8 Socio-Economic
Assessment
8.7 Conclusions
The principal
centres of population are also the most important locations
for economic activity. The DEDs around these centres generally
have characteristics that are strongly urban and, in effect,
represent extensions of the urban areas.
The largest centre
is Kilkenny with a population in 1996, including its environs,
approaching 20,000. Kilkenny serves a wide rural hinterland,
largely of good agricultural land, and thus has range of services
and facilities significantly greater then its population would
indicate. It is a heritage centre of national significance,
reflected in the extent and quality of its historic buildings
and streetscapes. This heritage is the foundation of a developing
tourism business.
Carlow is the
next largest centre and is an important manufacturing town,
with an Institute of Technology. It also serves a substantial
rural hinterland. Carlow has a current population in excess
of 15,000.
Kilkenny and
Carlow are the two principal centres to be served by the proposed
new N9/N10 route.
The largest
of the other centres is Athy, which is designated as a Secondary
Development Centre in the Strategic Planning Guidelines for
the Greater Dublin Area. In accordance with this designation,
Athy will require much improved links to the Dublin Metropolitan
Area in the future. If the proposed N9/N10 route cannot provide
the road component of this link, alternative provision will
have to be made to service Athy.
The rural part
of the study area is characterised by relatively strong agricultural
areas, into which the influence of the towns is extending,
through urban generated housing. The northern part of the
study area has a stronger manufacturing base and is more accessible
to Dublin for employment, although it has a higher level of
unemployment. The southern part is, in contrast, more rural,
although it contains Kilkenny city, the economy of which is
more focused on services than manufacturing.
The rural areas
with the weaker socio-economic profile are generally those
in upland and/or more remote areas, but the extent of these
in the study area is not significant.
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