Bettystown Baile an Bhiataigh | |
|---|---|
Village | |
  Bettystown Location in Ireland | |
| Coordinates:53°42′05″N6°14′46″W / 53.7014°N 6.2461°W /53.7014; -6.2461 | |
| Country | Ireland |
| Province | Leinster |
| County | County Meath |
| Population | |
• Total | 15,642 |
| Urban area ofLaytown–Bettystown–Mornington–Donacarney | |
| Irish Grid Reference | O156734 |
Bettystown (Irish:Baile an Bhiataigh),[2] previously known asBetaghstown and transliterated toBeattystown/Bettystown,[3] is a village inCounty Meath,Ireland. Together with the neighbouring villages ofLaytown,Mornington andDonacarney, it comprises the urban area ofLaytown–Bettystown–Mornington–Donacarney with a combined population of 15,642 at the2022 census.[1] During theCeltic Tiger, with increasing property prices in Dublin, Bettystown expanded to cater for large numbers of commuters to Dublin. The area was well known before that as a spot for Dublin summer holiday visitors, with a number of caravan parks and seaside amusements.
In 2011, Bettystown and Laytown as far as theRiver Nanny were transferred from the three-seat constituency ofMeath East to the five-seat constituency ofLouth.[4]
TheDublin and Drogheda Railway line opened on 25 May 1844 with a station atBettystown. However, this station was to close soon after in November 1847[5] and since then the village has been served byLaytown railway station also opened on theDublin and Drogheda Railway line on 25 May 1844[5] (renamed asLaytown & Bettystown in 1913).Bus Éireann route D1 provides service betweenLaytown andDrogheda via Bettystown.[6]
There are two primary schools in Laytown/Bettystown which follow a Catholic ethos. They are Scoil Oilibhéir Naofa (opened in 2005)[7] and Scoil an Spioraid Naomh Senior School.
There are also two multi-denominational schools outside the town that service East Meath and SouthDrogheda. They are Le Cheile Educate Together National School and Gaelscoil an Bhradain Feasa. Le Cheile Educate Together National School is sited on grounds provided by another South Drogheda school, Drogheda Grammar.
A secondary school,Coláiste na hInse, was established in 2008.[8]
Leisure facilities in the Bettystown area includeFuntasia, an amusement park, a tennis club and a golf course. Funtasia is an indoor family fun center,[9] with bowling, pool and 'fairground' rides.
Laytown & Bettystown Golf Club celebrated 100 years in 2009.[10] Several club members have been capped for Ireland.[citation needed]
Ireland held the European Land Sailing championships in September 2017 on Bettystown beach. Over 100 European sailors competed over this 5 day period of competitions.[11][12]
Bettystown beach has been host to the annual NationalSandcastle and Sand Sculpturing competition in Ireland since 2003.[13]
In 1850 theTara Brooch was found on the beach at Bettystown. The Tara Brooch is now on display in theNational Museum of Ireland in Dublin.[14]
Scoil Oilibhéir Naofa opened its doors on 1st September 2005
Coláiste na hInse is a [..] school in Baile an Bhiataigh Co. na Mí. Established in 2008
