There are millions of people all over the world with Irish ancestors – now they can search the 1901 and the 1911 Irish census records online. The National Archives of Ireland website contains all the 1901 and 1911 census information. You can even view the original census forms . Census Site
Oranmore – as made famous in the song “The Galway Shawl” came fifth in our league table of the BEST towns in Ireland to live.
Our top 20 chart was based on census figures from 2006 and was compiled using statistics on Education, Housing, Lone Parents, IT, Unemployment to analyse all the towns. Only towns with populations over 1500 were included. This is not intended as a tourist guide – just an indication of the best towns to live in.
At the 2006 census – the population of Oranmore was just 3513 .
Many of the residents probably work in Galway City and the unemployment rate in Oranmore was only 4.56% – which is below the national average in Ireland of 5.89%
In Oranmore – only 1.51% of the workforce are unable to work because of disability or ill health – which is well below the Irish census average of 4.71% .
Most workers in Oranmore are are employed in technical or professional jobs (24% of the workforce)
Lone parents- make up 12.22% of households in Oranmore – this is two thirds of the national average which is 19.29%.
Housing: Local Authority rented homes make up just 1.3% of the dwelling units in Oranmore. This is about an eighth of the average for Irish towns of 9.06.
Rented homes in Oranmore make up 30% of all homes in the town – which is just over the national average of 28.1%.
Of the homes in Oranmore – 14.5% are owned outright – with no mortgage outstanding – This is half the average for Ireland as a whole which is 28%. This is due to the mostly new homes and yoiunger occupants. In Oranmore the population ages 24 to 44 makes up 48.73% of the population – this is well above the Irish population as a whole which is 34% in that age group.
Central Heating is not installed in 6.64% of dwellings in Oranmore – which is a lot better than the national average of 10.2%.
Information Technology. : 63.18% of households own personal computers in Oranmore – compared to 53.3% nationally. Broadband connections were at 27.8% in Oranmore in 2006 . This is about 30% over the national avearge which was a poor 20.18% . 41% of homes had no internet access at all in Oranmore – compared to the national average of 51%
Education : Education levels of Oranmore residents is the best in Ireland . This doesn’t mean the schools are the best – just that people who live here or moved here for work have a good education . In Oranmore just 4.64% of the people were only educated to primary school level or had no formal education at all. This is way below he national average of 16.72%. People with a third level degree or a higher qualification – make up 38.35% of the Oranmore workforce – which is the highest in any Irish town. and over double the national average of 16.57%.
Community involvement in Oranmore is about the same as the average for the country – 15.9% of the over 15s said they carried out some sort of voluntary work.
The percentage of people with a disability in Oranmore is below the national average of 9.8% at 5%.
Greystones came fifth in our league table of the BEST towns in Ireland .
Our top 20 chart was based on census figures from 2006 and was compiled using statistics on Education, Housing, Lone Parents, IT, Unemployment to analyse all the towns. Only towns with populations over 1500 were included.At the 2006 census – the population of Greystones was 14569 .The unemployment rate in Greystones was 3.1% – almost half the national average in Ireland of 5.89%
In Greystones – only 2.22% of the workforce are unable to work because of disability or ill health – which is again under half the national average of 4.71% .
Most workers in Greystones are are employed in management or clerical jobs (27% of the workforce)
Lone parents- make up 15.81% of all households in Greystones – this is just below the national average which is 19.29%
Housing: Local Authority rented homes make up 4.64% of the dwelling units in Greystones about half of the average for Irish towns of 9.06% of Council houses.
Rented homes in Greystones make up 15.86% of all homes in the town – which is just over half of the national average of 28.1%.
More than a quarter of all homes (27.56%) in Greystones are owned outright – with no mortgage outstanding – This is similar to the average for Ireland as a whole which is 28%.Central Heating is not installed in just 4.85% of dwellings in Greystones – which is better than the national average of 10.2%.
Information Technology. : 72% of households own personal computers in Greystones – compared to 53.3% nationally. Broadband connections were at 36.3% in Greystones in 2006 about 75% above the national average which was a fairly poor 20.18% .
33% of homes had no internet access at all in Greystones – compared to the national average of 51%.
Education : Just 8.24% of the people living in Greystones were only educated to primary school level or had no formal education at all. This is half the national average of 16.72%. eople with a third level degree or a higher qualification – make up 33% of the Greystones workforce – which is more than double the national average of 16.57%.
Community involvement in Greystones is above the average for the country – 19% of the over 15s said they carried out some sort of voluntary work.The percentage of people with a disability in Greystones is below the national average of 9.8% at 8.6%.
New Ross came fifth in our top 20 Worst towns in Ireland . Our chart was based on census figures from 2006 and used statistics on Education, Housing, Lone Parents, IT, Unemployment to analyse all the towns with populations over 1500.At the 2006 census – the population of New Ross was 7709 .The unemployment rate in New Ross was 9.86% and was the 5th highest rate of unemployment in Ireland
In New Ross – 4.9% of the workforce are unable to work because of disability or ill health – which is slightly above over the national average of 4.71% .
Most workers in New Ross are are employed in manufacturing (15.86% of the workforce)
Lone parents- make up 24.4% of all households in New Ross well above the National average of 19.29%
Housing: Local Authority rented homes make up 16.56% of the dwelling units in New Ross – the fourh highest percentage in the country behind Rathangan, Lonford and Rathnew.
Rented homes in New Ross make up 40.37% of all homes in the town – 50% above the average for Ireland of 28.1%.
26.27% of houses in New Ross are owned outright – with no mortgage outstanding – just below the average for Ireland as a whole.
Central Heating is not installed in 16.56% of all dwellings in New Ross – which is 50% worse than the national averageof 10.22%.
Information Technology. : 46.48% of households own personal computers in New Ross – compared to 53.3% nationally. But 18.5% had broadband at the last census – not much lower than the Irish average at the time of 20.18% .
Also – 56.75% of homes had no internet access at all in New Ross – compared to the average of 51%
Education : 18.8% of the people living in New Ross – were only educated to primary school level or had no formal education at all. This is very close to the national average of 16.72%.
People with a third level degree or a higher qualification – make up just 11.43% of the New Ross workforce – which is about two thirds of the national average of 16.57%.
Community involvement in New Ross is just below the average for the country. In New Ross 14.2% of the over 15s said they carry out some sort of voluntary work compared to the national average of 15.42%
The percentage of people with a disability in New Ross is below the national average of 9.8% at 9.3%.
Tipperary town came third in our chart of worst place to live in Ireland . Based on census 2006 information we have compiled a top 20 best and worst places to live in Ireland. Of course people will disagree with these positions – but thay are based on facts and figures like unemployment, housing, lone parents and education.
At the 2006 census 2006 – the population of Tipperary Town was 5065 .The unemployment rate was 7.6% – this compares badly with a National Average of 5.92%
In Tipperary – 7.72% of the workforce are unable to work because of disability or ill health – which is over 40% above the national average of 4.71% .
Of those people in work – the largest proportion are employed in sales (15.49% of the workforce) .Lone parent households in Tipperary- make up 28.73% of all households. This is the highest in Ireland and about 30% above the National average.
Local Authority rented homes make up 15.94% of the dwelling units in Tipperary – the sixth highest percentage in Ireland.
Rented homes make up 36.46% of all homes in Tipperary – slightly above the average for Ireland of 28.1%.
35.64% of occupied houses in Tipperary are owned outright – with no mortgage outstanding. This compares with an average of 28% across Ireland as a whole.
Heating: 21.56% of all dwellings in Tipperary have no central heating – which is more than double the average for the country as a whole (10.22%).
I.T. : 36.36% of households own personal computers in Tipperary – compared to 53.3% nationally. Only 11.4% had broadband at the last census – much lower than the Irish average at the time of 20.18% . Also – 71% of homes had no internet access at all in Tipperary – compared to the average of 51%
Education : 24.98% of the people living in Tipperary — only went as far as primary school or had no formal education at all. This is very close to 50% above the national average of 16.72%
People with a third level degree or a higher qualification – make up just 8.7% of the Tipperary workforce – which is almost half the national average of 16.57%
Community involvement in Tipperary is just below the average for the country. In Tipperary 14.9 % of the over 15s said they carry out some sort of voluntary work compared to the national average of 15.42%
The percentage of people with a disability in Tipperary is above the national average of 9.8% at 14.9%.
Rathnew in Wicklow came out top of our table of the towns with some of the worst statistics on the 2006 Census.
The population of Rathnew is 1849
Unemployment is 11.07% – almost double the National Average of 5.92%)
and 7.01% of the workforce are unable to work because of ill health – about 50% over the national average of 4.71%
Of those working – the majority work in building and construction (14.44% of the workforce).Lone parent households make up 24.29% of family units in Rathnew – which is almost 25% above the average in Ireland of 19.3%.
Local Authority rented homes make up 19.31% of the dwelling units in Rathnew – compared to 9.06% average for the country.
Central Heating – 14.44% of all dwellings in Rathnew have no central heating – which is about 40% higher than the country as a whole (10.22%).
Of the people living in Rathnew who have completed their education in – 24.71% went no further than primary school or had no formal education at all. This is almost 50% above the national average of 16.72%. Graduates make up 7.68% of the Rathnew population – again almost 50% lower than the average for the Irish population.
Less people are involved in voluntary work in Rathnew than the national average. Just 9.95% of the over 15s in Rathnew do some sort of voluntary work compared to the national average of 15.42% – about 30% less.
The population of Rathnew has a younger profile than the national average. Only 24.5% of Rathnew residents are over 45 compared to 30.9% for the whole of Ireland. This is not a factor used in compiling the chart – but it is interesting to note it.
All these figures are based on detailed analysis of the 2006 Census of Ireland.
Is Malahide the best location to live in Ireland?
According to our analysis of 2006 census data – Malahide came out top of all the towns with a population of 1500 or more. Malahide beat over 180 other towns into 1st place in the Ireland-Towns.com chart.
Based on statistics for thing slike unemployment, sickness, lone parents, voluntary work, education levels and housing – Malahide seems to be the best place to live. Of course there are other factors that have not been considered here such as house prices and crime – but on the statistics available from the census – Malahide comes out best.
Unemployment in Malahide is low – just 2.61% – less than half the average for the country (5.89%).
Just 1.77% of the workforce in Malahide are not able to work because of ill health problems – this is well below the national average of 4.71%
Of those living in Malahide and working – the majority work in management/ government or clerical work (30.1% of the workforce). Malahide has the highest percentage of workers in Ireland in this category of work(clerical – management – government)Lone parent households make up 11.04% of family units in Malahide – which is almost 45% below the average for Ireland of 19.3%.
The percentage of single people in Malahide is 55.4% – the lowest in Ireland and about 15% below the average for Ireland which is 64.28% single people. (This has not been classed as a “good” thing)
Local Authority rented homes make up only 2.04% of the total dwelling units in Malahide – compared to 9.06% average for the country.
Central Heating – 2.13% of all homes in Malahide have no central heating – which is 80% lower than the country as a whole (10.22%). Nearly one third of homes in Malahide (32.34) are owned outright – with no mortgage. This compares with 28% across Ireland as a whole
Of the people living in Malahide who have completed their education – just 6.38% went no further than primary school or had no formal education at all. The national average of 16.72% going no further than primary education- is almost treble that of Malahide.
Graduates make up 34.85% of the Malahide workforce – over 100% higher than the average for the Irish population of 16.56%.
More people are involved in voluntary work in Malahide than the national average. 19% of the over 15s in Malahide said they do some sort of voluntary work compared to the national average of 15.42% – about 20% more.
The population of Malahide has a slightly older age profile than the national average. 34.5.5% of Malahide residents are over 45 compared to 30.9% for the whole of Ireland. The percentage of retired people is just below the average at 10.91%.
We have carried out detailed analysis of census statistics from all the towns in Ireland with more than 1500 people. Based on that information we have compiled a top twenty of the best and worst towns in Ireland.
Longford Town came out second worst (just behind Rathnew).
At the last census in 2006 – the population of Longford Town was 8836
Unemployment was 11.14% the highest in Ireland at the time and almost double the – National Average of 5.92%)
5.5% of the workforce are unable to work because of disability or ill health – which is also more than the national average of 4.71%
Of those working – the majority work in manufacturing or sales (25% of the workforce) .
Lone parent households -make up 27.12% of those in Longford – which is the third highest in Ireland just behind Tipperary and Cashel .
Local Authority rented homes make up 19.3% of the dwelling units in Longford – the second highest in Ireland just behind Rathnew. Rented homes make up 47% of housing units in Longford – the most in all the towns in the survey and way above the average of 28.1%.
22.3% of homes in Longford are owned outright – with no mortgage outstanding . This compares with an average of 28% across Ireland as a whole.
Residents of Traveller ethnic origin make up 4.6% of Longford’s population – the eighth highest percentage in any town over 10000 population.
Central Heating – 17.92% of all dwellings in Longford have no central heating – which is 70% worse than the average for the country as a whole (10.22%).
Education : 20% of the people living in Longford – who have completed their education – only went as far as primary school or had no formal education at all. This is about 25% above the national average of 16.72%
Community involvement in Longford is about the same as the average for the country . In Longford 15.49 % of the over 15s carry out some sort of voluntary work compared to the national average of 15.42%
The percentage of retired people though – is below the average of 11.05% at 8.84%.
The 2006 census figures show that Muslims in Ireland make up 0.767% of the population. (32539 out of a total population of 4239848)
A breakdown of religions was carried out on the Irish towns with more than 5000 people.
Of all these towns – Cavan Town has the highest percentage of Muslims in Ireland – 3.2% of the population of Cavan Town stated they were Muslims.
Top 10 Irish towns for Muslims (over 5000 population)
Cavan 3.2%
Killarney 2.95%
Ballinasloe 2.32%
Tralee 2.3%
Ennis 2.03%
Roscommon 1.87%
Balbriggan 1.75%
Portlaoise 1.67%
Castlebar 1.62%
Tullamore 1.6%
The towns with the least Muslims in Ireland are:
Dunboyne 0.035% (just 2 out of 5713)
Buncrana .068%
Youghal 0.088%
Birr 0.098%
Census 2006 figures released last week – show that Ballina in Mayo has 92.9% of it’s population that stated their religion was Roman Catholic. Of all the towns with more than 5000 population – Ballina was the town with the highest percentage of Catholics.
The total percentage of Catholics in Ireland as a whole is 86.83%
Top Ten towns for percentages of Catholic residents:
Ballina 92.9%
Carrick-on-Suir 92.82%
Buncrana 92.54%
Thurles 92.37%
Clonmel 91.99%
Tipperary 91.47%
Dunboyne 91.41%
Newcastle West 91.33%
Mallow 91.24%
New Ross 90.96%