Dunleer

Dunleer Station

Dunleer (Irish: Dún Léire) is a town and townland in County Louth, Ireland.

Dunleer town is situated midway between Dundalk and Drogheda. It is the principal Town Borough in the Barony of Ferrard. It has a Charter dating back to 1252. Situated on the White River, it is the junction of several roads that intersect the town, including the R132 (old N1), R169 and R170 regional roads.

Located upstream is the White River Mill, which is a 17th century flour mill, which is open at times to visitors. The White River Mill pond is located on the confluence of the White River and Ba Be Stream. The town has its origins in the early Sixth Century Christian monastery of Lann Leire. The Monastery and its town were the subject of periodic raids by groups of plunderers between the seventh and twelfth centuries. In the sixteenth century the manor of Dunleer was granted to John Barnewall, 3rd Baron Trimlestown. Rathesker Lakeside walk and woodland ecological area is located a short distance from the town. This is a local amenity that is well liked in the locality and beyond for its outstanding natural beauty.

Located adjacent to the M1 motorway to its west, there is excellent access to and from the M1, as Dunleer is served by no fewer than three motorway interchanges (M1 Junctions 12, 13 and 14) and is bisected by the main Dublin-Belfast railway line. These linkages played a part in Dunleer changing from a mainly rural town to an expanding commuter town for those working primarily in Dublin, Drogheda and Dundalk. This change in demographic use has also contributed to Dunleer becoming a main hub in the Mid-Louth Area of County Louth.

Industry

Dunleer has been a centre of domestic appliance manufacturing since the late 1930s, and is still a centre of manufacturing, with two factories employing several hundred people. There are also a number of thriving services firms. In recent years, it has been known as the home of the award winning Glebe Brethan Cheese, and Lannleire Honey, both of which are produced there.

Schools

Dunleer is well served by the number of schools in its locality. All are co-educational.

• Primary -
  • St. Kevins NS, Philipstown, Dunleer.
  • St. Fintan's NS, Dromin, Dunleer.
  • St. Brigid's NS, Ardee Road, Dunleer.

• Secondary -

Scoil Ui Mhuiri Post Primary, Barn Road, Dunleer.

Amenities and Community Life

In recent years the town has developed a broad range of services, supplying the needs of its growing population.

• Dunleer is home to Lannleire GFC, and St. Kevins GFC are also in Dunleer's locality.
• It has a Roman Catholic church (St. Brigid's) and a Church Of Ireland Church.
• There is a community library which is located in the old Station Master's House on Station Road.
• It has a Recreation Centre, with an indoor Basketball Arena and Gym facilities.
• Dunleer also has an outdoor Athetics Racing Track, the home of Dunleer Athletic Club, located on Lannleire GFC football sports campus. Dunleer A.C. organise the world famous Ras na hEireann Cross-Country International Athlete Races.
• Dunleer has an existing railway station, currently disused, although determined efforts are ongoing to reopen it.
• The Midlouth Camera Club meets every week in The Mill Race Inn, operated by landlord Dessie Connor.
• The "Wee County Vintage Club" also hold their meetings here.
• Dunleer is also home to Scoil Ui Mhuiri Secondary School, which is regarded as a very modern teaching facility.
• Efforts are underway to establish a Gaelscoil(Irish Language Medium Primary School) in the area, and it is hoped for it to be open sometime in the near future.
• There are plans to construct a community Children's Playground amenity during 2012, with the planning process concluded. An active fundraising effort is currently ongoing for this project.
• Negotiations have concluded between the community board and Louth County Council in preparing to place the former Dunleer parochial house under community management. There will be an official hand over in the fall of 2011.
• Dunleer's St. Patrick's Day Parade was revived in 2010, after a break of sixteen years.
• The Leinster Fleadh Music and Cultural Festival was held in Dunleer in 2010, over three days during 9th - 11th of July 2010.

Dunleer has a broad range of community groups, many of which are affiliated to the community umbrella body, the Dunleer Community Development Board. The board is a voluntary concern, which communicates and advocates for the betterment of Dunleer for the enjoyment of all in the community.

• The Board recently formed a Limited Liability Company, with Legal Status, known as DCDB Limited. This was in preparation for when they begin to manage the civic amenity, Dunleer Community House and Campus (formerly known as Dunleer parochial house).

Growth

Dunleer has grown rapidly in recent years, and the population has grown accordingly, with many new houses being built. This is borne out by the Irish 2006 Census, which revealed that Dunleer had 2,340 people living in the Town. This meant the population had grown by more than 30% in five years. Since the most recent census almost two years ago, it could be argued that this figure may be higher, as a significant number of new dwellings have been constructed in the time since the census. With the town experiencing renewed prosperity as a result of this growth, a wide range of shops, pubs, restaurants and cafes have been established in the thriving town centre. Dunleer's proximity to Drogheda, Ardee, Dundalk, and its location as a crossroads on the main north-south economic corridor of Ireland have made this once rural village officially a town.

Transport

Dunleer railway station opened on 1 April 1851, closed for goods traffic on 2 December 1974 and finally closed altogether on 26 November 1984.^[1] The local community's ongoing campaign to have the Railway Station reopened within the next four to five years continues, with a public meeting which was held on (February 21, 2008)in which the public gave their overwhelming support to having the existing station reopened. The case for reopening the station is now strong, with the criteria as laid down by national government policy now being satisfied. With the town experiencing unprecedented population growth, and the number of potential users having risen^{[citation needed]}and a number of other new residential developments in the planning phase, the need for the station is irrefutable. It is now a matter of when, not if, the station will reopen.

During September 2009, it became an issue during the formation of the forthcoming Louth County Development Plan, and after much debate and discussion amongst the public and their public representatives, Dunleer's station was granted equal status with Drogheda and Dundalk in being eligible during the lifetime of the plan as a preferable location to have another Railway Station opened on the Dublin - Belfast rail corridor.

The town also enjoys a frequent bus service, which links the town primarily to Drogheda and Dundalk, and some direct services to and from Dublin city daily.

Annalistic references

• 919. Cearnach, son of Flann, Abbot of Lann-Leire, died; of whom was said:

• The torch of the plain (good in battle)/of Bregia the fair and lovely, stout his strength/Brilliance of the sun, the sun upon his cheek. Cearnach of Leire, mournful/the loss of him.

See also

• List of towns and villages in Ireland

References

1. ^ "Dunleer station" (PDF). Railscot - Irish Railways. http://www.railscot.co.uk/Ireland/Irish_railways.pdf. Retrieved 2007-10-12. 

External links

• Dunleertown.net
• Dunleer online
• Dunleerparish.ie
• Leinsterfleadh.ie
• Eiretrains - Dunleer Station Images

Coordinates: 53°50′N 6°24′W / 53.833°N 6.4°W / 53.833; -6.4