Bettystown
Bettystown
Baile an Bhiataigh | |
|---|---|
Village | |
  Bettystown Location in Ireland | |
| Coordinates:53°42′05″N6°14′46″W/ 53.7014°N 6.2461°W | |
| Country | Ireland |
| Province | Leinster |
| County | County Meath |
| Population | |
| • Total | 15,642 |
| Urban area ofLaytown–Bettystown–Mornington–Donacarney | |
| Irish Grid Reference | O156734 |
Bettystown(Irish:Baile an Bhiataigh),[2]previously known asBetaghstownand transliterated toBeattystown/Bettystown,[3]is a village inCounty Meath,Ireland.Together with the neighbouring villages ofLaytown,MorningtonandDonacarney,it comprises the urban area ofLaytown–Bettystown–Mornington–Donacarneywith a combined population of 15,642 at the2022 census.[1]During theCeltic Tiger,with increasing property prices in Dublin, Bettystown expanded to cater for large numbers of commuters to Dublin. The area was well known before that as a spot for Dublin summer holiday visitors, with a number of caravan parks and seaside amusements.
In 2011, Bettystown and Laytown as far as the River Nanny were transferred from the three-seat constituency ofMeath Eastto the five-seat constituency ofLouth.[4]
Transport
[edit]TheDublin and Drogheda Railwayline opened on 25 May 1844 with a station atBettystown.However, this station was to close soon after in November 1847[5]and since then the village has been served byLaytown railway stationalso opened on theDublin and Drogheda Railwayline on 25 May 1844[5](renamed asLaytown & Bettystownin 1913).Bus Éireannroute D1 provides service betweenLaytownandDroghedavia Bettystown.[6]
Education
[edit]There are two primary schools in Laytown/Bettystown which follow a Catholic ethos. They are Scoil Oilibhéir Naofa (opened in 2005)[7]and Scoil an Spioraid Naomh Senior School.
There are also two multi-denominational schools outside the town that service East Meath and SouthDrogheda.They are Le Cheile Educate Together National School and Gaelscoil an Bhradain Feasa. Le Cheile Educate Together National School is sited on grounds provided by another South Drogheda school, Drogheda Grammar.
A secondary school,Coláiste na hInse,was established in 2008.[8]
Recreation
[edit]Leisure facilities in the Bettystown area includeFuntasia,an amusement park, a tennis club and a golf course. Funtasia is an indoor family fun center,[9]with bowling, pool and 'fairground' rides.
Laytown & Bettystown Golf Club celebrated 100 years in 2009.[10]Several club members have been capped for Ireland.[citation needed]
Ireland held the European Land Sailing championships in September 2017 on Bettystown beach. Over 100 European sailors competed over this 5 day period of competitions.[11][12]
Bettystown beach has been host to the annual NationalSandcastleand Sand Sculpturing competition in Ireland since 2003.[13]
Archaeology
[edit]In 1850 theTara Broochwas found on the beach at Bettystown. The Tara Brooch is now on display in theNational Museum of Irelandin Dublin.[14]
See also
[edit]References
[edit]- ^ab"Interactive Data Visualisations: Towns: Laytown-Bettystown-Mornington-Donacarney".CSO Ireland.Retrieved26 September2023.
- ^"Baile an Bhiataigh/Bettystown".Placenames Database of Ireland(logainm.ie).Retrieved15 October2021.
- ^Lewis Topographical Dictionary of Ireland (1837) - Betaghstown or BettystownArchived27 September 2007 at theWayback Machine
- ^"Report on Dáil and European Parliament Constituencies 2007"(PDF).Constituency Commission. 23 October 2007. Archived fromthe original(PDF)on 19 November 2007.Retrieved25 November2013.
- ^ab"Bettystown station"(PDF).Railscot - Irish Railways.Retrieved10 January2010.
- ^"Regional Services by County".Bus Éireann.Retrieved7 May2020.
- ^"About - Our History".bettystownschool.ie.Retrieved11 February2020.
Scoil Oilibhéir Naofa opened its doors on 1st September 2005
- ^"Information for New Staff"(PDF).colaistenahinse.ie.Archived fromthe original(PDF)on 14 November 2017.Retrieved11 February2020.
Coláiste na hInse is a [..] school in Baile an Bhiataigh Co. na Mí. Established in 2008
- ^"Funtasia Bettystown | Entertainment Centre Meath".Family Fun.9 August 2010.Retrieved2 December2016.
- ^"Golf captains old and new celebrate club's centenary".Drogheda Independent.11 February 2009.Retrieved7 May2020.
- ^"Landsailing European Champs for County Meath in 2017".afloat.ie.19 January 2016.Retrieved7 May2020.
- ^Magennis, Fiona (22 July 2017)."Landsailing event at Bettystown".Drogheda Independent.Retrieved7 May2020.
- ^"National Sandcastle and Sand Sculpturing".nationalsandcastles.ie.Retrieved4 May2020.
- ^"The 'Tara' Brooch".museum.ie.National Museum of Ireland.Retrieved7 May2020.
External links
[edit]
- Meath Tourism, for information on Accommodation, Heritage, Things to Do, Angling, Horse Racing and MapsArchived8 February 2007 at theWayback Machine
