O ldcastle Chamber of
Commerce
About Oldcastle - Town Profile
Oldcastle (Irish: Sean Chaisleán) is located in the north-west of
Co. Meath, close to the border with Cavan & is (approximately) 21 km from Kells
& 80km north-west of Dublin.
As of the 2006 census, the area's population stood at 4,272 with 2,226 people
living in Oldcastle itself (CSO Census 2006).
The R154 & R195 regional roads cross in Oldcastle's market square.
R154
Regional road in Ireland, linking the N3 near Clonee, Co. Meath to
Crossdoney (near Cavan) in Co. Cavan. The R154 is single carriageway
throughout & many parts of the route has dangerous bends.
The R154 leaves the N3 at Black Bull in the town-land of Piercetown, roughly 10
km (6 miles) north of Clonee, Co. Meath. The R154 passes through small
settlements & townlands, including Kiltale, on the way to Trim.
At Trim, the R154 bypasses the town centre along the Inner Relief Road, with
junctions to the R160, R158 & R161. From Trim, the R154 runs north to meet
the N51 at Athboy.
The R154 leaves the N51 on the west side of Athboy & runs north to cross the N52
just south of Kilskeer. The R154 continues north/northwest to Oldcastle,
meeting the R163 along the way, just north of Crossakiel.
At Oldcastle, the R154 crosses the R195 & continues northeast through
Mountnugent in Co. Cavan, joining the R194 at a staggered junction.
The R154 leaves the R194, continuing northeast through Kilnaleck & across the
N55 at Ballinagh. The route ends at Crossdoney, meeting the R198 about 10
km (6 miles) southwest of Cavan town.
R195
Regional road in Ireland, linking Castlepollard in Co. Westmeath to
Virginia in Co. Cavan. The R195 passes through the town of Oldcastle, Co.
Meath & several villages and hamlets en route; the road is 26 km (16 miles)
long.
Oldcastle is located in the foothills of Sliabh na Caillaigh & has a reputation
for its rich, warm & friendly atmosphere.
Oldcastle is a centre for anglers & is ideally located 6.4km from Lough Ramor
(Co. Cavan), a lake that is noted for its coarse fishing.
Oldcastle is also ideally located 10km from Lough Sheelin (Co. Cavan) which is
noted for its trout fishing.
Loughcrew is situated just a mere 3 miles
from Oldcastle & is the birthplace of
St. Oliver Plunkett.
Oldcastle is the 18th century creation of the Naper family who had received
parts of the Plunkett estate following the Cromwellian wars. St. Oliver
Plunkett, a 17th century Archbishop of Armagh, who was hung, drawn & quartered
in Tyburn, London in 1681 on false charges, was the most famous member of this
family.
Often styled 'the last of Ireland's martyrs', St. Oliver Plunkett was canonised
by the Vatican in 1975.
Population
According to the Census of 2006, the population of Oldcastle had increased by
19.8% since 2002; the area's population at this time (2006) stood at 4,272 with
2,226 residents living in the town itself.
In recent years Oldcastle has grown, being an important destination for workers
from Eastern Europe, who come to work in the numerous industries, particularly
furniture, bedding and victualling which is located in the area.
Industry
Oldcastle has been the 'bed-making capital of Ireland' now for decades.
Gleneagle Woodcrafts & Respa Bedding are two well-known industries that have
made a name for themselves in Ireland & are a major source of employment in the
area.
Also of note are the engineering firms located in the parish of Moylough, which
is situated 5 miles from Oldcastle.
Education
Oldcastle is served by many educational amenities. As well as a mixed
primary school, Gilson Endowed National School,
there is also a second-level vocational school;
St. Oliver's Post Primary School has
been expanded in recent years with the opening of a new building in 2002.
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