Details on Roscrea

Profile of Roscrea

1. Introduction
2. Profile of Population and Industry
3. Transport
4. Education
5. Settlement Strategy and Housing
6. Amenities
7. Tourism

1. INTRODUCTION

Roscrea is a south Midlands town situated on the N7, 120km from Dublin and 72km from Limerick.

2. PROFILE OF POPULATION AND INDUSTRY

2.1 Population Size

The population of Roscrea town increased from 4,170 in 1996 to reach 4,578 in 2002. This represents a 10 per cent increase over that period and is in stark contrast to the population decrease experienced over the period 1991 - 1996.

In addition there were 14,875 persons residing in the rural area of Roscrea in 2002.

The population of Roscrea town in 1991, 1996 and 2002 was 4,231, 4,170 and 4,578 and in rural Roscrea 14,930, 14,557 and 14,875 respectively.

Source: Census of Population 1991, 1996 and 2002.

2.2 Age Profile

Roscrea has a young population. In 2002, almost 40 per cent of the town's population were under the age of 25 years. A further 28 per cent were aged between 25 and 44 years.

The age breakdown is as follow:

0-14: 1,056
15-24: 693
25-44: 1,304
45-64: 896
65+: 629.

Source: Census of Population 2002.

2.3 Economic Status

There were 1,939 people in the labour force in Roscrea town in 2002. Of those in the labour force, 1,702 (88 per cent) were in employment and 237 (22 per cent) were unemployed or looking for their first job.

The Principal Economic Status of Persons aged 15 years and over in 2002 was -

1,702 At work, 28 looking for first job, 209 Unemployed. The Total in Labour Force was 1,939. There were 309 Students, 588 looking after home, 491 retired, 165 unable to work and 30 others.

The Total not in Labour Force was 1,583. The Total age 15 and over was 3,522.

Source: Census 2002, Volume 5.

Of the 1,702 people at work in Roscrea, 84.7 per cent were employees, 15.1 per cent were employers and the remaining 0.2 per cent were assisting relatives.

The Employment Status of Persons aged 15 years and over at Work or Unemployed in 2002 was 257 Employer/own account worker, 1,441/employee -and 3 assisting relatives. The total at work was 1,702.

Source: Census 2002, Volume 5.

2.4 Industry

Manufacturing is the main employment source for people living in Roscrea town. Approximately one quarter (26 per cent) of the town's workforce work in manufacturing. Fourteen per cent work in wholesale and retail. Four per cent work in public administration and defence. Approximately one quarter of the town's workforce work in either public administration and defence, education, health and social work and other community, social and personal services.,

Industrial type of person aged 15 years and over at work in 2002 included:

37 in Agriculture, Fishing and Forestry,
6 in Mining, Quarrying and Turf
447 in Manufacturing
7 in Electricity, Gas and Water
122 in Construction
245 in Wholesale and Retail
88 in Hotels and Restaurants
90 in Transport & Communications & storage
41 in Banking & Financial services
64 in Real estate, renting & Business activities
71 in Public Admin & Defence
105 in Education
157 in Health and Social Work
68 in Other community, social & personal services
154 in Industry not stated

Total = 1,702.

Source: Census 2002, Volume 5.

2.5 Broadband

According to information posted on the Roscrea online website the town is currently lobbying for broadband technology to be introduced to the town.

3. TRANSPORT

Roscrea is situated on the N7, just over midway between Dublin and Limerick, the town was by-passed several years ago. It is also the converging point for a number of other routes including the N62 to Athlone/Cork. The approximate distances from Roscrea to other major towns in Ireland are:

Roscrea to Dublin Port + Airport =134 km
Roscrea to Belfast Port + Airport = 301 km,
Roscrea to Cork Port + Airport = 160 km,
Roscrea to Waterford Port + Airport =115km
Roscrea to Galway Port + Airport = 104 km
Roscrea to Limerick Port = 71 km
Roscrea to Rosslare Port = 152 km
Roscrea to Shannon Port + Airport = 96km

Source: http://www.aaroadwatch.ie/routes/.

3.1 Trains

The Roscrea rail service is serviced by a feeder line from Ballybrophy which, lies on the main Dublin to Cork route.

However it should be noted that according to information posted on the Roscrea online website 'a sub committee representing the various counties affected by the Limerick to Ballybrophy line is currently seeking funding of €25,000 to commission a report, which will hopefully prove the viability of the keeping the rail line up, as well as upgrading the services on the existing line. The Minister for transport has given the group until the end of 2004, to produce a report convincing him that the Limerick/Ballybrophy line has a future'. (http://www.roscreaonline.com)

Services Available

Direct trains are available from Limerick to Roscrea. Travelling to Roscrea from either Dublin or Cork involves one changeover. Other towns such as Galway and Athlone are accessible by train from Roscrea, but the number of changeovers and changeover waiting times are extensive.

Dublin - Roscrea - Dublin

Currently there are two daily trains from Dublin (Heuston) to Roscrea. One in the morning at 8.30 and one in the evening at 17.35.
There are also two daily trains operating Monday to Friday from Roscrea to Dublin, one in the morning at 8.28 and one in the evening at 16.29. ,

There are four trains from Limerick to Roscrea daily. Two are direct, departing Limerick at 7am and 15.00pm.

Source: http://www.irishrail.ie

There are two direct trains operating Monday to Friday from Roscrea to Limerick, one in the morning at 10.03 and one in the evening at 19.18. Two additional trains service Limerick from Roscrea with changeovers.

It is not possible to take a direct train from Galway to Roscrea. However, there are four trains departing Galway daily that with changeovers service Roscrea.

There are three trains from Roscrea daily that, with two changeovers, service Galway. Changeover waiting times are lengthy.

Train availability to and from Roscrea to Athlone is similar. The frequency of trains is limited and changeovers are numerous.

Cork - Roscrea - Cork

Trains between Cork and Roscrea involve many changeovers. The earliest train from Cork to Roscrea takes almost five hours departing Cork at 5.15 and arriving in Roscrea at 10.02. The next train arrives late in the afternoon at 16.28.

Source: http://www.irishrail.ie.

3.2 Buses

There are daily bus services to and from Limerick and Dublin provided by Bus Eireann and the private bus company JJ Kavanagh and Sons.

Bus Eireann Services

Dublin - Roscrea - Ennis

Roscrea is located on the main Dublin to Ennis (via Limerick) Bus Eireann route. Services are regular between the two destinations.

Buses leave Dublin hourly for Roscrea, commencing at 7.30. The last bus leaves Dublin at 20.00. The journey time from Dublin to Roscrea is approximately 2 hours and 20 minutes. These buses continue on to Limerick and Ennis.

There are hourly buses from Ennis and Limerick to Roscrea. The first bus leaves Ennis at 7.20 and the last one at 18.20. These buses continue on to Dublin. The Journey time from Ennis to Roscrea is 2 hours 20 minutes.

Cork - Roscrea - Cork

There are two daily Bus Eireann buses from Cork to Roscrea, one departing at 9.20 and one in the afternoon at 15.00.

Source: http://www.buseireann.ie

Similarly there are two daily buses servicing Cork from Roscrea, one in the morning at 10.10 and one in the afternoon at 16.00,

Source: http://www.buseireann.ie.

Athlone - Roscrea - Athlone

There are two buses serving Roscrea from Athlone, one at 9.00am and one at 14.45pm. Journey time one hour and ten minutes.

Source: http://www.buseireann.ie

In terms of the Roscrea - Athlone route, there are two daily buses, one at 12.40 and one at 18.10. Journey time again one hour and ten minutes.

Longford/Sligo - Roscrea - Longford/Sligo

There is one daily bus from Roscrea to Longford that continues on to Sligo.

There is also one daily bus from Sligo to Roscrea via Longford.

JJ KAVANAGH Services

Kavanaghs operates four daily buses from Dublin to Roscrea, departing Dublin at 13.30, 16.00, 18.00 and 19.45

They also runs four daily buses to Dublin, departing Roscrea at 8.30, 10.30, 12.30 and 14.30.

Kavanaghs operate two daily buses to Limerick departing Roscrea at 3.30 and 18.00

From Limerick to Roscrea, there are three daily Kavanagh buses departing at 9.15, 11.15 and 13.15

3.3 Taxi/Hackney

Roscrea has a taxi and hackney service servicing the town and surrounding areas. Three local taxi and hackney operators are:

Tom Cordial, Bridge House , Limerick Street, Roscrea
Fletchers Hackney service, Tullaskeagh, Roscrea
Pauls Hackney Service, 54 Assumption Park, Roscrea

3.4 Airports

The nearest airports to Roscrea are located in Shannon (93km) and in Dublin (120km).

4. EDUCATION

4.1 Crèches

There are nine crèches listed in Roscrea town and surrounding area.

Busy Bee Community Pre-school, Roscrea 2000 Ltd., New Line, Roscrea
Happy Days Creche, Roscrea 2000 Ltd., New Line, Roscrea
Jack and Jill Community Creche, Roscrea 2000 Ltd., New Line, Roscrea
St. Joseph's Pre-school, Corville NS, Corville, Roscrea
Frances' Playschool, 5 Cluain Ard, Roscrea
Lavinia Read, 1 Mall Close, Roscrea
Tina's Montessori Pre-school, Scart, New Rd., Roscrea
Carol Thompson, Willison, Monastery Rd. Roscrea
Busy Bodies Montessori, Kileen, Rathcabin, Roscrea

(http://www.roscreaonline.com)

4.2 Primary Schools

There are 14 primary schools in Roscrea and its surrounds, four of
which are located in the town.

Convent National School, New Line, Roscrea
Corville National School, Corville, Roscrea
Dromakeenan National School, Dromakeenan, Roscrea
St. Cronan's National School, Rosemount, Roscrea
Scoil Eoin, Naofa, Golden Grove, Roscrea
Killesmeesta National School, Borris-In-Ossory
Roscomroe National School, Ballybritt, Roscrea
Shinrone National School, Main Street, Shinrone
Borris-In-Ossory National School, Borris-In-Ossory
Knock National School, Knock, Roscrea
Lismackin National School, Lismackin, Roscrea
Coolderry National School, Coolderry, Birr
Dunkerrin National School, Dunkerrin, Birr
Erril National School, Erril, Rathdowney

(http://www.roscreaonline.com)

4.3 Secondary Schools

There is one second level school in the town, Colaiste Phobal Roscrea. Colaiste Phobal Roscrea caters for over 900 pupils. There is also a Youthreach centre in Roscrea.

4.4 Adult education

Colaiste Phobal Roscrea, the Community College in Roscrea offers full time day 'Return to Work' courses as well as an Adult Education Programme, which runs its classes on week nights (http://www.roscreaonline.com).

1. Full-time day courses available include:

Return to Work Information
Technology Skills Course
Informational Technology with Business Skills
Beginner's Information Technology Skills Course

2. As part of its Adult Education Programme Colaiste Phobal,
Roscrea provides Ongoing Diploma and Certificate Courses and Hobbies and Craft classes.

The ongoing Diploma and Certificate Courses include:

Accounting Technician
Addiction Studies
Psychology
Counselling
ECDL
First Line Management
First Aid
Carers
Farm Computers
Farm Safety
Classroom Assistant
Special Needs Assistant
Special Needs Conversion

The Hobbies, Crafts and other Courses include:

Computers
Art/Creative
Cookery
Garden
Music
Dance
Woodwork
English
Parentcraft

Roscrea 2000 provides the community with several services. Included in these services are Adult Education and Computer Training (http://www.roscreaonline.com).

The Brigidine Secondary School, Mountrath, Co. Laois offers a Business Studies Secretarial Course from September to May. Mounthrath is located 25km from Roscrea (http://www.roscreaonline.com).

Tipperary North Women in Business Network is available to all women in North Tipperary who are already in, or wish to start up, their own business (http://www.roscreaonline.com).

4.5 Third Level Universities / Institutes of Technology

Third level facilities are available in the Tipperary Institute (TI) in Thurles. Thurles is situated 35 km from Roscrea. "In the Tipperary Institute third level education is integrated with rural and business development programmes" (http://www.tippinst.ie). Degree, Diploma and Certificate courses are available in TI in the following disciplines:

Business Development
Rural Development
Information and Communication Technology

Third level facilities are also available in Limerick (72 km) and Athlone (64 km).

4.6 Special Needs

Special Needs are catered for by two facilities namely St. Cronans and St. Annes.

5. SETTLEMENT STRATEGY AND HOUSING

5.1 Settlement Strategy

North County Tipperary is rural in character with more than 60 per cent of the population living in rural DEDs. Apart from Thurles, Nenagh and Roscrea, and to a lesser extent Templemore and Borrisokane, much of the County suffers from a weak urban fabric of towns and villages in addition to a wide dispersal of housing in the countryside. This pattern has been amplified in recent years where the numbers moving out to the countryside has increased without a balancing increase in the population of villages and towns. In 1996 the rural population in North Tipperary was 55.3 per cent of the County, this figure increased to 60.1 per cent by 2002 (North Tipperary Draft County Development Plan 2003).

In estimating the future housing requirements for North Tipperary the County Housing Strategy 2001 identified an annual need for on average 851 additional housing units over the period 2001 - 2006. This figure was arrived at on the basis that future annual house construction would amount to the average house completion figures over the period 1996 - 2001.

According to the North Tipperary Draft County Development Plan 2003 - 2009, forecast population growth over the period of the plan will mean that the requirement for 851 annual additional units will continue throughout the life of the plan, giving a total requirement of 5,106 housing units over the period 2003 - 2009.

The location of these houses will be determined by the County's settlement strategy. The settlement strategy adopted for the County, in the County Development Plan, is based on creating a 'hierarchy of growth nodes' in the County. The role given to Roscrea in the strategy is as follows: 'Roscrea will be promoted as a market town for north of the County and parts of Offaly. Roscrea is a heritage town and will be promoted and developed as a tourist destination.

It's residential function will be strengthened, its retail function as a market town enhanced, and its strong leisure resources protected and improved'.

5.2 Housing Planning Permissions

The information in this section relates to the most recent available Housing Strategy for North Tipperary (2001). As the most recent Development Plan for Roscrea was published in 1996 a lot of the material in it is quite dated. It is not yet known when the next Roscrea Development Plan will be published.

An analysis of residential planning permissions in North Tipperary in both 1996 and 2000 shows that the number of planning permissions granted has risen in almost all DEDs with the exception of Ballina. Roscrea was the third largest DED in terms of granted residential permissions in 2000. The number of permissions granted increased by 248 per cent in Roscrea over the period 1996 - 2000.

5.3 Zoned Land

The ability of an area to house increased population numbers is dependant on the availability of serviced zoned land. According to the October 2001 Housing Strategy for North Tipperary there are 254 hectares of zoned lands in North Tipperary. At a residential density of 25 houses per hectare this represents land availability for 6,350 houses, 600 of which could be located in Roscrea. However, according to the Housing Strategy 'there is a severe shortage of serviced land in the towns, particularly Roscrea and Templemore'. Of the 254 hectares of zoned land, 110 ha were serviced, 80 ha of which were located in the Nenagh UDC area. According to the Housing Strategy the main issue of concern is the uneven distribution of zoned and serviced lands through out the county. The likely effect of this situation being left unremedied will be a stifling of residential development in Roscrea, Templemore and many of the smaller towns, while there will be disproportionate pressure on residential development in Thurles and Nenagh".

5.4 House Prices

Information on average housing costs is not readily available for the Roscrea area.

The Department of the Environment, Heritage and Local Government do however produce a quarterly Housing Statistical Bulletin in which they outline the average price of housing for which loans were approved in areas in Ireland outside Cork, Dublin, Galway, Limerick and Waterford.

According to the September 2003 Housing Statistics Bulletin the average cost of housing is as follows:

Average Price of Housing:

A new house: €205,464
A second hand house: €221,510
A new apartment: €200,515,
A new house excluding apts: €205,760
A second hand house excluding apts: €222,135
A second hand apt: €205,305

To try and identify average house prices in the Roscrea area the property website Myhome.ie was used. Analysis of house prices in Roscrea taken from Myhome.ie revealed the following house prices:

A 2-bed Terraced on average is looking for €130,000
A 3-bed Terraced on average is looking for €140,000
A 2-bed Semi-detached on average is looking for €190,000
4-bed detached on average are looking for between €215,000 and €320,000
5-bed detached on average are looking for between €300,000 and €350,000

It should be noted however that the houses looked at on Myhome.ie vary in terms of:

type of housing (bungalows, new housing developments, second-hand housing, etc.); and
location/setting (rural or town)

6. AMENITIES

6.1 Hotels/Guest houses

There are two hotels (the Grants Hotel and the Racket Hall Country House Golf and Conference Centre) and two guesthouses (the Tower and the Cistercian College) listed in the locality (http://www.goldenpages.ie).

6.2 Business Services

The town has five solicitors, two accountancy firms, one insurance brokers, eight auctioneer/estate agent firms, two architectural firms and four engineering firms listed in the town (http://www.goldenpages.ie). Roscrea has an AIB and a Bank of Ireland bank branch. It also has Irish Permanent (TSB) and First Active Building Societies and a credit union.

6.3 Healthcare

The nearest General hospital is located in Nenagh (32km) and the nearest regional hospitals would be in Limerick (72km) and Portlaoise (39km).

There is also a health centre in Roscrea, two nursing homes (St Kierans and the Villa Marie Nursing Home), a Community Nursing Unit (Dean Maxwell) and an outpatient's clinic 'The Dispensary'.

6.4 Shopping

Roscrea was historically a market town. Today there is a selection of shops and services including one shopping centre in the centre of the town, it has Tesco, two boutiques, a bakery, lifestyle sports, a newsagents and a chemist. Supervalue and Lidl are also located in the town.

6.5 Eating out

There are eight restaurants in the town, including MacDonalds and an Italian café (http://www.roscreaonline.com).

6.6 Entertainment

Cinema: The nearest cinemas are found in Nenagh (32km) and Tullamore (56km).

6.7 Public Services

Roscrea has the following facilities:

a 24 hour Garda station
a Fire Brigade
ESB and Telecom repair services
a Post Office
a Public Library with internet access
a Community and Tourism Leisure Centre
a Golf club
a Pitch and Putt Course
a Swimming pool;,
a Health and Fitness Club;,
a public playground; and,
Squash, basketball and handball facilities

6.8 Sporting and Leisure Facilities

There are a variety of sporting clubs and leisure groups active in the Roscrea area.

Clubs exist for the following sporting activities:

Athletics
Badmington
Camogie
GAA
Golf
Pitch and Putt
Rugby
Soccer
Tennis

Clubs also exist for the following leisure activities:

Bridge
Equestrian
Community Games
Cricket
Gardening
Heritage
Hill Walking
Model Flying
Shooting
Films
Photography

(http://www.roscreaonline.com)

6.9 Community Groups

Business interests in the town and the surrounding areas are represented by the Roscrea Chamber of Commerce and the Roscrea Community Development Council. Roscrea 2000 Limited also provides services to the community through the Community Resource Centre. In addition interest groups such as the Irish Country Women's Association, Tidy Towns, the Lions Club, Conradh na Gaeilge, Macra na Feirme and an Environmental and Nature Awareness group are active in the area .

(http://www.roscreaonline.com).

7. TOURISM

Roscrea is located in the Ely O'Carroll Country embracing parts of Offaly, Tipperary and Laois. "The surrounding area has vast tracts of bogland, rolling hills, waterways, farmlands and forests. The area is diversified by the Knockmealdown, Galtee, Arra and Silvermine mountain ranges" (http://www.roscreaonline.com).

"Roscrea itself is regarded as a Heritage Town" (http://www.roscreaonline.com). A Heritage Trail, with accompanying booklet, is available to help visitors explore the town. Part of the town's heritage includes Roscrea Castle and Damar house.

Roscrea Castle is a stone castle dating from the 1280s consisting of a gate tower, curtain walls and two corner towers. Some of the castle rooms house exhibitions.

Damar House was built in the early 18th century in the Queen Ann style, and offers an example of pre-Palladian architecture. It rooms temporary exhibitions and guided tours are provided.

In addition to the above the town's heritage includes:

St. Cronan's Cathedral Church and Tower,
Monaincha Abbey
Sean Ross Demesne, and
The Franciscan Friary.

Residents and visitors to the area can walk the Silver River Nature Trail, a walk of geological and botanical interest. They can also visit the Slieve Bloom Display Centre in Kinnitty, which features a display of graphic illustrations and maps tracing the history of the Slieve Bloom Mountains, which are located to the north east of the town. There are also five monastic sites in the encircling region (http://www.roscreaonline.com).

To the south east of Roscrea, near the Laois border, are the Timoney Hills, where an area of over 100 acres contains more than 300 standing stones. Five miles north west of Roscrea stands the fine mansion of Gloster, dating from 1680; Wesley preached here in 1749. Two miles south west is the ruined Ballinakilt Castle, built in 1580 (http://www.tipperarylocal.ie).