Longford County Development Plan 2021–2027

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   22 2.1 Introduction This chapter provides a socioeconomic profile of County Longford in order to provide an understanding of the socio-economic and demographic datasets, and provides assessment and commentary, mapping and data visualisation to assist with the review of the Longford County Development Plan. As such, this profile should be read with cognisance of the hierarchical context of the relevant legislation, policy, plans and the settlement hierarchy. The 2016 Census is the primary source of data that has been illustrated within this profile, however other relevant data sources have been used and referenced as appropriate. The socio-economic profile for County Longford has been described at county level for the purpose of supporting the development of the Longford County Development Plan. For additional context further information for each of the 3 no. Municipal Districts is available in Volume 3: Annexes- Annex: 3: Socio-Economic Profile of Municipal Districts in County Longford. Figure 2.1: Overview of County Longford including the Municipal Districts 22Longford County Council

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   23 2.2 Geographic and Administrative Context County Longford is relatively small and bordered by County Westmeath, Cavan, Leitrim and Roscommon. The north of the county is generally hilly and dominated by drumlin landscapes with the River Erne and Lough Gowna to the northeast. Lough Ree, Lough Forbes and the River Shannon are located towards the west, with extensive areas of raised boglands towards the south and east. These boglands are in relatively pristine condition and they represent an important habitat for biodiversity which forms part of the ecological corridor of the Midlands. Aquatic habitats are also numerous, and County Longford has a wealth of attractions including lakes, rivers and canals, making it an ideal destination for fishing and water-based recreation. Longford County is in the Midlands of Ireland within the administrative boundary of the Eastern and Midland Regional Assembly. As illustrated in Figure 2.1, Longford is divided into 3 no. Municipal Districts under the jurisdiction of Longford County Council. These Municipal Districts were revised in 2018 and the information as presented herein and in Annex 3 Socio-Economic Profile of Municipal Districts in County Longford (Volume 3: Annexes) reflects the latest boundary change (which saw the Electoral Districts of Breanrisk, Cloonee and Corboy transfer from the Granard Municipal District into the Longford Municipal District). 2.3 Historical Settlement Context Historic settlements within County Longford evolved in a similar manner to the rest of the country, predominantly along key transport routes including roads, railway and waterways (mostly the River Shannon and associated tributaries in the case of County Longford). As such, the historical development of settlements has been characterised by the landscape and geographic context which has dictated the movement of people, agriculture, industry and associated settlements over time. There is evidence of historical transport routes including the Slighe Assail which facilitated the establishment of Anglo-Norman settlements and ecclesiastical facilities (including Longford town, Granard, Abbeylara and Ardagh). Meanwhile Lanesborough was established during the same era due to its strategic location on the River Shannon. During the 1400’s Longford and Granard developed as market settlements owing to their location and positioning near central crossroads. Longford town became well established and thus the county was named after it. During the 1600s, the impact of the Cromwellian plantations was evident and some further towns were developed including Ballinalee. The estate villages such as Newtownforbes, as well as landlord villages were established in the eighteenth century, including Ballymahon, Keenagh and Edgeworthstown. The construction of the Royal Canal and industrialisation facilitated the development of industrial villages, such as Cloondara (Clondra) and Abbeyshrule. View of Granard town 23County Development Plan 2021–2027

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   Figure 2.2: Overview of the distribution and density of population in County Longford based on Electoral Districts (Source: CSO) 24Longford County Council

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   2.4 Demographic Profile 2.4.1 Population Distribution Ireland’s population stood at 4,761,865 people in April 2016. There were 200 urban settlements across the country, which accommodated 63% of Ireland’s population. County Longford is located within the Midlands region within the Eastern and Midland Regional Assembly area which is the most populous region with over 2.3 million people, of which 40,873 lived in County Longford. An overview of the population distribution within County Longford is provided in Figure 2.2. Further detail is provided for each of the Municipal Districts in Annex: 3: Socio-Economic Profile of Municipal Districts in County Longford (Volume 3: Annexes). However it is considered that the population was relatively well distributed across each with 16,046 people within Longford MD; 10,674 people within Granard MD; and 14,153 people within Ballymahon MD, with relatively higher concentrations around the larger towns of Longford Town, Ballymahon, Granard, Lanesborough and Edgeworthstown. Overall, the population distribution within County Longford has remained relatively consistent over time. According to the Census, a total of 13,957 people (34.2%) were living in urban settlements1 in Longford in 2016 whilst 26,916 (65.85%) were living in smaller towns and villages, as well as in the rural remainder of the county. According to the 2011 Census, the urban and rural population divide within County Longford was 33.1% and 66.9% respectively. As such, the marginal increase (+ 1%) in urban living in County Longford was broadly aligned with the national trends towards urbanisation. 2.4.2 Population Growth and Change 2.4.2.1 Historic Change Ireland’s population stood at 4,761,865 in April 2016 which was an increase of 173,613 people (3.8%) since April 2011. This was driven by natural increase and the Eastern and Midland Regional Assembly area exhibited particularly high growth during that time. Within County Longford, the population increased by 4.8% (or 1,873 persons) between 2011 and 2016, as the population from 39,000 in 2011. As set out in Table 2.1, the rate of population changed varied County Population 2011 Population 2016 Growth Rate (2011-2016) Growth Rate % (2011-2016) County Longford 39,000 40,873 1,873 4.80% Settlements Longford Town 9,601 10,008 407 4.24% Granard1 1,021 1,096 75 6.8% Edgeworthstown 1,744 2,072 328 18.81% Ballymahon 1,563 1,877 314 20.09% Lanesborough2 727 757 30 4.0% Aughnacliffe 148 177 29 19.59% Ballinalee 308 347 39 12.66% Drumlish 835 931 96 11.5% Keenagh 498 581 83 16.67% Legan 199 215 16 8.04% Newtownforbes 759 778 19 2.50% Table 2.1: Population Growth in County Longford during 2011 – 2016 (Source: CSO) 1 CSO changed the settlement boundry between 2011-2016. For consistency, the 2011 boundaries have been used here and it should be noted that the change in boundary results in a population of 816 people within Granard in 2016. 2 County Longford population for Lanesborough derived through analysis of CSO Census ‘Small Area’ data - This estimate therefore excludes the Ballyleague portion of the settlement from the CSO settlement boundary. 25County Development Plan 2021–2027

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   Figure 2.3: Population growth in County Longford 2011 – 2016 based on Electoral Districts (Source: CSO) 26Longford County Council

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   between towns. Longford Town experienced a rate of growth broadly consistent with the county average during that time, whilst Ballymahon, Aughnacliffe, Edgeworthstown and Keenagh exhibited very high rates of population growth (20.09%, 19.59%, 18.81% and 16.67% respectively) which was significantly higher than the county rate of change (4.8%). An illustration of the population growth within County Longford by Electoral District (ED) is provided in Figure 2.3. The intercensal growth in population since 1981 has been set out in Table 2.2 which demonstrates the population growth trends attributable to the overall growth of County Longford. This illustrates that the population of County Longford has grown from 31,410 people in 1981, to 40,873 people in 2016. The majority of areas grew within that timeframe, in alignment with the overall national trend of population growth, albeit different rates with some significant variability in the quantum of population growth evident within individual Electoral Districts. Electoral District 1981 1986 1991 1996 2002 2006 2011 2016 Longford Rural 1986 3676 3685 3576 4317 5046 5492 5704 Longford No.1 Urban 1991 2982 2887 2989 2841 3133 3163 3592 Ballymahon 1996 1689 1617 1559 1548 1802 2327 2674 Meathas Truim 2002 1146 1130 1046 1098 1544 2008 2335 Caldragh 2006 857 917 1127 1269 1598 2061 2172 Drumlish 2011 773 771 799 828 935 1387 1475 Rathcline 2016 1372 1306 1248 1268 1289 1428 1443 Granard Urban 1285 1338 1221 1173 1013 933 1021 1096 Kilcommock 602 625 591 598 581 595 953 1062 Longford No.2 Urban 703 666 649 709 711 800 943 1029 Newtownforbes 645 728 723 768 847 892 902 897 Breanrisk 643 656 601 604 642 711 816 839 Cloonee 562 566 565 599 618 679 727 738 Moydow 510 538 549 566 557 589 668 730 Kilglass 656 580 549 555 588 617 707 709 Cloondara 578 571 560 552 549 575 616 687 Aghaboy 535 509 488 492 509 596 684 681 Ardagh East 586 614 575 529 529 568 613 670 Ballinalee 391 404 360 357 376 453 598 625 Ballinamuck East 549 577 539 485 464 474 546 599 Columbkille 673 682 645 596 596 605 597 592 Cashel West 633 630 572 565 538 547 572 589 Foxhall 409 394 352 373 431 510 525 528 Forgney 418 421 383 380 393 446 497 491 Ardagh West 372 340 333 343 397 439 460 450 Agharra 382 360 322 358 331 357 456 444 Killashee 254 249 239 235 234 284 432 437 Ballinamuck West 503 479 460 453 459 441 501 437 Doory 325 346 331 345 358 416 457 424 Drumgort 539 511 447 430 416 435 428 422 Table 2.2: Population Growth in County Longford per ED 1981 – 2016 (Source: CSO) 27County Development Plan 2021–2027

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   2.4.2.2 Future Change Modelling has been undertaken to project the population change in County Longford throughout the plan period and a number of different scenarios analysed. As described in detail in the Core Strategy (Chapter 4: Core, Settlement and Housing Strategies), it is determined that an interpolation of the targets set out in the National Planning Framework (NPF) to 2040 are appropriate and thus an indicative representation of projected population growth within County Longford during the plan period. The population within County Longford is therefore projected to grow from 40,873 people in 2016, to 43,187 people by 2021 (start of the plan period), to 45,800 people by 2027 (end of the plan period). This represents an increase of 4,927 people during 2016 – 2027, of which 2,614 people is projected to occur during the plan period. The rate of population change within each ED during 2016-2027 is illustrated in Figure 2. 4. Electoral District 1981 1986 1991 1996 2002 2006 2011 2016 Corboy 347 355 350 361 395 381 399 388 Coolamber 296 276 261 261 263 321 371 382 Ledwithstown 307 325 295 269 258 285 356 363 Gelshagh 367 341 298 284 322 319 338 351 Milltown 335 343 329 329 323 351 377 344 Moyne 390 382 341 319 321 305 315 326 Creevy 382 347 349 313 289 344 313 308 Cashel East 377 386 400 372 324 312 323 302 Granard Rural 294 300 264 261 256 300 296 301 Mullanalaghta 309 304 287 301 292 295 299 298 Abbeylara 279 274 285 280 245 314 340 298 Killoe 378 334 323 306 284 302 293 274 Mountdavis 194 208 195 185 197 204 250 252 Ballymuigh 260 272 257 256 255 246 252 250 Crosagstown 205 205 219 208 226 217 241 247 Sonnagh 341 324 306 281 281 286 285 245 Moatfarrell 152 167 131 124 158 187 218 217 Dalystown 186 174 185 175 170 175 188 196 Firry/Newgrove 199 173 188 199 209 221 217 196 Bunlahy 177 172 148 166 167 167 188 195 Knockanbaun 152 153 136 124 132 146 151 169 Lislea 171 166 158 163 142 152 139 145 Currygrane 127 101 116 109 126 125 128 139 Drummeel 138 135 108 111 127 127 138 116 28Longford County Council

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   Figure 2.4: Projected population change in County Longford per ED during 2016-2027 29County Development Plan 2021–2027

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    85+ 80-84 75-79 70-74 65-69 60-64 55-59 50-54 45-49 20-24 40-44 15-19 35-39 10-14 30-34 5-9 25-29 0-4 2.4.3 Structure and Age Profile The average age in County Longford was slightly below the national average (36.8 and 37.4 years respectively), and this is generally reflective of the slightly younger age profile within the broader Eastern and Midlands Region. An extended age profile of County Longford is presented in Figure 2.5 with the age dependency ratios defined in Table 2.3. Dependency ratios are used to give a useful indication of the age structure of a population with young (0-14) and old (65 years +), shown as a percentage of the population of working age (15-64 years). In County Longford, approximately 62.5% of the population within County Longford are therefore of working age (i.e. 15 – 64 years), with 51.2% of prime working age (25-64 age cohorts). Specifically, 27.2% of Longford’s population are between 25 – 44 years old, with a further 24.2% between 45 – 64 years old. Specifically, 29.7% of the county population was under 19 years of age, with the number of children of pre-school age (0-4 years) in County Longford 3,051 (7.5%), whilst 5,205 (12.7%) are of primary school going age (5-12 years). A further 3,432 (8.4%) are of secondary school going age (13-18 years). 14.2% of the population are over 65 years (i.e. older persons), of which just 5.7 % of the population is older than 75 years of age. This reflects the national trend as Census 2016 show that Ireland’s population has been getting steadily older since the 1980s. 13.4% of the state’s population were over 65 years in 2016, and as the RSES notes, by 2031 there will be a significant increase in the regional population aged over 65 years. There is therefore a need to plan for adequate healthcare, accommodation and services to enable independent living for as long as possible, encourage active lifestyles and address isolation for older residents. 0-14 years 15-64 Years Over 65 years Young Age Ratio (%) Old Age Ratio (%) Total Dependency Ratio (%) County Longford 9,508 25,541 5,824 23.30% 14% 37.50% MD Ballymahon 3,244 8,915 1,994 22.9% 14.1% 37.00% Granard 2,430 6,569 1,675 22.8% 15.7% 38.50% Longford 3,384 10,057 2,155 23.9% 13.4% 37.3% Table 2.3: Age dependency ratios in County Longford (Source: CSO) Figure 2.5: Population Age Pyramid for County Longford (Source: CSO) 10.0% 8.0% 6.0% 4.0% 2.0% 0.0% 2.00% 4.0% 6.0% 8..0% 10.0% Age Group n Female % n Male % 30Longford County Council

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