South-East Region, Ireland facts for kids

Quick facts for kids South-East
The South-East region of Ireland with each constituent county highlighted.
Country	Republic of Ireland
Region	Southern
Population	456,228

The South-East is a special planning area in the Southern Region of Ireland. It includes the counties of Carlow, Kilkenny, and Wexford. It also includes the city and county of Waterford. This area covers 7,198 square kilometers. That's about 10.2% of Ireland's total land. In 2022, about 456,228 people lived here.

Discovering the South-East: History and Nature

The South-East of Ireland has a very interesting past. Important towns like Waterford and Wexford were first started by Vikings. Kilkenny city grew from a Norman merchant town. This means the area has lots of old stories and buildings.

Amazing Landscapes and Sunny Skies

The South-East is famous for its beautiful nature. It has some of Europe's longest beaches. You can also find several mountain ranges here. These include the Comeraghs, the Blackstairs, and the Galtees. Big rivers like the Nore, Suir, and Barrow flow through the region. It's also known as the "Sunny South East" because it gets more sunshine than other parts of Ireland!

Learning and Innovation in the South-East

Many students come to the South-East for their education. Over 16,000 students attend the South East Technological University. This university has campuses in Waterford and Carlow. The region is also home to big companies. These include Glanbia, Bausch and Lomb, Red Hat, and Zurich. Cartoon Saloon, a famous animation studio, is also here.

Fun Festivals and Great Transport

People in the South-East enjoy a high quality of life. The area is known for its many festivals. These include the Wexford Opera Festival and the Kilkenny Arts Festival. The Spraoi festival is also very popular. Getting around the region is easy. It has two international ports, including Rosslare Europort. There's also Waterford Airport and a modern motorway network. It's also close to Dublin, the capital city.

Economy: Growing Opportunities in the South-East

The South-East region has been growing steadily. It has strong industries like engineering and life sciences. Financial services, technology, and food production are also important. The creative arts sector is also doing well. This means lots of different job opportunities.

A Place for Business and Tourism

The South-East is a great place for businesses and careers. Many new jobs and investments are happening here. Big projects are also underway to improve the area. It's also a good place for tourism. The region has many natural and historic sites. These places attract over 1 million visitors every year.

Economic Facts and Figures

In 2017, the total value of goods and services produced in the region was €15,513 million. The average income per person was about 90.5% of the national average. In 2019, the unemployment rate was 8.1%. This shows a healthy and active economy.

Demography: Who Lives in the South-East?

In 2022, the South-East had a population of 456,228 people. This is about 8.90% of Ireland's total population. There are about 58.6 people living in each square kilometer. The largest city in the region is Waterford. Its population is 53,504.

Towns and Cities in the Region

The South-East has several large towns and cities. Many of them have populations over 17,000. These towns are spread out evenly across the region. There are also many smaller towns and villages. This mix creates a strong community feeling.

Major Settlements: Top Towns in the South-East

Here is a list of the ten largest towns and cities in the South-East region. The county capitals are shown in bold.

Regional Governance: How the South-East is Managed

The South-East region is managed by local councils. These councils have elected representatives. They meet at the Southern Regional Assembly. This assembly helps with planning and local government decisions.

Local Councils in the South-East

There are four main local councils in the South-East Region:

• Carlow County Council
• Kilkenny County Council
• Waterford City and County Council
• Wexford County Council

These councils work together to make important decisions for the region. They help manage services and plan for the future.