Population and Settlement: Urban Life

62% of Ireland's population rests in urban areas. According to the 2011 Census, almost all of the towns in the country continue to grow, with some growing at a very strong rate.Click here to see the current and past populations of Irish cities, and how the percentage of change between 2006 to 2011.

Children living in the Irish slums during the early 20th century.

Actual urban life has changed immensely in the last century. In the early 1900's, poor families were often found crammed into small tenements in large cities, which lacked proper water, sewage, and electricity. Dublin, now the largest city in terms of population in the country, has some of the worst slums in all of Europe during this time. Dublin's formerly elite, luxurious great Georgian terrace homes housed over 21,000 cramped families throughout the 1920's. Work was sparse and far between for many citizens; men were usually found doing work on the docks, waiting for long-term employment while women worked in social services and factories. It wasn't until the 1940's that the cities began to grow and develop in a more positive light.

Irish docks in the 1900's and 2010.

After the Anglo-Irish Treaty was signed, which established the Irish Free State, leaders of Ireland began to do more in terms of public planning. The first major shift in urban living was the destruction of tenement housing. The 1960's began a shift to suburban towns, such as Marino and Crumlin, which sit on the outer edges of big cities. This shift brought about mixed results. Though they were successful in destroying the majority of tenements, there was so much pressure to get the suburban homes ready that they became somewhat makeshift due to limited planning. Because of the lack of markets, transportation, and jobs nearby, for a period of time these suburbs were also synonymous with drug abuse, crime, and unemployment.

After the economic boom of the 1990's, however, life became easier in the urban setting for the Irish peoples. In October of 1985, shortly before the boom, Urban Renewal Projects were introduced to the major cities of Ireland that were facing severe dilapidation.

Henry Street, Dublin in the 1900's and now.

Today, Dublin is considered one of the most vibrant, exciting cities in Europe. The city continues to rapidly grow each year, currently housing about 1.6 million residents, and is home to some of the most influential authors of history, including Oscar Wilde and Samuel Beckett. The city brims with historical architecture from the Georgian period and style, and displays its history through its museums, theaters, and and castles. Though it was once known as home to the worst slums in the continent, Dublin is now an example of the long, rich history Ireland boasts.

Sources:

Getty Images.  (n.d.).  Poor Dublin Ancestors.  Retrieved from http://www.whodoyouthinkyouaremagazine.com/take-it-further/overseas/poor-dublin-ancestors

Ireland after NAMA.  (2012, April 27).  Census 2011:  Town and Country Data.  [Blog post].  Retrieved from http://irelandafternama.wordpress.com/tag/census-2011/

Look Around Ireland.  (2011).  Dublin Ireland.  Retrieved from http://www.lookaroundireland.com/city/dublin.htm#

Socyberty.  (2011).  Social Change in Ireland:  Urban Life.  Retrieved from http://socyberty.com/society/social-change-in-ireland-urban-life/

Taxi, M.  (n.d.).  [Photograph of Irish docks in the 1900's and present day].  Retrieved from http://www.dublin.ie/forums/showthread.php?10697-Then-and-Now-photos-of-Dublin/page2