Oldcastle, County Meath

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Oldcastle (An Seanchaisleán an Fhásaigh in Irish) is a town in County Meath, Ireland. It is located in the north-west of the county near the border with Cavan, approximately 21kms from Kells. As of the 2006 census the area's population stood at 4,272 with 2,226 people living in the town itself. CSO Census 2006

1 History
2 Tourism
3 Industry
4 Education
5 Transport
6 See also:

[edit] History

The town of Oldcastle and its surrounding areas have had a long and chequered history. The area was the birth place of St Oliver Plunkett and was the last Irish Catholic martyr to die in England. Oldcastle, like the rest of the country in general, suffered quite badly during the Great Famine and of subsequent emigration.

This has stopped however and in recent years has seen it's delining fortunes reversed with the town becoming a major destination for workers, mainly from Eastern Europe, coming to work in the numerous industries located in the area.

[edit] Tourism

Tourism plays an important part of life in Oldcastle. Located a short distance away from the town itself are the Loughcrew Cairns. They are a major source of tourism for the area attracting many visitors each year. They are considered by many to be among the oldest prehistoric complexes in the world. Built around 3300 BC as passage tombs they predate the Great Pyramid of Egypt by around 500 years. Oldcastle is aslo the home of one of Ireland's largest online travel agents - Travelpaths.

[edit] Industry

Oldcastle has been 'The bedding capital of Ireland' now for two decades. Gleneagle Woodcrafts and Respa Bedding are two well known industries that have made a name for themselves in Ireland and are a major source of employment for the area. Other sizeable enterprises operate in Oldcastle and provide a considerable amount of employment to the town.

Also notable are the engineering firms located in the parish of Moylagh, approx. 5 miles from the town. These industries have attracted many foreigners to the area for work, mainly from Lithuania, Latvia, Russia, and Poland.

[edit] Education

Oldcastle is served by many educational and social amenities. As well as a mixed primary school, Gilson National School, there is also a second level Vocational School, St. Oliver Post Primary. This secondary school has been expanded in recent years, with the opening of a large new building in 2002.

Recently a brand new community library was opened replacing a smaller library in the town and is now located next to the local Credit Union.

[edit] Transport

For many years the Oldcastle train station provided a transport link between the area and the rest of the country. The train station provided a much needed source of revenue and income for the local farmers as well as other industries in the area as it allowed local goods and produce to be transported to the main ports of Ireland for export.