1. The functions of nucleated settlements
Nucleated settlements can be classified according to their functions.
A village is a settlement that provides only a limited number of services
A town provides a wider range of services than a village.

2. Specific functions Market town: Local people shop in these towns
There are fairs or co-operative marts
Most market towns are surrounded by fertile farmland.
Example: Carrick-on-Shannon

3. Defence:
Medieval towns developed beside castles for protection.
Example: Athlone

4. Ecclesiastical:
Ecclesiastical settlements provide for people’s religious needs.
Towns developed beside old monasteries, abbeys or friaries
Example: Celbridge

5. Resource:
Towns developed largely as a result of natural resources, eg. Coal, turf
Example: Arigna

6. Port towns:
Ports are built in sheltered harbours or estuaries of rivers on which ships can travel.
Example: Limerick

7. Residential
All towns are residential especially dormitory towns who provide housing for people working in nearby cities.
Example: Lucan

8. Recreational:
Holiday resorts which include facilities like fishing, camping, golfing, etc…
Example: Trabolgan, Co. Cork

9. Case Study: Limerick City
A multifunctional settlement

10. Limerick
Limerick is the largest settlement on the River Shannon.

11. Defence Settlement
Limerick’s defence settlement began when the Vikings built a fortified settlement on King John’s Island. The Norman’s later built King John’s castle and built walls around the medieval city.

12. Market Function
Limerick provides a market centre for the produce of the surrounding fertile farmland.
Now it has lots of shopping centres to serve people from its hinterland.
Limerick city is at the lowest bridging point on the R. Shannon making it a nodal point as many important roads converge here.

13. Recreational Function
Limerick has many cultural attractions such as King John’s castle and the Bell Table Theatre.
Followers of sport flock to see hurling, Gaelic football and rugby matches at the Gaelic grounds and Thomon park.
Tens of thousands of Irish people and more than half a million overseas tourists visit Limerick City & county each year.

14. Case Study: Cologne
On the R. Rhine

15. Cologne
Cologne is one of the most important cities in Germany

16. 1) Market centre
Cologne is a market centre for the surrounding fertile floodplain of the Rhine.
International trade fairs attract people from all over the world.
The city is a nodal point as many route ways meet here to cross the R. Rhine.

17. 2) Port function Cologne is one of Europe’s busiest ports.
It is an important transhipment centre
Some manufacturing industries like ship building are related to the port.

18. 3) Recreational function
It is a beautiful city with Germany’s largest historic city centre.
It is an important centre for the Rhine river cruises
Lots of tourists facilities have been created throughout the city such as café’s, art galleries, etc.