Lifestyle of less time is threatening the spirit of rural community effort

CHANGING lifestyles and a weakening of neighbourhood spirit in rural areas are threatening the voluntary contribution which so many thousands have given unselfishly to their local communities over many decades.

A great treasure of life in rural Ireland is in danger of being lost, because of the change in the pace of living, and greater more demands on the time of rural dwellers.

It would be impossible to measure in monetary terms the contribution of voluntary effort in rural Ireland over the decades. It would have cost hundreds of millions of euros annually to replace the volunteers who organised the local agricultural shows, the parish festivals and celebrations, and the community-run projects which have enhanced local areas.