Bettystown Co Meath is ideally situated for both Dublin and Belfast

A stunning shoreline and proximity to Dublin means that Bettystown is a well-connected and thriving commuter town. Its population has almost doubled since the start of the century and now clocks in at around 12,000. Located just 50km from Dublin, and a 14-minute drive from Drogheda, it takes in the neighbouring areas of Mornington and Laytown too.

Why move to Bettystown?

As commuter towns go, Bettystown has a lot going for it; the town, once a seaside resort for Dubliners not yet accustomed to summers in the Algarve, boasts a golden strand in Bettystown beach, as well as a host of amenities.

“I wouldn't live anywhere else,” says Ciara Monaghan, a beauty and skin therapist with Biofresh Skincare. “I absolutely just love the place. I love that we have a beach – it's so calming, just beautiful.”

To complement Bettystown’s population increase have come new housing developments and transport links. It's now as well served as many Dublin suburbs and, thanks to city traffic, has a shorter journey time to boot.

“It has nice little shops and coffee shops, too,” says Monaghan. “And there's a gym – I'd do group classes, and in the summertime they'd be down on the beach. The beach definitely comes in handy!”

As well as a variety of independent shops – newsagents, butchers and florists do a fine trade – there's also a Tesco Superstore, a Dunnes Stores in the nearby Southgate Shopping Centre and, in nearby Drogheda, Scotch Hall Shopping Centre, with a range of shops from the UK high street.

How do I get there?

Head straight up the M1, a trip that will take you 35-55 minutes, depending on traffic, according to Google Maps. For those looking to make Bettystown their commuter town of choice, the public transport options are good: the train station at Laytown offers service to Connolly Station. “For anyone thinking of moving from Dublin, you have a lot of bus services and routes to choose from,” confirms Monaghan. There's a Matthews coach that leaves hourly and there are also two buses, the D1 and the D2, leaving every 15 minutes for Drogheda, via Mornington.

Live and learn

In terms of primary schools, Scoil Oilibhéir Naofa in Bettystown and Scoil an Spioráid Naoimh in Laytown cater to children from infants' to sixth class. Gaelscoil an Bhradáin Feasa is on the Mill Rd, just outside of Drogheda, while Le Cheile Educate Together National School is also close to Drogheda in Stameen.

Secondary schools in the area include Coláiste na hInse in Bettystown, and Laytown and Drogheda Educate Together Secondary School in Mornington.

Where's good to live?

New developments in the area include Seoid na Trá, with 65 three- and four-bedroom houses; while Whitefield Hall will have 205 houses, from two to four bedrooms.

There's a large selection of established apartment blocks with one- and two-bedroom options, and you'll also find more established properties in housing developments throughout the town and its environs. As Bettystown has grown, it has attracted both young commuters and those with families, looking for somewhere with good transport links and a solid family vibe, resulting in a wide variety of choice.

The great outdoors

The true draw of the area would have to be its natural splendour – not just the beach, but the many local walking trails and forested areas. “There are so many nice walks,” says Monaghan.

A little further up the beach towards Mornington, “there's a little area called the boat yard – there are houses, but they're very spread out,” says Monaghan. “It's a nice, quiet area, really peaceful. You walk down a little lane towards a little pier, where the big ships come through. It's a really nice place to go for a walk.”

There are such lovely shops, beautiful walks ... I absolutely love it here

Of course, all of that fresh air stirs up an appetite – and where better to sit outside and sip a coffee than by the beach?

“My favourite spots to go for a coffee would be Relish or BTs,” says Monaghan, speaking of Bistro BT, a local institution. “BTs is right on the beach, so I probably go there more than Relish, but they're both really nice,” she says. “You can sit outside Relish and look right onto the beach – and BTs has an open area on to the beach, too. It's so nice.”

On a Sunday, Monaghan says, her favourite thing to do is – you guessed it – go to the beach. “There's a new ice-cream shop called Ellie's,” she says, “or I'd get a coffee. There are such lovely shops, beautiful walks … and you can jump on a bus any time and go to Drogheda or Dublin. I absolutely love it here.”

Making a move

If you're interested in buying in Bettystown, contact Trina Coyle at Trina.Coyle@boi.com or on 087 601 9340, or visit bankofireland.com/mortgages

The lender is Bank of Ireland Mortgages. Lending criteria and terms and conditions apply. Over 18s only. Mortgage approval is subject to assessment of suitability and affordability. A typical mortgage to buy your home of €100,000 over 20 years with 240 monthly instalments costs €615.79 per month at 4.2% variable (Annual Percentage Rate of Charge (APRC) 4.3%). APRC includes €150 valuation fee and mortgage charge of €175 paid to the Property Registration Authority. The total amount you pay is €148,114.60. We require property and life insurance. You mortgage your home to secure the loan. Maximum loan is generally 3.5 times gross annual income and 80% of the property value (90% of the property value for first-time buyers). A 1% interest rate rise would increase monthly repayments by €54.02 per month. The cost of your monthly repayments may increase – if you do not keep up your repayments you may lose your home.

WARNING: If you do not keep up your repayments you may lose your home.

WARNING: If you do not meet the repayments on your loan, your account will go into arrears. This may affect your credit rating, which may limit your ability to access credit in the future.

Bank of Ireland Mortgage Bank trading as Bank of Ireland Mortgages is regulated by the Central Bank of Ireland.