Bettystown

Infobox Irish Place
name = Bettystown
gaeilge = Baile an Bhiataigh
crest

motto =
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pin coords = left: 112px; top: 51px
north coord = 53.7014
west coord = 6.2461
irish grid =
area =
elevation =
province = Leinster
county = County Meath
town pop = |2,509 rural pop =
census yr =
web =
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Bettystown (Irish place name|Baile an Bhiataigh), previously known as Betaghstown, [ [http://www.libraryireland.com/Lewis/LewisB/39-BETAGHSTOWN.php/index.php Lewis Topographical Dictionary of Ireland (1837) - Betaghstown or Bettystown] ] , is a small, rapidly expanding, village in County Meath, Ireland. Together with the neighbouring villages of Laytown and Mornington it comprises the census town of Laytown-Bettystown-Mornington. In recent years, with the huge increases in Dublin house prices, Bettystown has expanded to cater for large numbers of commuters to Dublin.

Transport & communications

The recent opening of the M1 motorway between Dublin and the border as well as a frequent rail service from Laytown to Dublin have made commuting a realistic option. Laytown railway station opened on 25 May 1844 [cite web | title=Laytown and Bettystown station | work=Railscot - Irish Railways | url=http://www.railscot.co.uk/Ireland/Irish_railways.pdf | accessdate=2007-09-06] and was renamed as "Laytown & Bettystown" in 1913.

Amenities

Bettystown Centre has also been developed and now contains two supermarkets, a pharmacy, take away food outlets, a pub, two hotels and is also home to the newly relocated East Meath Credit Union.

Leisure facilities

Leisure facilities in the Bettystown area include Funtasia, an amusement park with a variety of attractions, a golf course and even a dive centre offering a range of courses, trips to local dive sites and organised trips further afield.

The golf course is one of the finest on the east coast. The club can boast of having perfect putting surfaces all year round as well as a superb lay out. Professional is the famous RJ Browne who has been at the club for many decades. He has been coach to many fine players over the years such as Des Smyth, Darren Clarke, Damien McGrane, Michael Hoey, JD McGinn and Robbie Cannon as well as being Chairman of the Irish region of the PGA. RJ still shows as much enthuasism for the club and the game as he did when he arrived many years ago and is a credit to the club.The course par is 71 and course record is 64 (7 under par) jointly held by Joe Moore and Robbie Cannon. The club will celebrate 100 years in 2009 with many events being planned.

Archaelogical finds

* On the beach at Bettystown, one of Ireland's most notable historical finds was made. In 1850 a peasant woman claimed to have found the Tara Brooch in a box buried in the sand. The Tara Brooch is now on display in the National Museum of Ireland in Dublin.

External links

* [http://www.landb.ie/Home.html Laytown & Bettystown Golf Club]
* [http://www.funtasia.ie/ Funtasia Official Website]
* [http://www.meathtourism.ie/Meath Tourism, for information on Accommodation,Heritage,Things to Do, Angling, Horse Racing and Maps]

References

ee also

* List of towns in the Republic of Ireland