Dundalk Stadium.
Dundalk also held its first ever National Fencing tournament in April 2007.
Dundalk also has a basketball team The Dundalk Ravens.
Dundalk also has a tennis club, the club was founded in 1913 and held the Senior Interprovincial Championschips (inter-pros) on August 29–31, 2010 .
Dundalk Cricket Club was founded in November 2009 and began playing matches in the 2010 season. It achieved the rare distinction of being recognised by the world leading cricket magazine The Wisden Cricketer
The Wisden Cricketer
The Wisden Cricketer is the world's best-selling monthly cricket magazine.It was created in 2003 by a merger between The Cricketer magazine and Wisden Cricket Monthly....
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
Leinster Cricket Union
The Leinster Cricket Union, also known as Cricket Leinster, is one of four provincial governing bodies for cricket in Ireland. Along with the Northern, Munster and North West unions, it makes up the Irish Cricket Union , the supreme governing body of Irish cricket.The Leinster jurisdiction covers...
and played in Leinster Senior League
Leinster Senior League
Competition confined to senior rugby union clubs in the province of Leinster.* 1971* 1972 St. Mary's College* 1973 Wanderers beat Bective Rangers* 1974 Landsdowne beat Wanderers* 1975 Blackrock College beat Bective Rangers...
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.
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 over the last few seasons 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, find out more about the Dundalk Snooker League www.dundalksnookerleague.com
Arts
Dundalk has two photography clubs - Dundalk Photographic Society and the Tain Photographic Club. In 2010 Dundalk Photographic Society won the FIAP Photography Club World Cup.Dundalk has a vibrant music environment. The following can be found:
The Fr.McNally Chamber Orchestra created in April 2010. It is a string chamber orchestra made of violins, violas, double basses and celli and has 29 members.
The Cross Border Orchestra of Ireland (CBOI) which is one of Ireland's primary youth orchestras. It is based in the Dundalk Institute of Technology and maintains a membership of 160 young musicians between the ages of 12 and 24 years. The CBOI was established in 1995 shortly after the implementation of the Peace Process and is recognised internationally and one of Ireland's flagship peace initiatives. The CBOI tours regularly to Europe and America and has sold out such prestigious venues as Carnegie Hall, New York and Chicago Symphony Hall.
The Clermont Chorale. It was formed in 2003 and has 30 members, drawn from all parts of County Louth. Its repertoire includes music from the 17th to the 21st century, across many styles and genres.
Dundalk School of Music. Created in February 2010, it aims to provide education in music for all age groups in many disciplines.
People
- BagatelleBagatelle (band)Bagatelle are an Irish rock band who first formed in August 1978. They are well known for their popular pop hits such as 'Second Violin' and other traditional Irish songs such as "Summer in Dublin"....
Irish Rock Band, Scribed songs like "Summer in Dublin", shared the stage with artists like Bob Marley, Phil Coulter etc. - Brendan O'DowdaBrendan O'DowdaBrendan O'Dowda was an Irish tenor who popularised the songs of Percy French.O'Dowda was born in Dundalk, County Louth and was educated at the De la Salle Brothers' school in the town. His early promise as a singer brought him to the attention of Dr. Vincent O'Brien, who had taught John McCormack...
(1925–2002), Irish tenorTenorThe tenor is a type of male singing voice and is the highest male voice within the modal register. The typical tenor voice lies between C3, the C one octave below middle C, to the A above middle C in choral music, and up to high C in solo work. The low extreme for tenors is roughly B2...
who popularised the songs of Percy French. - Cathy MaguireCathy MaguireCathy Maguire an accomplished singer and songwriter who was born in Dundalk, County Louth, Ireland on 11 October 1981. At a very young age she became known locally as a child star. She recorded her first album at the age of twelve and after several listeners' requests, she was invited by Gerry...
, singer-songwriter. Currently lives in the United States. - Dawn Martin, Singer who represented Ireland in the 1998 Eurovision concert finishing 9th.
- Dermot AhernDermot AhernDermot Christopher Ahern is a former Irish Fianna Fáil politician. He was a Teachta Dála for the Louth constituency from 1987 to 2011...
, local solicitor and Fianna Fáil party politician. Formerly Ireland's Minister for Justice. - Dorothy MacardleDorothy MacardleDorothy Macardle was an Irish author and historian. Her book, The Irish Republic, is one of the more frequently cited narrative accounts of the Irish War of Independence and its aftermath...
(1889–1960), revolutionary, author and playwright. - Francis Leopold McClintockFrancis Leopold McClintockAdmiral Sir Francis Leopold McClintock or Francis Leopold M'Clintock KCB, FRS was an Irish explorer in the British Royal Navy who is known for his discoveries in the Canadian Arctic Archipelago.-Biography:...
, arctic explorer, discoverer of the fate of Franklin. - John MooreJohn Moore (movie director)John Moore is an Irish director, producer, and writer.-Early life and career:Moore was born in Dundalk, Ireland and attended Dublin Institute of Technology, where he attained a degree in Media Arts. Upon completing his course, Moore genuinely believed that he wouldn't go on to work within the...
, film director, producer, and writer. - John Phillip Holland, Inventor of the submarine, worked as a teacher in Colaiste Ris, Dundalk.
- Liam ReillyLiam ReillyLiam Reilly is an Irish singer/songwriter and a former member of the group Bagatelle. Bagatelle were formed in 1978 by drummer Walter McConville along with bass player Ken O'Brien and guitarist John Doyle...
, singer who represented Ireland in the 1990 Eurovision Song ContestEurovision Song ContestThe Eurovision Song Contest is an annual competition held among active member countries of the European Broadcasting Union .Each member country submits a song to be performed on live television and then casts votes for the other countries' songs to determine the most popular song in the competition...
finishing 2nd and singer in the group BagatelleBagatelle (band)Bagatelle are an Irish rock band who first formed in August 1978. They are well known for their popular pop hits such as 'Second Violin' and other traditional Irish songs such as "Summer in Dublin"....
. - Nicholas CallanNicholas CallanFather Nicholas Joseph Callan was an Irish priest and scientist from Darver, Co. Louth, Ireland. He was Professor of Natural Philosophy in Maynooth College near Dublin from 1834, and is best known for his work on the induction coil....
, scientist who made the first induction coil went to primary school here. - Paddy Clarke, President of Irish Professional Photographers AssociationIrish Professional Photographers AssociationIrish Professional Photographers Association is a non-profit association for professional photographers. In spite of the name, membership is not limited to Ireland.*Membership: Over 350.*Founded: 1949.Management Council*President:...
. (IPPA). - Patrick McDonnellPatrick McDonnell (actor)Patrick McDonnell is an Irish actor and comedian. He has recently starred in the RTÉ hidden camera comedy show Naked Camera and the sketch show Stew. However he is probably best remembered at home and abroad for his role as Eoin McLove in the Channel 4 sitcom Father Ted.Patrick McDonnell is a...
, actor in Naked CameraNaked CameraNaked Camera is an Irish hidden camera comedy television show which began airing on RTÉ Two in 2005. It is set and filmed in the Republic of Ireland, mostly in Dublin. Its concept is similar to that of the UK show Trigger Happy TV but can be seen as a descendent of the candid camera elements in...
and Father TedFather TedFather Ted is a comedy series set in Ireland that was produced by Hat Trick Productions for British broadcaster Channel 4. Written jointly by Irish writers Arthur Mathews and Graham Linehan and starring a predominantly Irish cast, it originally aired over three series from 21 April 1995 until 1 May...
. - Peter RicePeter RicePeter Rice was an Irish structural engineer.Born in 52 Brigid Street, Dundalk in County Louth, he spent his childhood between the town of Dundalk, and the villages of Gyles' Quay and Inniskeen. He was educated at the Queen's University of Belfast where he received his primary degree, and spent a...
(19351935 in Ireland-Events:*January 3 - An Anglo-Irish Coal-Cattle Pact is signed between the governments of Britain and the Irish Free State.*January 20 - 40 men from the Connemara Gaeltacht travel to County Meath to inspect the area which is to be settled by residents of the Gaeltacht.*January 27 - Relics and...
-19921992 in Ireland-Events:*January 20 - Peter Brooke offers to resign as Secretary of State for Northern Ireland following criticism of his singing on The Late Late Show only hours after an IRA bomb explodes....
). Noted engineer, worked on the Sydney Opera HouseSydney Opera HouseThe Sydney Opera House is a multi-venue performing arts centre in the Australian city of Sydney. It was conceived and largely built by Danish architect Jørn Utzon, finally opening in 1973 after a long gestation starting with his competition-winning design in 1957...
, Louvre PyramidLouvre PyramidThe Louvre Pyramid is a large glass and metal pyramid, surrounded by three smaller pyramids, in the main courtyard of the Louvre Palace in Paris. The large pyramid serves as the main entrance to the Louvre Museum...
and Centre Pompidou as well as numerous other world famous buildings. - Rob KearneyRob KearneyRobert Kearney , also referred to as Rob Kearney, is an Irish rugby union footballer who currently plays for UCD, Leinster and Ireland. As a youth he also played rugby union for Clongowes Wood College and Gaelic football for Louth in the All-Ireland Minor Football Championship...
Rugby player, current player for both LeinsterLeinster RugbyLeinster Rugby, usually referred to simply as Leinster, is an Irish professional rugby union team based in Dublin, representing the Irish province of Leinster, that competes in the RaboDirect Pro 12 and also competes in the Heineken Cup...
and IrelandIrish Rugby Football UnionThe Irish Rugby Football Union is the body managing rugby union in Ireland. The IRFU has its head office at 10/12 Lansdowne Road and home ground at Aviva Stadium, where Irish rugby union international matches are played...
. - Steve StauntonSteve StauntonStephen "Steve" Staunton is an Irish association football manager and former professional footballer, who was most recently manager of Darlington...
, former footballFootball (soccer)Association football, more commonly known as football or soccer, is a sport played between two teams of eleven players with a spherical ball...
player and former Republic of Ireland national football teamRepublic of Ireland national football teamThe Republic of Ireland national football team represents Ireland in association football. It is run by the Football Association of Ireland and currently plays home fixtures at Aviva Stadium in Dublin, which opened in May 2010....
manager. - The CorrsThe CorrsThe Corrs are an Irish band which combine pop rock with traditional Celtic folk music. The brother and sisters are from Dundalk, Ireland. The group consists of the Corr siblings: Andrea ; Sharon ; Caroline ; and Jim .The Corrs came to international prominence with their performance at the...
, Celtic folk rock group and family, born and raised in Dundalk. - Thomas CoulterThomas CoulterThomas Coulter , of Dundalk, was an Irish physician, botanist, and explorer. He was a member of the Royal Irish Academy, and a fellow of Trinity College, Dublin, where he founded the college's herbarium....
, (17931793 in Ireland-Events:* Roman Catholic Relief Act relieves Catholics of certain political, educational and economic disabilities.-Births:*3 April - Dionysius Lardner, scientific writer .*12 August - James Muspratt, chemical manufacturer in Britain ....
-18431843 in Ireland-Events:*January - Daniel O'Connell proclaims 1843 as the "Repeal Year".*31 January - Queen's Bridge in Belfast opens.*21 February - Repeal debate in Dublin Corporation....
) botanist and doctor. - Tom SharkeyTom SharkeyTom 'Sailor Tom' Sharkey was a boxer who fought two fights with heavyweight champion James J. Jeffries. Sharkey's recorded ring career spanned from 1893 to 1904. He is credited with having won 40 fights , 7 losses, and 5 draws...
, (1873–1953) Heavyweight boxer. - Tommy Byrne, Former Formula 1 racing driver.
- Tommy TraynorTommy TraynorTommy Traynor was an Irish footballer who played his entire English professional career for Southampton between 1952 and 1966....
, (1933–2006) former footballer, Republic of Ireland national football teamRepublic of Ireland national football teamThe Republic of Ireland national football team represents Ireland in association football. It is run by the Football Association of Ireland and currently plays home fixtures at Aviva Stadium in Dublin, which opened in May 2010....
and Southampton FC left-back. - The FlawsThe FlawsThe Flaws are an Irish Choice Music Prize-nominated, Meteor Award nominated indie-rock quartet, hailing from Carrickmacross in County Monaghan and Dundalk in County Louth...
Indie Rock Band. - Henry McShane, Emigrated to the United StatesUnited StatesThe United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
founded the McShane Bell FoundryMcShane Bell FoundryThe McShane Bell Foundry, located in Glen Burnie, Maryland, is a maker of church bells. Since its founding in 1856 by Henry McShane, it has produced over 300,000 bells; at one time, the foundry also produced pipes and plumbing fixtures...
and named the rail depot and subsequently the town Dundalk, MarylandDundalk, Maryland-Demographics:As of the census of 2000, there were 62,306 people, 24,772 households, and 16,968 families residing in the CDP. The population density was 4,689.5 people per square mile . There were 26,385 housing units at an average density of 1,985.9 per square mile...
after his home town in the 19th Century.
Twinning
Dundalk is twinnedTown twinning
Twin towns and sister cities are two of many terms used to describe the cooperative agreements between towns, cities, and even counties in geographically and politically distinct areas to promote cultural and commercial ties.- Terminology :...
with the following places: Dundalk, Ontario
Dundalk, Ontario
Dundalk Originally called McDowell's Corners, Dundalk was incorporated as a village in 1887, and on January 1, 2000, was amalgamated with the Township of Proton and the Township of Egremont to form the Township of Southgate, located in the southeast corner of Grey County. The mayor of Southgate is...
, Canada
Canada
Canada is a North American country consisting of ten provinces and three territories. Located in the northern part of the continent, it extends from the Atlantic Ocean in the east to the Pacific Ocean in the west, and northward into the Arctic Ocean...
Dundalk, Maryland
Dundalk, Maryland
-Demographics:As of the census of 2000, there were 62,306 people, 24,772 households, and 16,968 families residing in the CDP. The population density was 4,689.5 people per square mile . There were 26,385 housing units at an average density of 1,985.9 per square mile...
, United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
Rezé
Rezé
Rezé is a commune in the Loire-Atlantique department in western France.It was also called Ratiate in the Middle Ages and Rezay in the High Middle Ages.Inhabitants of Rezé are called Rezéens.-Panorama:...
, France
France
The French Republic , The French Republic , The French Republic , (commonly known as France , is a unitary semi-presidential republic in Western Europe with several overseas territories and islands located on other continents and in the Indian, Pacific, and Atlantic oceans. Metropolitan France...
See also
- List of abbeys and priories in County Louth
- List of towns and villages in Ireland
- Dundalk (Parliament of Ireland constituency)Dundalk (Parliament of Ireland constituency)Dundalk was a constituency represented in the Irish House of Commons to 1801.-History:In the Patriot Parliament of 1689 summoned by King James II, Dundalk was represented with two members.-1689–1801:...
, which existed until the Act of UnionAct of Union 1800The Acts of Union 1800 describe two complementary Acts, namely:* the Union with Ireland Act 1800 , an Act of the Parliament of Great Britain, and...
in 1800 - Dundalk (UK Parliament constituency)Dundalk (UK Parliament constituency)Dundalk was a parliamentary borough constituency in Ireland, which returned one Member of Parliament to the House of Commons of the Parliament of the United Kingdom...
, which existed 18011801 in Ireland-Events:* January 1 - Legislative union of Kingdom of Great Britain and the Kingdom of Ireland completed under the Act of Union 1800, bringing about the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland....
-18851885 in Ireland-Events:*The Munster & Leinster Bank begins operations following the collapse of the Munster Bank - see Allied Irish Banks.*The Railway Tavern in Belfast is renovated and reopened as the Crown Liquor Saloon....
External links
- DundalkLive.ie - Events guide, community portal and business directory
- Dundalk Chamber of Commerce
- Dundalk Town Council
- Architecture of Dundalk
- Dundalk Stadium - Greyhound and Horse Racing
- Dundalk Ice Dome
- Dundalk.ie
- Town Centre Commercial Manager
- Louth County Museum in Dundalk
- Louth Hospital in Dundalk
- Dundalk FC
- Dundalk Institute of Technology
- St Mary's college
- Dundalk Port
- Dundalk Photographic Society