South-West Region, Ireland
Encyclopedia
The South-West Region is a NUTS Level III region of Ireland
and is governed by the South-West Regional Authority
. It consists of the area under the jurisdiction of the county councils of counties Cork
and Kerry
, along with Cork City Council
. The South-West region spans 12,161 km2, roughly 16% of the total area of the state and according to the 2006 census has a population of 621,130. The regional capital is Cork City. Its NUTS code is IE025.
The South-West Region benefits from a mild climate and has a very scenic environment, which includes features such as Macgillycuddy's Reeks
(the highest mountain range in Ireland), the Dingle Peninsula
, Mizen Head
and the Iveragh Peninsula
along with numerous small islands.
The Authority has responsibility for strategic planning and the promotion of the coordinated delivery of public services in the region. Like each Regional Authority, the South-West Regional Authority is assisted in its duties by an Operational Committee and EU Operational Committee. The authority employs a staff of four.
According to the 2006 census, the South-West region had a population of 621,130, which constitutes 14.65% of the national population. Its population density was 51.08 persons per km2. The population of the regional capital, Cork City, including its suburbs was 190,384.
Regional GDP in 2002 was given as €22,377m, with GDP per capita forming 131.3% of the state. Its GDP per capita was 174.6% of EU25.
The workforce of the region in 2003 was 255,800, which equated to a 95.58% employment rate with services (59.9%), industrial employment (31.2%), and agriculture (8.9%) forming the key industries.
, both of which provide a wide range of flights to locations across Europe
. The region also has ferry services operating between Cork, the United Kingdom
and France
.
is the westernmost point located 12.5 km west of the Dingle Peninsula in Kerry. The southernmost point is Fastnet Rock
which lies 11.3 km south of mainland County Cork. Only including mainland Ireland, Brow Head
, County Cork is the southernmost point and Dunmore Head, County Kerry is the westernmost point. Ireland's twelve highest mountains are located in County Kerry. Killarney National Park
in Kerry has Ireland's only native herd of Red Deer
and the most extensive covering of native forest remaining in Ireland. The southwest has a total of 132,274 hectares (326,856 acres) of Forest and woodland area, larger than six different Irish counties. The area of the Southwest is 12,203 km2, roughly 14.5% of Ireland
's land area which is large enough to fit the 10 smallest counties inside it and almost as large as Northern Ireland
. The combined coastline of Cork and Kerry is 1,778 km including islands.
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 South-West 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 counties Cork
County Cork
County Cork is a county in Ireland. It is located in the South-West Region and is also part of the province of Munster. It is named after the city of Cork . Cork County Council is the local authority for the county...
and Kerry
County Kerry
Kerry means the "people of Ciar" which was the name of the pre-Gaelic tribe who lived in part of the present county. The legendary founder of the tribe was Ciar, son of Fergus mac Róich. In Old Irish "Ciar" meant black or dark brown, and the word continues in use in modern Irish as an adjective...
, along with Cork City Council
Cork City Council
Cork City Council is the local authority which is responsible for the city of Cork and its immediate hinterland in Ireland. The Council is responsible for Housing and Community, Roads and Transportation, Urban planning and Development, Amenity and Culture, and Environment...
. The South-West region spans 12,161 km2, roughly 16% of the total area of the state and according to the 2006 census has a population of 621,130. The regional capital is Cork City. Its NUTS code is IE025.
The South-West Region benefits from a mild climate and has a very scenic environment, which includes features such as Macgillycuddy's Reeks
Macgillycuddy's Reeks
MacGillycuddy's Reeks is a mountain range in County Kerry, Republic of Ireland. Stretching slightly over , it includes the highest peaks in Ireland and the only peaks on the island that are over . The highest of these is Corrán Tuathail or Carrauntoohil , followed by Binn Chaorach and Cathair na...
(the highest mountain range in Ireland), the Dingle Peninsula
Dingle Peninsula
The Dingle Peninsula is the northernmost of the major peninsulae in County Kerry. Its ends beyond the town of Dingle at Dunmore Head, the westernmost point of Ireland.-Name:...
, Mizen Head
Mizen Head
Mizen Head , is located at the extremity of a peninsula in the district of Carbery in County Cork, Ireland. It is one of the extreme points of the island of Ireland and is a major tourist attraction, noted for its dramatic cliff scenery...
and the Iveragh Peninsula
Iveragh Peninsula
The Iveragh Peninsula is located in County Kerry in Ireland. It is the largest peninsula in southwestern Ireland. A mountain range, the Macgillycuddy's Reeks, lies in the centre of the peninsula...
along with numerous small islands.
South-West Regional Authority
The South-West Regional Authority consists of 24 elected representatives, including the region's representative on the EU Committee of the Regions. These representatives meet once a month and are nominated from the three administrative councils of the region:- Cork City CouncilCork City CouncilCork City Council is the local authority which is responsible for the city of Cork and its immediate hinterland in Ireland. The Council is responsible for Housing and Community, Roads and Transportation, Urban planning and Development, Amenity and Culture, and Environment...
(7) - Cork County CouncilCork County CouncilCork County Council is the local authority which is responsible for County Cork in Ireland. The Council is responsible for Housing and Community, Roads and Transportation, Urban planning and Development, Amenity and Culture, and Environment. The head of the council has the title of Cathaoirleach...
(9) - Kerry County CouncilKerry County CouncilKerry County Council is the local authority which is responsible for County Kerry in Ireland. The Council is responsible for Housing and Community, Roads and Transportation, Urban planning and Development, Amenity and Culture, and Environment. The head of the council has the title of Mayor...
(8)
The Authority has responsibility for strategic planning and the promotion of the coordinated delivery of public services in the region. Like each Regional Authority, the South-West Regional Authority is assisted in its duties by an Operational Committee and EU Operational Committee. The authority employs a staff of four.
Demographics
The South-West region has experienced a steady increase in its population with migration to the region due to its strong educational infrastructure, scenic beauty, mild climate, as well as its quality of life and work.According to the 2006 census, the South-West region had a population of 621,130, which constitutes 14.65% of the national population. Its population density was 51.08 persons per km2. The population of the regional capital, Cork City, including its suburbs was 190,384.
Economy
The region's economy consists of a range of multi-national companies that specialise in areas such as electonics and pharmaceuticals. The food industry also forms an important sector in the regional economy. Tourism is also a major industry in the region.Regional GDP in 2002 was given as €22,377m, with GDP per capita forming 131.3% of the state. Its GDP per capita was 174.6% of EU25.
The workforce of the region in 2003 was 255,800, which equated to a 95.58% employment rate with services (59.9%), industrial employment (31.2%), and agriculture (8.9%) forming the key industries.
Transport
The South-West region contains two airports, Cork International Airport and Kerry International AirportKerry Airport
-Ground transportation:Kerry Airport is approximately from both Cork and Limerick. Iarnród Éireann's Farranfore railway station is located to the south with services to Killarney, Tralee, Cork and Dublin....
, both of which provide a wide range of flights to locations across 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 region also has ferry services operating between Cork, the United Kingdom
United Kingdom
The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern IrelandIn the United Kingdom and Dependencies, other languages have been officially recognised as legitimate autochthonous languages under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages...
and 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...
.
Geography
Ireland's southernmost and westernmost points are located in the Southwest. Including islands Tearaght IslandTearaght Island
Tearaght Island or Inishtearaght is an uninhabited steep rocky island west of the Dingle Peninsula, County Kerry, Republic of Ireland. At longitude 10° 39.7' Tearaght is the westernmost of the Blasket Islands, and thus the westernmost island in the Republic of Ireland and the British Isles...
is the westernmost point located 12.5 km west of the Dingle Peninsula in Kerry. The southernmost point is Fastnet Rock
Fastnet Rock
Fastnet Rock is a small island in the Atlantic Ocean and the most southerly point of Ireland. It lies southwest of Cape Clear Island and from County Cork on the Irish mainland...
which lies 11.3 km south of mainland County Cork. Only including mainland Ireland, Brow Head
Brow Head
Brow Head is the most southerly point of mainland Ireland. It is situated 3.8 km east of the marginally more northerly Mizen Head, County Cork, Ireland. It lies at latitude 51.43ºN....
, County Cork is the southernmost point and Dunmore Head, County Kerry is the westernmost point. Ireland's twelve highest mountains are located in County Kerry. Killarney National Park
Killarney National Park
Killarney National Park is located beside the town of Killarney, County Kerry, Ireland. It was the first national park established in Ireland, created when Muckross Estate was donated to the Irish state in 1932...
in Kerry has Ireland's only native herd of Red Deer
Red Deer
The red deer is one of the largest deer species. Depending on taxonomy, the red deer inhabits most of Europe, the Caucasus Mountains region, Asia Minor, parts of western Asia, and central Asia. It also inhabits the Atlas Mountains region between Morocco and Tunisia in northwestern Africa, being...
and the most extensive covering of native forest remaining in Ireland. The southwest has a total of 132,274 hectares (326,856 acres) of Forest and woodland area, larger than six different Irish counties. The area of the Southwest is 12,203 km2, roughly 14.5% 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...
's land area which is large enough to fit the 10 smallest counties inside it and almost as large as 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...
. The combined coastline of Cork and Kerry is 1,778 km including islands.
Major settlements
A list of the ten largest settlements in the southwest County capitals are included and are shown in bold.| Rank | Town | County | Population (2006 census) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Cork Cork (city) Cork is the second largest city in the Republic of Ireland and the island of Ireland's third most populous city. It is the principal city and administrative centre of County Cork and the largest city in the province of Munster. Cork has a population of 119,418, while the addition of the suburban... |
Cork County Cork County Cork is a county in Ireland. It is located in the South-West Region and is also part of the province of Munster. It is named after the city of Cork . Cork County Council is the local authority for the county... |
190,384 |
| 2 | Tralee | Kerry County Kerry Kerry means the "people of Ciar" which was the name of the pre-Gaelic tribe who lived in part of the present county. The legendary founder of the tribe was Ciar, son of Fergus mac Róich. In Old Irish "Ciar" meant black or dark brown, and the word continues in use in modern Irish as an adjective... |
22,744 |
| 3 | Killarney Killarney Killarney is a town in County Kerry, southwestern Ireland. The town is located north of the MacGillicuddy Reeks, on the northeastern shore of the Lough Lein/Leane which are part of Killarney National Park. The town and its surrounding region are home to St... |
Kerry County Kerry Kerry means the "people of Ciar" which was the name of the pre-Gaelic tribe who lived in part of the present county. The legendary founder of the tribe was Ciar, son of Fergus mac Róich. In Old Irish "Ciar" meant black or dark brown, and the word continues in use in modern Irish as an adjective... |
14,603 |
| 4 | Carrigaline Carrigaline Carrigaline is a single-street town in County Cork, Ireland. It is about 12 km from Cork City which can be reached by car in 25 minutes... |
Cork County Cork County Cork is a county in Ireland. It is located in the South-West Region and is also part of the province of Munster. It is named after the city of Cork . Cork County Council is the local authority for the county... |
12,835 |
| 5 | Cobh Cobh Cobh is a seaport town on the south coast of County Cork, Ireland. Cobh is on the south side of Great Island in Cork Harbour. Facing the town are Spike Island and Haulbowline Island... |
Cork County Cork County Cork is a county in Ireland. It is located in the South-West Region and is also part of the province of Munster. It is named after the city of Cork . Cork County Council is the local authority for the county... |
11,303 |
| 6 | Mallow Mallow, County Cork Mallow is the "Crossroads of Munster" and the administrative capital of north County Cork, in Ireland. The Northern Divisional Offices of Cork County Council are located in the town.... |
Cork County Cork County Cork is a county in Ireland. It is located in the South-West Region and is also part of the province of Munster. It is named after the city of Cork . Cork County Council is the local authority for the county... |
10,241 |
| 7 | Midleton Midleton Midleton, historically Middleton , is a town in south-eastern County Cork, Ireland. It lies some 22 km east of Cork City on the Owenacurra River and the N25 road, which connects Cork to the port of Rosslare... |
Cork County Cork County Cork is a county in Ireland. It is located in the South-West Region and is also part of the province of Munster. It is named after the city of Cork . Cork County Council is the local authority for the county... |
10,048 |
| 8 | Youghal Youghal Youghal is a town in County Cork, Ireland. Sitting on the estuary of the River Blackwater, in the past it was militarily and economically important. Being built on the edge of a steep riverbank, the town has a distinctive long and narrow layout... |
Cork County Cork County Cork is a county in Ireland. It is located in the South-West Region and is also part of the province of Munster. It is named after the city of Cork . Cork County Council is the local authority for the county... |
6,785 |
| 9 | Fermoy Fermoy Fermoy is a town in County Cork, Ireland. It is situated on the River Blackwater in the south of Ireland. Its population is some 5,800 inhabitants, environs included .... |
Cork County Cork County Cork is a county in Ireland. It is located in the South-West Region and is also part of the province of Munster. It is named after the city of Cork . Cork County Council is the local authority for the county... |
5,873 |
| 10 | Bandon Bandon, County Cork Bandon is a town in County Cork, Ireland. With a population of 5,822 as of census 2006, Bandon lies on the River Bandon between two hills. The name in Irish means "Bridge of the Bandon", a reference to the origin of the town as a crossing-point on the river. In 2004 Bandon celebrated its... |
Cork County Cork County Cork is a county in Ireland. It is located in the South-West Region and is also part of the province of Munster. It is named after the city of Cork . Cork County Council is the local authority for the county... |
5,161 |