Changing Urban Functions
Drogheda, Co. Louth
Functions
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Res/ Rel/ Rec
Industrial
Commercial
Educational
Port
Open spaces
Transport/ tourism
Service
Examples of Urban Functions
visible on maps/ photos
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Recreational; pools,
parks, golf courses,
marinas.
Commercial;
shopping centres,
shop fronts, market
squares.
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Ports; cranes,
containers, large
ships, marinas.
Services; hospitals,
garda stations,
government offices.
Open spaces; car
parks, playing fields,
river/ mountain walks.
Drogheda’s Functions
 Multifunctional
Transport
 Residential
 Industrial
 Retail
 Port
 Religious
 Educational
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History
In the past Drogheda had an important
defence function.
 Port was the most important function in the
past.
 It was the basis of Drogheda’s industrial
function.
 Industries included ironworks,
shipbuilding, shoe-makers, oil and cake
mills, textiles.
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History
World famous textile industry.
 Yarn and linen mills.
 Raw cotton imported, then spun and
bleached in Drogheda.
 Mills had closed by the early 20th century.
 However world famous Greenhills towel
and sheet factory remained opened.
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Brannigans Weavers
1970’s and 1980’s
Decline in industry
 Industries had become uncompetitive on
the world market.
 High unemployment
 Derelict, rundown factories, were a blight
on the landscape.
 Some were demolished and sites used as
carparks.
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1990’s onwards
Celtic Tiger
 National investment policies
 EU grants
 Development of transport infrastructure;
(trains, roads, bypasses,Boyne river
bridge)
 Commuter town
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Boyne River Bridge
1990’s
Large industry; Becton Dickinson (medical
syringes)
 Many industries; Flogas, Natures Best,
Boyne Valley Foods.
 Derelict industrial sites redeveloped into
apartments, hotels, conference centre and
two new shopping centres.
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Tourism
Tourism function is important to the area.
 Good transport links and accommodation.
 Many attractions;
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 Newgrange
 The
Battle of the Boyne site
 Monasterboice High Crosses and Tower
Changing Functions
Defence is a past function.
 Importance of the port function has
declined.
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Exam Question
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Explain how the functions and services of
urban centres can change over time. (30
marks)