Urban settlement in Ireland today Learning Intentions
In this section, you will learn: zz about the functions of urban settlements zz that the function of an urban settlement can change over time
zz how to identify functions of urban settlements on OS maps and aerial photographs.
Function Market
Defence Resource
Ecclesiastical Residential
Multi-functional
Most Irish people today live in urban areas. If we look around our towns and cities, we can find evidence of what attracted people to live there in the past and evidence of what attracts people to live there today.
The functions of urban settlements
Urban settlements (towns and cities) can have various functions. A function of a settlement is the service it provides. As a settlement grows and develops over time, the functions of a settlement can also change depending on the needs of the people living there.
The historical functions that towns had are not as important today. For example, the castle in Kilkenny no longer has a defensive function but it is a tourist attraction. The monasteries around which a town was once built may still exist, but the town itself now has many other functions.
