Drogheda

The recently restored 18th-century Millmount monument stands proudly as an introduction to this historic town. Straddling the northern and southern shores of the River Boyne, Drogheda is experiencing growth mainly in the housing sector. Approximately an hour from Dublin by car, or half-an-hour by fast train, it is a very attractive option for those pushed out of the capital by exorbitant house prices.

Commercially, Drogheda has not yet exploited all its options and the shopping streets in the town centre remain a little tatty. A planned new shopping centre to be built on the former Drogheda Grammar School site on Laurence Street has been delayed yet again - this time by an archaeological dig. Peter McCluskey, a director of Boyne Valley Foods, believes Drogheda is not experiencing balanced development. "There is huge growth in commuter living yet there is no significant corresponding evidence of Government support for industrial development. And there is a lack of serviced land available for industrial development," he says.

The IDA has recently purchased a 50acre site, to the west of the town between the new motorway and the Donore industrial estate, to address some of the industrial needs of the town. A private developer is also in the process of developing the Boyne Business Park as a high-tech information park, adjacent to Drogheda Port.

Drogheda's new sewage treatment works and drainage system has improved the quality of the Boyne river, offering more potential for both civic and housing developments on its shores. Some attractive apartment developments have already been built in this docklands area but there is need for some retail or cafe/bar venues to give the area some atmosphere. There is also a new bridge over the Boyne under construction, as well as a much needed multi-storey car-park.

Seaside towns close to Drogheda, such as Bettystown and Laytown, are currently experiencing phenomenal apartment and housing developments. Work on the new M1 motorway, which will bypass Drogheda, is due to start this year.