The Mid-West Region of Clare, Limerick and North Tipperary is one of eight statutory regions comprising of about 10% of the national land area and population of the country. The Region faces the Atlantic Sea Board with considerable maritime influences; the Shannon passes through the Mid-West forming a distinctive corridor and unifying force in the character of the area.  Much of the rural areas are grown in pasturelands with uplands particularly around the fringes of the Region.

The Mid-West Region is a relatively diverse entity, encompassing areas of strong urban growth particularly the Limerick/Ennis/Shannon triangle, including the regional capital of Limerick City, Shannon Airport, Ennis Information Age Town and third-level education institutions in Limerick and Thurles.

 

 

However the region also contains a number of rural areas with significant population loss and decline, such as the West Clare seaboard and parts of West Limerick. This internal diversity militates against a strong sense of regional consciousness. In addition, several parts of the region display a significant orientation outside the area, and often look to other centres elsewhere. For example, parts of North Tipperary would tend to look eastwards rather than towards the hub of the Shannon Region.

 

In 2006 the region was home to 360,651 people, 8.62 per cent of the national population. Close to half the regional population live in Limerick City and County. The current population level represents an increase of 6.20% on the 2002 level, compared to a 7.10% increase in the 1996/2002 period. This reflects the continued improved economic performance of the region, which has provided increasing job opportunities and thus reduced out-migration as well as encouraging return migration. Though the Region is mainly rural, in recent years it has had a continued decline in agricultural employment. Industry has shown considerable growth, with an equivalent increase in services employment.

 

Industry in the region is centred on the urban core of Limerick, Ennis and Shannon Town where the industrial base is dominated by light industry such as electronics, instruments, metals and engineering. Food processing is particularly important in North Tipperary, where pharmaceuticals and healthcare also have a presence.

 

The region has a number of features that are attractive to industry, including the Shannon Industrial Estate, the Shannon Free Trade Zone, Limerick University, and the National Technological Park located at Plassey, beside the University. Shannon Airport is a major gateway for the western seaboard with terminal traffic of over 3.5 million passengers annually. The deep water of the Shannon Estuary rivals Dublin and Cork with over 8 million tonnes of cargo annually. Limerick is a vibrant, modern city and, combined with the rural hinterland, the region offers an excellent quality of life.

 

The attractiveness of the Mid-West as a location for industry is demonstrated by the large number of foreign-owned plants that have been established in the region. Indeed, employment resulting from foreign direct investment now accounts for more than half the regions total manufacturing base.

 

Counties:

County Clare:

 

The population of this area was 110,800 in 2006. This accounts for 30.72 percent of the total regional population. Between 2002 and 2006 the county had a growth rate of 7.28 per cent. There are four distinct growth centres in the county namely the

Ennis-Shannon area; the Western Coastal area; the Lough Derg area; and the South East of the county an in particular areas bordering Limerick.

 

North Tipperary:

 

The population of this area was 65,988 in 2006, which is 18.30 per cent of the regional population. The population of the county increased by 8.16 per cent between 2002 and 2006. The four main towns are Nenagh (7,429), Thurles (7,174), Roscrea and Templemore.

 

County Limerick:

 

The population of this area was 131,303 in 2006. This is over a third of the population in the region (36.41 per cent). Apart from the environs of Limerick City, County Limerick is predominantly rural. The principle towns are Newcastle West and Abbeyfeale.

 

City of Limerick:

 

The population of the city of Limerick accounts for 52,560 inhabitants. Between 1991 and 1996 the population of Limerick City fell slightly from 52,083 to 52,040.  It increased to 54,023 persons in 2002 but decreased again in 2006 to 52,560.