Bettystown, previously known as Betaghstown transliterated to Beattystown/Bettystown, is a small village in an area known as East Meath within County Meath, Ireland. Together with the neighbouring villages of Laytown and Mornington it comprises the census town of Laytown-Bettystown-Mornington with a combined population of 10,889 at the 2011 Census and 11,872 at the 2016 Census. During the Celtic Tiger, with increasing property prices in Dublin, Bettystown expanded to cater for large numbers of commuters to Dublin. The area was well known before that as a spot for Dublin summer holiday visitors, with a number of caravan parks and seaside amusements. In 2007, it was announced that in revisions to Dáil Constituency boundaries for 2012, Bettystown and Laytown as far as the River Nanny would be ceded from the three-seat constituency of Meath East to the five-seat constituency of Louth.
Transport
The Dublin and Drogheda Railway line opened on 25 May 1844 with a station at Bettystown. However, this station was to close soon after in November 1847 and since then the village has been served by Laytown railway station also opened on the Dublin and Drogheda Railway line on 25 May 1844. Bus Éireann route D1 provides service between Laytown and Drogheda via Bettystown.
Education
There are two primary schools in Laytown/Bettystown which follow a Catholic ethos. They are Scoil Oilibhéir Naofa and Scoil an Spioraid Naomh Senior School. There are also two multi-denominational schools outside the town that service East Meath and South Drogheda. They are Le Cheile Educate Together National School and Gaelscoil an Bhradain Feasa. Le Cheile Educate Together National School is sited on grounds provided by another South Drogheda school, Drogheda Grammar. A secondary school, Coláiste na hInse, was built in Laytown in 2008.
Recreation
Leisure facilities in the Bettystown area include Funtasia, an amusement park, a tennis club and a golf course. Funtasia is an indoor family fun center, with bowling, pool and 'fairground' rides. Laytown & Bettystown Golf Club celebrated 100 years in 2009. Several club members have been capped for Ireland. Ireland held the European Land Sailing championships in September 2017 on Bettystown beach. Over 100 European sailors competed over this 5 day period of competitions. Bettystown beach has been host to the annual National Sandcastle and Sand Sculpturing competition in Ireland since 2003.
