Changing Distribution of Ireland’s Population 1996

This paper examines the distribution of Ireland’s population and how it has changed over the past decade. Using preliminary Census of Population results from 2006 the analysis focuses on assessing trends in urban and rural settlement patterns. Two approaches are adopted in defining rural areas and their populations. The first is based on an official classification of electoral divisions as either Urban Districts or Rural Areas whilst the second is statistically derived. Spatial analysis focuses on exploring differences between these categorisations before changes in population distribution between 1996 – 2006 are examined. The issue of population decline is then considered with reference to urban and rural areas. In conclusion, an overall assessment of settlement trends is provided and future research outlined