Midlands Region, Ireland
Encyclopedia
The Midlands Region is a NUTS Level III region of Ireland
and is governed by the Midland Regional Authority
. It consists of the area under the jurisdiction of the county councils of Laois
, Longford
, Offaly
, and Westmeath
. The Midlands region spans 6,524 km2, 9.5% of the total area of the state and according to the 2006 census has a population of 251,664. The regional capital in Athlone. Its NUTS code is IE012.
The Midlands Region is also a popular tourist destination due to its rich nautral beauty such as lakes, waterways and canals, as well as a rich history, heritage and culture dating from early Christian times.
Like each Regional Authority, the Midland Regional Authority is assisted in its duties by an Operational Committee and EU Operational Committee.
The region has a growing dependency ratio which is stated as having implications on health care, the types of housing needed as well as care for the elderly.
Regional GDP in 2002 was given as €4,184m, with GDP per capita forming 63.2% of the state. Its GDP per capita was 84.1% of EU25.
The workforce of the region in 2003 was 98,400, which equated to a 94.8% employment rate with services (59.8%), industrial employment (30.4%), and agriculture (10.0%) forming the key industries. Employment growth is concentrating in the larger urban centers of the region.
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,...
and is governed by the Midland Regional Authority
Regional Authorities in Ireland
Regional Authorities in Ireland were established by the Local Government Act 1991 and came into existence in 1994. Under this Act, the Regional Authorities have two main functions: to promote the co-ordination of public service provision and to monitor the delivery of EU Structural Fund assistance...
. It consists of the area under the jurisdiction of the county councils of Laois
County Laois
County Laois is a county in Ireland. It is part of the Midlands Region and is also located in the province of Leinster. It was formerly known as Queen's County until the establishment of the Irish Free State in 1922. The county's name was formerly spelt as Laoighis and Leix. Laois County Council...
, Longford
County Longford
County Longford is a county in Ireland. It is part of the Midlands Region and is also located in the province of Leinster. It is named after the town of Longford.Longford County Council is the local authority for the county...
, Offaly
County Offaly
County Offaly is a county in Ireland. It is part of the Midlands Region and is also located in the province of Leinster. It is named after the ancient Kingdom of Uí Failghe and was formerly known as King's County until the establishment of the Irish Free State in 1922. Offaly County Council is...
, and Westmeath
County Westmeath
-Economy:Westmeath has a strong agricultural economy. Initially, development occurred around the major market centres of Mullingar, Moate, and Kinnegad. Athlone developed due to its military significance, and its strategic location on the main Dublin–Galway route across the River Shannon. Mullingar...
. The Midlands region spans 6,524 km2, 9.5% of the total area of the state and according to the 2006 census has a population of 251,664. The regional capital in Athlone. Its NUTS code is IE012.
The Midlands Region is also a popular tourist destination due to its rich nautral beauty such as lakes, waterways and canals, as well as a rich history, heritage and culture dating from early Christian times.
Midland Regional Authority
The Midlands region is administered by the Midland Regional Authority, which consists of 24 elected representatives including the region's representative on the EU Committee of the Regions. These representatives meet once a month and are nominated from the four local government councils of the region:- Laois County CouncilLaois County CouncilLaois County Council is the local authority which is responsible for County Laois in Ireland. The Council is responsible for housing and community, roads and transportation, urban planning and development, amenity and culture, and environment. The head of the council has the title of Cathaoirleach...
- Longford County CouncilLongford County CouncilLongford County Council is the local authority which is responsible for County Longford in Ireland. The Council is responsible for housing and community, roads and transportation, urban planning and development, amenity and culture, and environment. The head of the council has the title of Mayor...
- Offaly County CouncilOffaly County CouncilOffaly County Council is the local authority which is responsible for County Offaly in Ireland. The Council is responsible for housing and community, roads and transportation, urban planning and development, amenity and culture, and environment. The head of the council has the title of Cathaoirleach...
- Westmeath County CouncilWestmeath County CouncilWestmeath County Council is the local authority which is responsible for County Westmeath in Ireland. The Council is responsible for housing and community, roads and transportation, urban planning and development, amenity and culture, and environment. The head of the council has the title of...
Like each Regional Authority, the Midland Regional Authority is assisted in its duties by an Operational Committee and EU Operational Committee.
Demographics
According to the 2006 census, the region had a population of 251,664, which constitutes 6.0% of the national population. Its population density was 34.6 persons per km2. The population of the regional capital, Athlone, was 16,000. The east of the Midlands region has seen the most predominant population growth.The region has a growing dependency ratio which is stated as having implications on health care, the types of housing needed as well as care for the elderly.
Economy
The most significant industry in the Midlands region is the peat industry, as well as wood processing. Its wood processing industry now accounts for over one-third of the total processed timber produced in Ireland. Other strong industries include medicine, healthcare, engineering and chemical. It also has some very successful food and drink producers.Regional GDP in 2002 was given as €4,184m, with GDP per capita forming 63.2% of the state. Its GDP per capita was 84.1% of EU25.
The workforce of the region in 2003 was 98,400, which equated to a 94.8% employment rate with services (59.8%), industrial employment (30.4%), and agriculture (10.0%) forming the key industries. Employment growth is concentrating in the larger urban centers of the region.
Major settlements
A list of the ten largest settlements in the Midlands region. County capitals are included and are shown in bold.| Rank | Town | County | Population (2006 census) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Mullingar Mullingar Mullingar is the county town of County Westmeath in Ireland. The Counties of Meath and Westmeath Act of 1542, proclaimed Westmeath a county, separating it from Meath. Mullingar became the administrative centre for County Westmeath... |
Westmeath County Westmeath -Economy:Westmeath has a strong agricultural economy. Initially, development occurred around the major market centres of Mullingar, Moate, and Kinnegad. Athlone developed due to its military significance, and its strategic location on the main Dublin–Galway route across the River Shannon. Mullingar... |
18,416 |
| 2 | Athlone | Westmeath County Westmeath -Economy:Westmeath has a strong agricultural economy. Initially, development occurred around the major market centres of Mullingar, Moate, and Kinnegad. Athlone developed due to its military significance, and its strategic location on the main Dublin–Galway route across the River Shannon. Mullingar... |
17,544 |
| 3 | Portlaoise | Laois County Laois County Laois is a county in Ireland. It is part of the Midlands Region and is also located in the province of Leinster. It was formerly known as Queen's County until the establishment of the Irish Free State in 1922. The county's name was formerly spelt as Laoighis and Leix. Laois County Council... |
14,613 |
| 4 | Tullamore Tullamore Tullamore is a town in County Offaly, in the midlands of Ireland. It is Offaly's county town and the centre of the district.Tullamore is an important commercial and industrial centre in the region. Major international employers in the town include 'Tyco Healthcare' and 'Boston Scientific'. In... |
Offaly County Offaly County Offaly is a county in Ireland. It is part of the Midlands Region and is also located in the province of Leinster. It is named after the ancient Kingdom of Uí Failghe and was formerly known as King's County until the establishment of the Irish Free State in 1922. Offaly County Council is... |
12,927 |
| 5 | Longford Longford Longford is the county town of County Longford in Ireland. It has a population of 7,622 according to the 2006 census. Approximately one third of the county's population resides in the town. Longford town is also the biggest town in the county... |
Longford County Longford County Longford is a county in Ireland. It is part of the Midlands Region and is also located in the province of Leinster. It is named after the town of Longford.Longford County Council is the local authority for the county... |
8,836 |
| 6 | Portarlington | Laois County Laois County Laois is a county in Ireland. It is part of the Midlands Region and is also located in the province of Leinster. It was formerly known as Queen's County until the establishment of the Irish Free State in 1922. The county's name was formerly spelt as Laoighis and Leix. Laois County Council... |
6,004 |
| 7 | Edenderry Edenderry, County Offaly Edenderry is a town in the north of County Offaly, Ireland. It is near the borders with Counties Kildare, Meath and Westmeath. The Grand Canal passes immediately south of the town through the Bog of Allen and there is a short spur to the town centre.... |
Offaly County Offaly County Offaly is a county in Ireland. It is part of the Midlands Region and is also located in the province of Leinster. It is named after the ancient Kingdom of Uí Failghe and was formerly known as King's County until the establishment of the Irish Free State in 1922. Offaly County Council is... |
5,888 |
| 8 | Birr Birr Birr is a town in County Offaly, Ireland. Once called Parsonstown, after the Parsons family who were local landowners and hereditary Earls of Rosse. It is also a parish in the Roman Catholic Diocese of Killaloe.... |
Offaly County Offaly County Offaly is a county in Ireland. It is part of the Midlands Region and is also located in the province of Leinster. It is named after the ancient Kingdom of Uí Failghe and was formerly known as King's County until the establishment of the Irish Free State in 1922. Offaly County Council is... |
5,081 |
| 9 | Mountmellick Mountmellick Other than that its a 15th-century settlement on the narrow Owenass river with an encampment on its banks at Irishtown. Overlooking this valley with its trees and wildlife was a small church called Kilmongan which was closed by the Penal Laws in 1640... |
Laois County Laois County Laois is a county in Ireland. It is part of the Midlands Region and is also located in the province of Leinster. It was formerly known as Queen's County until the establishment of the Irish Free State in 1922. The county's name was formerly spelt as Laoighis and Leix. Laois County Council... |
4,137 |
| 10 | Clara Clara Clara is a town on the River Brosna in County Offaly and is the 10th largest town in the midlands of Ireland. The town has a population of 3001 , however a number of well populated housing estates lie outside the town boundary making the actual population higher... |
Offaly County Offaly County Offaly is a county in Ireland. It is part of the Midlands Region and is also located in the province of Leinster. It is named after the ancient Kingdom of Uí Failghe and was formerly known as King's County until the establishment of the Irish Free State in 1922. Offaly County Council is... |
3,001 |