Population Density in Ireland

Population Density in Ireland

1. Historic Factors

   • Before the Great Famine , Irelands population was roughly 6.5 million
     • The population density was 106.9 per km
       • Death and outward migration reduced the population density along the west
     • Most people lived in rural areas due to Ireland`s economy being based solely on agriculture
       • The Great Famine led to 1 million deaths and 1 million people emigrating
         • Farmers along the Western seaboard were only able to grow potato crops
           • The mild, wet climate in the west attracted more potato blight

2. Scio-Economic Factors

   • Policies introduced by the Irish government attracted MNCs to newly built industrial estates
     • This led to employment opportunities in towns and cities
       • Urban centers have higher population densities than urban areas
       • Commuter zones outside major cities attract worker due to their proximity
         • Dublin is a primate city
           • Employment opportunities, higher wages and better services attract people
             • Commuter zones of Dublin have a population density of 75 per km squared
               • These zones have moved to Wicklow, Meath and Laois to avoid high property prices and housing shortages

3. Physical Factors

   • Wet climate, unproductive soils and upland relief make it unattractive for settlement
     • Peaty soils of the midlands and marshy areas along the Shannon has caused a population density of only 25 per km squared
       • The Aran Islands experience population decline
         • In fertile areas Golden Vale and Boyne Valley, large family run farms have led to dense settlement
     • The Blasket Islands, Kerry were abondoned in 1954 due to population decline and exhaustion of their only fuel source

4. Areas of High Density

   • Ireland`s highest population densities are in Cork, Dublin, Limerick and Galway
     • Larger urban centers have developed along coastal lowlands or river banks
     • In 2019, nearly 2 million people lived within 5 km of the coast