Dunleer
Population: 2,143 (2022 Census)
Dunleer in county Louth is situated midway between Dundalk and Drogheda, having originally developed where the main Drogheda to Dundalk road and the road to Ardee intersect. The town has a linear settlement pattern, bound to the east by the White River. The construction of the railway in the late nineteenth century influenced the growth of the town, with buildings developing to its east, including Industries such as Flax and flour mills.
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Dunleer’s history is closely linked to early Christianity in Ireland including St. Brigid, who, according to legend, regained her sight after bathing her eyes in a well in Dunleer. Dunleer has a compact urban centre, still concentrated on the same junction as it was in 1835. The Town has been a centre of industry from the 17th Century. At one time it had three water powered mills. Rosevale; which was a flax mill (location of today’s Glen Dimplex on the Barn Road), Skibblemore; which was a steel pin manufacturing mill (later converted to flour milling) and Glebe Mill (operating since 1698) which is still producing stone ground floor in small amounts from time to time for the artisan trade.
Dunleer has also been a centre of domestic appliance manufacturing since the late 1930s, and still has two factories employing several hundred people. There is also a number of thriving services firms. In recent years, Dunleer has been known as the home of the award winning Lannleire Honey, which is produced there.
Dunleer’s profound history has shaped its culture and influenced the physical development of the town centre. In the last thirty years, the most significant development has taken place to the west of Dunleer. This has largely been in the form of housing on the land behind the Catholic Church.
The Dunleer Town Team includes a balanced representation of local residents who are actively involved in a range of community groups and initiatives. Their input and support in the development of the Town Centre First Plan for Dunleer has been invaluable, particularly in terms of facilitating public and stakeholder engagement. The Town Team has provided a unique insight into key concerns and issues regarding the town centre, mobilised the local population and key stakeholders to take part in the development of strategies and objectives, and helped align current and future projects and initiatives with Town Centre First Plan’s proposals.
The public consultation driven by the Town Team provided valuable insights into the challenges and opportunities facing Dunleer, the result is a Plan which establishes a holistic approach for how Dunleer can respond to existing and future challenges including progressive initiatives to enhance and rejuvenate the Town.