Bettystown
Encyclopedia
Bettystown previously known as Betaghstown, 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 expanded to cater for large numbers of commuters to Dublin. In 2007, it was announced that in revisions to Dáil Constituency boundaries for 2012, Bettystown and Laytown as far as the River Nanny would be ceded from the three-seat constituency of Meath East to the five-seat constituency of Louth. There is a certain logic to this development since the area forms the southern hinterland of the town of Drogheda in Co. Louth. However, the change is unlikely to be universally welcomed among the population who administratively, and for the purposes of local government elections, remain in County Meath.
line opened on 25 May 1844 with a station at Bettystown
. However, this station was to close soon after in November 1847 and since then the village has been served by Laytown railway station
also opened on the Dublin and Drogheda Railway
line on 25 May 1844 (renamed as Laytown & Bettystown in 1913).
The opening of the M1 motorway between Dublin and Northern Ireland
as well as the frequent rail service from Laytown to Dublin have made commuting a realistic option.
, an amusement park with a variety of attractions, a golf course and a dive centre offering a range of courses, trips to local dive sites and organised trips further afield.
The golf course has excellent putting surfaces all year round as well as a good layout.
The resident professional is RJ Browne who has been at the club for many decades. He has been coach to many players including Des Smyth
and Darren Clarke
.
The course par is 71 and course record is 64 (7 under par). The club celebrates 100 years in 2009. Several club members have been capped for Ireland. Declan Branigan,Des Smyth, Val Smyth, Robert Cannon.
County Meath
County Meath is a county in Ireland. It is part of the Mid-East Region and is also located in the province of Leinster. It is named after the ancient Kingdom of Mide . Meath County Council is the local authority for the county...
, Ireland
Republic of Ireland
Ireland , described as the Republic of Ireland , is a sovereign state in Europe occupying approximately five-sixths of the island of the same name. Its capital is Dublin. Ireland, which had a population of 4.58 million in 2011, is a constitutional republic governed as a parliamentary democracy,...
. Together with the neighbouring villages of Laytown
Laytown
Laytown is a village on the R150 regional road on the Irish Sea coast of County Meath, Ireland. Historically it was called Ninch , after the townland it occupies...
and Mornington
Mornington, County Meath
Mornington is a coastal townland in County Meath, Ireland. Together with the neighbouring villages of Laytown and Bettystown it comprises the census town of Laytown-Bettystown-Mornington....
it comprises the census town
Census town
In India, a census town is one which has:# A minimum population of 5,000# At least 75% of male working population engaged in non-agricultural pursuits# A density of population of at least 400 persons per km2.In Ireland, a census town is;...
of Laytown-Bettystown-Mornington
Laytown-Bettystown-Mornington
Laytown-Bettystown-Mornington is a census town in County Meath, Ireland, comprising the adjoining villages of Laytown, Bettystown and Mornington. It had a population of 5597 at the 2002 census. The coastline stretches from the River Boyne, which borders County Louth to the River Delvin, which...
. In recent years, with the huge increases in Dublin house prices, Bettystown expanded to cater for large numbers of commuters to Dublin. In 2007, it was announced that in revisions to Dáil Constituency boundaries for 2012, Bettystown and Laytown as far as the River Nanny would be ceded from the three-seat constituency of Meath East to the five-seat constituency of Louth. There is a certain logic to this development since the area forms the southern hinterland of the town of Drogheda in Co. Louth. However, the change is unlikely to be universally welcomed among the population who administratively, and for the purposes of local government elections, remain in County Meath.
Transport & communications
The Dublin and Drogheda RailwayDublin and Drogheda Railway
Dublin and Drogheda Railway was an Irish gauge railway company in Ireland.The D&D constructed the railway line between Dublin and Drogheda. The company presented the scheme to parliament in 1836 and received royal assent on 13 August 1836. John MacNeill was appointed as the line's engineer in...
line opened on 25 May 1844 with a station at Bettystown
Bettystown railway station
Bettystown railway station was a railway station in County Meath, Ireland, on the Dublin and Drogheda Railway line, serving the village of Bettystown.The station was opened on 25 May 1844 and closed on 1 November 1847.-References:...
. However, this station was to close soon after in November 1847 and since then the village has been served by Laytown railway station
Laytown railway station
Laytown railway station serves Laytown and Bettystown in County Meath, Ireland. The station opened on 25 May 1844 and was renamed as Laytown & Bettystown in 1913. It was since renamed back to Laytown. It is about 20 minutes' walk from the venue of yearly Laytown races.- External links :*...
also opened on the Dublin and Drogheda Railway
Dublin and Drogheda Railway
Dublin and Drogheda Railway was an Irish gauge railway company in Ireland.The D&D constructed the railway line between Dublin and Drogheda. The company presented the scheme to parliament in 1836 and received royal assent on 13 August 1836. John MacNeill was appointed as the line's engineer in...
line on 25 May 1844 (renamed as Laytown & Bettystown in 1913).
The opening of the M1 motorway between Dublin and Northern Ireland
Northern Ireland
Northern Ireland is one of the four countries of the United Kingdom. Situated in the north-east of the island of Ireland, it shares a border with the Republic of Ireland to the south and west...
as well as the frequent rail service from Laytown to Dublin have made commuting a realistic option.
Amenities
Bettystown Centre contains three supermarkets, two pharmacies, take away food outlets, four pubs, three hotels and is also home to the newly relocated East Meath Credit Union and is home to the new secondary School Colaiste na hInse.Leisure facilities
Leisure facilities in the Bettystown area include FuntasiaFuntasia
Funtasia is a chain of entertainment facilities in Ireland. Funtasia operates an indoor family entertainment centre in Bettystown as well as a water park in Drogheda.-Funtasia Bettystown:...
, an amusement park with a variety of attractions, a golf course and a dive centre offering a range of courses, trips to local dive sites and organised trips further afield.
The golf course has excellent putting surfaces all year round as well as a good layout.
The resident professional is RJ Browne who has been at the club for many decades. He has been coach to many players including Des Smyth
Des Smyth
Desmond John Smyth is an Irish professional golfer.Smyth was born in Drogheda, County Louth. He turned professional in 1974 and was a member of the European Tour for over a quarter of a century. His best finish on the European Tour Order of Merit was seventh in 1988...
and Darren Clarke
Darren Clarke
Darren Christopher Clarke is a professional golfer from Northern Ireland who currently plays on the European Tour and has previously played on the PGA Tour. He has won 22 tournaments worldwide on a number of golf's main tours including the European Tour, the PGA Tour, the Sunshine Tour and the...
.
The course par is 71 and course record is 64 (7 under par). The club celebrates 100 years in 2009. Several club members have been capped for Ireland. Declan Branigan,Des Smyth, Val Smyth, Robert Cannon.
Archaeological finds and myths
- 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 BroochTara BroochThe Tara Brooch is a Celtic brooch of about 700 AD generally considered to be the most impressive of over 50 elaborate Irish brooches to have been discovered...
in a box buried in the sand. The Tara Brooch is now on display in the National Museum of IrelandNational Museum of IrelandThe National Museum of Ireland is the national museum in Ireland. It has three branches in Dublin and one in County Mayo, with a strong emphasis on Irish art, culture and natural history.-Archaeology:...
in Dublin.
External links
- Laytown & Bettystown Golf Club
- Funtasia Official Website
- Meath Tourism, for information on Accommodation, Heritage, Things to Do, Angling, Horse Racing and Maps
See also
- List of towns and villages in Ireland