Community Area Profile Baltinglass

Introduction

The heritage town of Baltinglass is in the very heart of West Wicklow. It is a delightful country town on the banks of the river Slaney with a population of just under 2000. The town is a treasure trove of history with its 12th Century Cistercian Abbey. Though the area is County Wicklow it borders the counties of Carlow and Kildare. The town is situated at the intersection of the R747 and the N81 roads, 38 miles south west of Dublin city centre. To the east of the area are the Wicklow mountains, the West, Kildare (Naas 20 miles), to the South, Carlow (Carlow town 15 miles and Tullow 10 miles). The town is known as the capital of West Wicklow. Many small villages, which surround the town, use it as its main centre for commerce, shopping, education and services.

There are two primary schools and one secondary school. Baltinglass is by tradition a market town with a variety of shops, public and professional services. A number of large employers providing full and part time work. There are two large supermarkets, a large hardware store, two filling stations, four restaurants, five factories, several agricultural businesses, ten pubs and five beauty clinics/hairdressers. Baltinglass hospital cares for old people. There is a Health Centre, two General Practitioners' Surgeries, The Garda Station, Library, The Heritage Centre and The Outdoor Education Centre. Two Christian places of worship, and an education centre for adults with special needs. There are several farmers including dairy, cattle, sheep and organic. A golf course and adult education centre.

Baltinglass is a busy market town especially on a Wednesday and Friday, market days. The town has a good sense of community with a lot of active groups and organisations.

Baltinglass like many parts of rural Ireland has seen many changes and most residents in the area have seen their lives change in many ways in recent years. Baltinglass is no longer the small town it was in the 80's and is set to become another dormitory town of Dublin. The town is expanding at a huge rate at the moment with new housing estates and apartment buildings on any available piece of land within the town limits.