Population Centres

**dcfcsteve** · 22/03/2006, 3:52 PM

Originally Posted by Schumi

Amsterdam is the Dutch capital.

Constitutionally yes - but it is not the administrative capital of Holland, which is what usually accounts for a capital city. It's just the Dutch being wierd again.

We could have Ballhaunis as our state capital in the constituion, and yes - it would therefore technically be the capital. But with Dublin as the administrative capital, no-one would give a feck for what the constitution said.

**hamish** · 22/03/2006, 4:11 PM

Athlone is growing like crazy - brother in law told me that there's about400,000 within an hours drive of the town and maybe there's potenial for a really big club in LOI eventually. It'll probably get city status in the future but I'd hate if they changed the name to Athlone City FC.

**dcfcsteve** · 22/03/2006, 8:20 PM

Originally Posted by sirhamish

Athlone is growing like crazy - brother in law told me that there's about400,000 within an hours drive of the town and maybe there's potenial for a really big club in LOI eventually. It'll probably get city status in the future but I'd hate if they changed the name to Athlone City FC.

It's teed-up for city status as a regional centre in the spatial plan - along with Sligo.

I think Letterkenny is highlighted as a regional centre as well (though not a future city) - which is a bad daft in an all-Ireland context, given that the 4th largest city on the island is on it's doorstep.

And I still think Finn Harps are daft not to move to Leitir Ceannainn

**hamish** · 22/03/2006, 9:13 PM

Originally Posted by dcfcsteve

It's teed-up for city status as a regional centre in the spatial plan - along with Sligo.

That's right - Beeslow is really a dormitory town for it now.

**dcfcsteve** · 22/03/2006, 11:40 PM

Originally Posted by sirhamish

That's right - Beeslow is really a dormitory town for it now.

Which direction is it primarily growing-in though ? Is it becomning more Roscommon & Connacht-ish, or Westmeath and dirty Leinster-ish....?

I'd guess more to the east - i.e. towards Dublin.

**hamish** · 28/03/2006, 1:46 AM

Originally Posted by dcfcsteve

Which direction is it primarily growing-in though ? Is it becomning more Roscommon & Connacht-ish, or Westmeath and dirty Leinster-ish....?

I'd guess more to the east - i.e. towards Dublin.

It's growing in every direction Steve - massive new housing estates in the Roscommon side (Bealnamulla area f.e.) though but I think every other scrap of land in the area is being gobbled up for housing - Athlone lads would have a clearer idea.