Carcinogens in Drinking Water Supply

Posted on April 5th, 2008 in An Daingean, Castlecomer-Donaguile, Ennis, Gort, Ireland, Killarney, Living in Ireland, Loughrea, Trim by census-analysis

The following Irish towns have levels of THM’s which are above the current standard in the Drinking Water Regulations. These standards are being made more strict from Dec 2008 - to 100 migro grams per litre - so these water supplies will be well above the safe levels unless something is done to rectify things.  The politicians seem to be keeping quiet about this recent news from the Irish EPA )Environmental Protection Agency) .

Ennis
Ennistymon
Ballintra
Ballinasloe
Gort
Inishere
Killimor
Kinvara
Loughrea
Roundstone
Spiddal
Dingle
Clogh-Castlecomer
Inistioge
Mountmellick
Kiltimagh
East Meath
Trim
Killarney

THMs  are Cancer Group B carcinogens (shown to cause cancer in laboratory animals). Trichloromethane (chloroform) is by far the most common in most water systems. Dibromochloromethane is the most serious cancer risk, (0.6 ug/l to cause a 10-6 cancer risk increase) followed in order by Bromoform (4 ug/l), and Chloroform (6 ug/l).

Clara has lowest percentage of Graduates

Posted on October 24th, 2007 in Bunclody-Carrickduff, Carrick-on-Suir, Castlecomer-Donaguile, Clara, Clones, Living in Ireland, Mountmellick, Muinebeag, Oranmore, Rathnew, Tipperary, Tullow by census-analysis

The town of Clara - according to analysis of Census 2006 figures - has just 6.54% of it’s residents with a third level degree or higher. (Those that have completed education)
This compares to Oranmore at the other end of the scale where 38% of the people are graduates .
The following Irish towns are also not very popular with people educated to degree level :
Carrick-on-Suir  6.76%
Rathnew 7.68%
Tullow  8.14%
Castlecomer-Donaguile 8.26%
Mountmellick  8.44%
Clones  8.55%
Bunclody-Carrickduff  8.7%
Tipperary  8.77%
Muinebeag  8.79%

Longford tops Unemployment Blackspots

Posted on October 22nd, 2007 in Abbeyfeale, Athy, Ballina, Carrick-on-Suir, Castlecomer-Donaguile, Cootehill, Enniscorthy, Living in Ireland, Longford, New Ross, Rathnew by census-analysis

The town of Longford has the highest unemployment rate in Ireland - of all towns over 1500 population.
Census figures show that the percentage of unemployed people in Longford is 11.14% - compared to a national figure of 5.89%. Longford has  almost double the average rate of unemployment.
Top Ten Towns for Worst Unemployment
Rathnew
Abbeyfeale
New Ross
Ballina (Mayo)
Carrick-on-Suir
Enniscorthy
Athy
Castlecomer-Donaguile
Cootehill
All these towns have rates of unemployment above 8.68%

Rural Ireland has Least Mortgages

Posted on October 19th, 2007 in Ballyshannon, Castlecomer-Donaguile, Castleisland, Castlerea, Clones, Housing, Kanturk, Swinford by census-analysis

House Owners with No Mortgage.
People living in Rural areas of Ireland are more likely to have no mortgage outstanding on their home. In the 2006 census 46.48% of rural dwellers owned their home and had no mortgage outstanding on it.
Of the towns with a population over 1500 - it was Kilrush in County Clare that had more mortgage free residents. In Kilrush 41.7% of housing units are owned outright with no mortgage outstanding according to census returns.
Other towns with a high percentage of mortgage free owners are:
Kanturk , Castlerea, Ballyshannon, Swinford, Clones, Castleisland, Castlecomer-Donaguile. All these towns had between 40% and 41% of the homes fully paid for.
Interestingly - 4 of these towns also appear in the top six towns with the highest percentage of over 65s. Castlerea, Kanturk, Kilrush and Swinford. These towns have rates ranging from 18% to 23% of over 65 year olds
Rural Ireland though appears to have younger home owners with no mortgage debts - only 12.24% of rural dwellers are over 65 . This might be accounted for by the higher proportion of self builds in the countryside - usually on land owned by the family with lower costs.