 42.68% of the population of County Tipperary are Irish speakers in and there are 979 children who attend the five Gaelscoileanna (Irish language primary schools) and two Gaelcholáistí (Irish language secondary schools).The area around Clonmel is the economic hub of the county, due to manufacturing facilities owned by Bulmers (brewers) and Merck & Co. (pharmaceuticals) east of the town.There is much fertile land, especially in the region known as the Golden Vale, one of the richest agricultural areas in Ireland.