Blessington

Blessington is located on the Kildare/Wicklow border approximately 27km southwest of Dublin and 11km from Naas, Co. Kildare. The town is strategically located along the N81, a national secondary road that passes directly through the town centre. It is served by a quality bus service including Dublin Bus and Bus Éireann services. The population is targeted to increase from 4,780 to 7,500 in 2028.

Blessington is regarded as a highly desirable place to live with many fine shops restaurants and pubs. This town and beautiful rural area enjoys a number of natural resources such as the Wicklow Mountains and the Blessington Lakes. Tulfarris Golf Club offers a challenging golf course and Russborough House ranks as one of the top visitor attractions.

Commercial Activity

The recently constructed Blessington New Town Centre is located in the heart of the town fronting the existing market square. This exciting commercial and residential development comprises residential, commercial and shopping, including leading retailer Dunnes Stores. The new primary care centre displays confidence in the viability of Blessington as a location to do business, while the Avon Ri Hotel offers accommodation, leisure and recreation facilities.

In November 2017, Blessington was crowned Leinster’s Most Enterprising Town in the 3,000 to 7,0000 Population Category by the Bank of Ireland National Enterprising Town Awards, which is testament to the strong leadership shown by the business and community representatives and the Municipal District Council.

Key assets for economic development and employment

• A large hinterland population offering a market for goods and services and a wide variety of skills
• A vibrant and attractive and accessible town centre with numerous properties suitable for retail and commercial uses
• The availability of zoned land owned by Wicklow County Council at Burgage as well as the availability of zoned and serviced land in private ownership
• Location on the N81 and close proximity to Dublin
• Strong and vibrant retail sector and active town forum and business community
• A quality of life that can only be described as unique

Baltinglass

Baltinglass is located on the western fringes of the Wicklow Mountains, in west Co. Wicklow, near the Kildare and Carlow borders, approximately 30km south of Blessington on the N81 Dublin-Tullow Road. It is also traversed by the R747 from Arklow to Kildare. It is considered a desirable place to live, with fine shops, restaurants, pubs and a hotel. Baltinglass Golf Club offers a magnificent 18 hole golf course with panoramic view of West Wicklow. The area is rich in archaeology and medieval history with visitor and heritage centre. The town has grown considerably in recent years to a population of some 2,500 people.

Key assets for economic development and employment

• A large hinterland population offering a market for goods and services and a wide variety of skills
• A attractive and accessible town centre with numerous properties suitable for retail and commercial uses
• Proximity to the N81 and linkages to the N9/M9 and the primary dynamic cluster of Naas/Newbridge/Kilcullen
• The established agriculture sector and agri business
• The availability of local authority lands at Whitehall earmarked for employment and enterprise

Dunlavin

Dunlavin is located in West Wicklow, almost equidistant between the larger settlements of Blessington and Baltinglass, which are c. 18 miles north and south of the town respectively. The N81 is 5kms to the east of the town and the N9 some 4kms to the west. The N81 serves West Wicklow and connects to Dublin while the N9 is the main Carlow/Kilkenny Road and connects to Naas, 6.2kms from the M9 at Kilcullen. The town is located relatively close to Dublin and is within easy reach of numerous large towns in Counties Wicklow and Kildare.

The town centre is characterised by exceptionally wide streets forming an expansive T junction and is served locally by a number of shops, pubs and restaurants. Golf is available at Rathsallagh offering panoramic views of the Wicklow Mountains and outdoor activities including hillwalking and shooting. At the outskirts of the town there are a number of well-established enterprise units, which comprise a number of thriving business.

Key assets for economic development and employment

• A large hinterland population offering a market for goods and services and a wide variety of skills
• A attractive and accessible town centre with numerous properties suitable for retail and commercial uses
• A strong agriculture sector
• The natural and built assets and the strategic location to become a major tourism hub in the west of the county.
• The availability of local authority lands at Dunlavin earmarked for employment and enterprise and the recently constructed modern waste water treatment plant
• Accessibility to National Primary (M/N9) and National Secondary (N81) road networks.

Tinahely

Tinahely is located in the southern hills of Co. Wicklow approximately 40km east of Carlow and 24km west of Arklow on the R747 which is the main link from Arklow on the east coast to the N9 via Baltinglass. It is approximately 112km from Dublin Airport.

Tinahely is a beautiful town and its setting between three hills provides it with an exceptional visual quality. Riverside Business Centre is located at the entrance to the town and provide enterprise units and space. Kerry Foods is located nearby in Shillelagh and provides employment to approximately 1,000 people. It has an important cluster of commercial and public service infrastructure that services both the town and the rural hinterland.

Key assets for economic development and employment

• A large hinterland population offering a market for goods and services and a wide variety of skills
• A strong agriculture sector
• The availability of local authority lands earmarked for employment and enterprise
• The potential for the town to develop as a key tourist destination
• Location of a key cross-county regional road from Arklow to the south and west of the county (R747), which may form part of a future 'Leinster Outer' orbital route).

Carnew

Carnew is a market town situated in the south of Co. Wicklow on the R725 Carlow to Gorey Road. Due to its location at the juncture of three counties the town has strong socio-economic and cultural links with the adjoining counties of Wexford and Carlow. There are a number of electronics firms and specialist engineering industries operating in the area. The town is situated at the juncture of three regional roads: namely the R725, which runs from Gorey through Carnew and onwards to Carlow/South Kildare; the R748 running north to Tinahely where it merges with the R747 that leads onto Arklow; and the R725 to Carlow.

Key assets for economic development and employment

• A large hinterland population offering a market for goods and services and a wide variety of skills
• A attractive and accessible town centre with numerous properties suitable for retail and commercial uses
• Existing walking routes and the proximity of the town to Tinahely/Shillelagh and potential walking tourism connectivity