Ratoath () is a commuter town in County Meath, Ireland. A branch of the Broad Meadow Water (Broadmeadow River) () flows through the town. The R125 and R155 roads meet in the village. At the 2022 census, there were 10,007 people living in Ratoath, making it the fourth largest urban area in Meath.
Ratoath is a commuter town with most of its adult population commuting to Dublin to work. More than three-quarters of the population travel to work by car. In 2011, 10.9% of the workforce was unemployed compared to the national average of 19%. As of 2011, social class A, employers and managers constituted 717 of the 2,751 households.
In April 2011, Ratoath had a population of 9,043, consisting of 4,520 males and 4,523 females. The population of pre-school age (0–4) was 1,158, of primary school age (5–12) was 1,582 and of secondary school age (13–18) was 724. There were 313 persons aged 65 years and over. The number of persons aged 18 years or over was 5,677. Non-Irish nationals accounted for 9.7 per cent of the population of Ratoath in 2011 compared with a national average figure of 12.0 per cent. UK nationals (168 persons) were the largest group, followed by Lithuanians (120 persons). the school eventually moved to its permanent location in Jamestown in 2007. The building received an extension in 2021.
In 2010, a gaelscoil was opened in Ratoath despite not receiving official recognition by the Department of Education. The following year, it was announced that Gaelscoil Ráth Tó would close, and would merge with a newly established gaelscoil in the neighbouring town of Ashbourne. This new school would be named Gaelscoil na Mí. As of 2022, the site of the former gaelscoil is now a physiotherapy clinic.
Amenities
While Ratoath has several shops on its main street, including a supermarket, two pubs and several restaurants, the growth in the population of Ratoath as a commuter town has not been matched by the development of amenities.
As of 2022, Ratoath is the largest town in the Republic of Ireland without a Garda station.
Sport
thumb|Sean Eiffe Park, the [[Ratoath GAA grounds]]
Just outside the town is the horse racing track Fairyhouse Racecourse, where the Irish Grand National is held. Ratoath has a long history of horse racing, with many jockeys coming from the area.
In 2016, for the first time in their history, Ratoath GAA hurlers got into a Leinster final after they defeated Rosenallis. The club comprises approximately 50 teams across all codes/age groups, which play in the Meath/Leinster Senior Men's Football & Hurling and Ladies' Senior Camogie and Intermediate Football championships.
Ratoath GAA have won the Meath Senior Football Championship three times (2019, 2020, 2022) after first joining the senior ranks in 2016.
Notable people
- Jonathan Browne, racing driver
See also
- Barony of Ratoath
- Ratoath (Parliament of Ireland constituency)
- List of towns and villages in Ireland