Paddy Malone PRO Dundalk Chamber presented to Louth County Council, outlining a clear vision for the county’s future as a central driver of economic growth within the Dublin–Belfast Economic Corridor (DBEC). Hubert Murphy CEO Drogheda Chamber and Michael Savage CEO Newry also presented.
The Chamber’s message was unequivocal: Louth is not the periphery of the 26 Counties — it is at the heart of one of the most dynamic economic regions on the island of Ireland. DBEC Dublin Belfast Economic Corridor.
Located at the centre of the DBEC and served by the M1 Corridor, County Louth enjoys unparalleled connectivity. Almost 40% of the island’s population — approximately 2.9 million people — live within one hour of Dundalk and Drogheda, creating a market concentration greater than that of Dublin itself.
Building on Two Decades of Strategic Advocacy
Dundalk Chamber highlighted its long-standing efforts to position the region for growth.
In 2002, Dundalk was designated as a Gateway Town under the National Spatial Strategy. Although this designation was removed in 2014, the Chamber successfully championed a new strategic vision that recognised Dundalk, Drogheda and Newry as a single interconnected urban region — effectively Ireland’s “sixth city.”
This collaboration, supported by the three Chambers and LEO , led to the creation of the regional marketing platform M1Corridor.ie, which continues to promote the area as a premier investment location.
In 2025, the Chambers of Dundalk, Drogheda and Newry jointly lobbied during the review of the National Development Plan and Project Ireland 2040, securing the continued recognition of the region as a national growth priority. As a result, the area is no longer constrained by policy designations, but only by the pace of infrastructure delivery.
Living City Status and Competitive Advantage
Since 2003, Dundalk Chamber has consistently advocated for targeted tax incentives to support urban regeneration and economic competitiveness.
The McArdle Report, commissioned jointly by Louth County Council, Dundalk Chamber and its counterpart in Newry under the auspices of the cross-border Memorandum of Understanding, together with a report from the Department of the Environment, confirmed that Dundalk was the poorest of Ireland’s seven designated gateway towns.
When a draft National Development Plan proposed removing the area from priority status, coordinated lobbying by Dundalk Chamber and Louth County Council helped secure formal recognition of Drogheda Dundalk and Newry as a single strategic growth centre.
Since the publication of the National Development Plan in 2017, the Chamber has argued that all designated growth centres should benefit from Living City supports — a position adopted by Chambers Ireland in 2018.
That advocacy culminated in a major achievement in Budget 2025, when both Dundalk and Drogheda were granted Living City Initiative status, unlocking significant incentives for residential and commercial redevelopment in both town centres.
Dundalk University Campus and Queen’s Partnership a “Game Changer”
One of the most significant developments for the region is the establishment of the Dundalk University Campus and its strategic collaboration between Dundalk Institute of Technology and Queen’s University Belfast.
Described by Paddy Malone Chamber PRO and a Governor (Director) of DkITas a “game changer,” this initiative has the potential to transform the region’s higher education offering, strengthen research capacity, and enhance Louth’s attractiveness as a location for investment and innovation.
Priorities for the Future
Dundalk Chamber called for a renewed focus on collaboration and strategic investment to maximise the opportunities now available to the county.
- Infrastructure Investment
Urgent investment is needed in:
- Water and wastewater capacity
- Public transport and road connectivity across the county and within town boundaries
- The Northern Cross Route in Drogheda
- A second railway station in Drogheda
- Living City Implementation
Close cooperation between Louth County Council, Dundalk and Drogheda Chambers, developers and property owners is essential to fully realise the regeneration potential of Living City status.
- Enhanced Cross-Border Cooperation
The Chamber called for greater use of the Memorandum of Understanding with Newry, Mourne and Down District Council, including the re-establishment of a Strategic Policy Committee to address cross-border economic issues, work with InterTradeIreland, and tackle post-Brexit challenges and opportunities.
A Shared Vision for Louth
Dundalk Chamber reaffirmed that neither Dundalk nor Drogheda can achieve their full potential in isolation. Working together — and in partnership with Newry — the region has the scale, connectivity and ambition to become one of the most significant economic centres on the island.
“The M1 Corridor is the centre of the Dublin–Belfast Economic Corridor and one of the most strategically important locations in Ireland. With Living City status, the Dundalk University Campus, and strengthened cross-border collaboration, Louth has an unprecedented opportunity to lead the next phase of all-island economic development.”
