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#Rural Affairs

A COMPREHENSIVE SERIES OF ARTICLES ON THIS TOPIC

<p> 17-year-old Aaleasha Sweeney from Co Sligo competing in the Under-40 horse category with her grandfather Colman Cogan. While the competition is still at the heart of the National Ploughing Championships, Anna May McHugh's vision was always for a bigger event. Picture: Larry Cummins</p>

spotlight

Anna May McHugh on how the National Ploughing Championships grew into a €14m rural showcase

From fashion shows and family days out to disappearing crafts, the National Ploughing Championships has become much more than a farming event

<p>Farmers encouraged to consider 'microdot' technology to make it easier to identify stolen vehicles.</p>

farming

TAMS grants can help with cost of some security measures

<p>National Transport Authority figures show that 65 new routes were introduced in 2023; 45 were rolled out in 2024, and 36 were introduced in 2025. Picture: TFI</p>

politics

Rural bus rollout slows to just four new routes in first six months of this year

Suzanne Harrington

Suzanne Harrington: Out-foxed by a sly thief who stole my leopard print slider

Abandoned

outdoors

Donal Hickey: Expand grant schemes to beat rural decline

Sinn Féin's Lynn Boylan: 'I don’t understand how anybody could watch a hare being chased'

politics

Sinn Féin's Lynn Boylan: 'I don’t understand how anybody could watch a hare being chased'

Average farm income rose 49% last year - Teagasc survey

Average farm income rose 49% last year - Teagasc survey

Cattle and dairy farming are main drivers of the continued recovery while costs only changed only marginally and, in some instances, fell

Mon, 06 Jul, 2026

Féile O’Sullivan: One year on, West Cork teenager is 'upbeat and all set to return to school'

Féile O’Sullivan: One year on, West Cork teenager is 'upbeat and all set to return to school'

On the first anniversary of the accident in which she lost both legs, Féile's already been active in wheelchair rugby, basketball, and boccia — and is now standing with a prosthetic leg

Thu, 02 Jul, 2026

replacing old tiles

One-off rural homes cannot be used as short-term rentals

Rural dwellers will not be able to use new homes for Airbnb-style lets, according to plans being brought to Cabinet today

Tue, 30 Jun, 2026

two engineers, a man and a woman in white helmets and green protective vests

Rural dwellers will be allowed build a second one-off home under new rules

Planning minister John Cummins described the approach as a 'fundamental shift' in rural housing

Mon, 29 Jun, 2026

Our pilgrim paths offer a massive tourism opportunity for rural Ireland

Our pilgrim paths offer a massive tourism opportunity for rural Ireland

We need to build awareness overseas of our Irish routes which long predate the Camino

Sat, 13 Jun, 2026

Waterford fire: Cabinet to discuss aid for firms affected by Old Jute Factory blaze

Waterford fire: Cabinet to discuss aid for firms affected by Old Jute Factory blaze

The enterprise minister will also visit firms and a charity affected by devastating blaze at the Tycor Business Centre in the city

Tue, 12 May, 2026

Irish pubs are dying: VFI chief calls for emergency government action

Irish pubs are dying: VFI chief calls for emergency government action

'A pub is more than just a business. It performs a vitally important public function as a hub of social and cultural life'

Tue, 12 May, 2026

Image Ref. No. 2005/017

Liam Quaide: Rural Ireland is not a costume to put on for political theatre

Rural Ireland is far more diverse and inclusive than the monolith portrayed by some who patronise us by claiming to represent it

Fri, 08 May, 2026

Mitchelstown, Kells, Tullow, Kilmallock: Towns facing different level of social crisis

S Mitchelstown, Kells, Tullow, Kilmallock: Towns facing different level of social crisis

Independent urban towns are in a different level of social crisis to the rest of the country — unemployment at 5.9%, the highest of any area type, 17% at risk of poverty, and 20% of their households reliant on social welfare

Thu, 30 Apr, 2026

Listowel, Bantry, Clifden, Kells: Ireland's small towns are 'in trouble'

S Listowel, Bantry, Clifden, Kells: Ireland's small towns are 'in trouble'

The latest research from the CSO passed without much notice, but it showed our 'independent' small towns are in big trouble, writes Listowel native Conor Keane

Thu, 30 Apr, 2026

Irish government cabinet meeting

Leo Varadkar previously warned against 'creating an artificial divide' between rural and urban Ireland

During a 2021 speech, made when he was tánaiste, he said he had always 'rejected attempts to create such a split

Wed, 22 Apr, 2026

'Sword of Damocles' hangs over North Cork village

'Sword of Damocles' hangs over North Cork village

Villages under threat because of a lack of critical water infrastructure, councillors claim

Fri, 27 Mar, 2026

Emma deSouza: So much more needs to be done to support rural resettlement

Emma deSouza: So much more needs to be done to support rural resettlement

It is a privilege to be a part of a rural community, but it's not without its challenges

Mon, 23 Feb, 2026

The Mick Clifford Podcast: How Iveragh is fighting back against rural depopulation

The Mick Clifford Podcast: How Iveragh is fighting back against rural depopulation

South Kerry leaders outline how the Iveragh peninsula is responding to rural decline and fears for GAA clubs

Listen | Fri, 13 Feb, 2026

Trillick v Crossmaglen Rangers - AIB Ulster GAA Football Senior Club Championship Quarter-Final

Irish Examiner view: South Kerry taskforce on population decline is a welcome initiative

Taskforce could become a template for all of rural Ireland, addressing a problem affecting communities up and down the country

Tue, 27 Jan, 2026

'We know that it is a viable business': Cork residents plan to buy last pub in village

'We know that it is a viable business': Cork residents plan to buy last pub in village

The village has a population of fewer than 100 people and the parish has approximately 400

Sat, 08 Nov, 2025

Irish Examiner view: Garda appointment is a welcome step to tackling rural crime

Irish Examiner view: Garda appointment is a welcome step to tackling rural crime

The appointment of Fermoy-based Superintendent Michael Corbett as An Garda Síochána's rural crime lead will help reassure communities that feel vulnerable

Thu, 16 Oct, 2025

Cork superintendent appointed as first-ever Rural Crime Lead

Cork superintendent appointed as first-ever Rural Crime Lead

Fermoy-based Supt Michael Corbett has identified farm machinery theft, illegal hunting, burglary, and drugs as some of the key areas he is looking to tackle.

Wed, 15 Oct, 2025

Energy storage system or battery container unit

Rural communities ‘deserve transparency’ on energy storage developments

Senator raises concerns about proposed battery energy storage system in Newmarket, Co Cork

Fri, 03 Oct, 2025

Country's first state-of-the-art wildlife rehab and training hospital planned for Co Meath

Country's first state-of-the-art wildlife rehab and training hospital planned for Co Meath

Specialist centre will be situated on four acres and will include a veterinary hospital dedicated to wildlife, and a teaching area for vets from across the country

Sun, 21 Sep, 2025

Something to celebrate: Kerry village buys the local pub rather than let it disappear

Something to celebrate: Kerry village buys the local pub rather than let it disappear

As one local man says: 'There would be nothing in the place if you didn’t have somewhere to meet. It is the centre of what is a very rural community'

Fri, 19 Sep, 2025

Close-up on school lunches at the cafeteria

'No new legislation' on hot school lunches, says food safety body

Suppliers have said that updated guidance has been delivered to suppliers by a division of the Department of Education

Fri, 05 Sep, 2025

Vanished without a trace: What happened to Kerry’s missing farmer Michael Gaine?

Vanished without a trace: What happened to Kerry’s missing farmer Michael Gaine?

As days pass and hope fades, a Kerry community struggles with heartbreak, suspicion, and the chilling silence of loss

Sun, 24 Aug, 2025

Inside Alcatraz Prison - Row of Bars and Cells

Cork Crime: People in County Cork have strong communities. All they need is local gardaí

Here we provide a station-by-station breakdown of Cork crime stats — and journalist Ann Murphy talks to gardaí, public representatives, and community activists about their concerns

Tue, 05 Aug, 2025

Two bar stools

Two pubs a week now closing in Ireland, one in three in Cork and Limerick gone since 2005

A new report shows a quarter of Irish pubs have shut since 2005, with rural areas worst affected

Mon, 14 Jul, 2025

Sinn Fein launch alternative health budget

Opposition give a guarded welcome to Taoiseach's pledge to restore local councils

'There’s no point restoring them if they don’t have powers and resources': Sinn Féin and Social Democrats respond to Micheál Martin's interview in the 'Irish Examiner'

Fri, 11 Jul, 2025

Achill island coastal scenery

Colin Sheridan: Better late than never for Achill’s broadband lifeline

State has finally delivered on the promise of reliable fast broadband connectivity

Fri, 11 Jul, 2025

Fox hunting

'Unprecedented': Two TDs will oppose first stage of fox hunt bill

The bill is being opposed by Danny Healy-Rae and Michael Collins, who said if hunting foxes was banned, the next thing is there would be people seeking to protect rats or mice

Tue, 27 May, 2025

Christina McHugh: As Storm Éowyn swept in, I prayed that the roof would remain on the house

Christina McHugh: As Storm Éowyn swept in, I prayed that the roof would remain on the house

We’re into day eight as I write this without power, and up to a few minutes ago, without water

Sat, 01 Feb, 2025

Donal Hickey: Remember the 'Big Freeze' of 1963? Jog your memory with these images

Donal Hickey: Remember the 'Big Freeze' of 1963? Jog your memory with these images

Blocked roads, frozen seas, school closures... and hard work and good neighbours

Thu, 16 Jan, 2025

Large scale peat excavation with machinery from a bog in County Tipperary which can be used for garden centre fertiliser Ireland

Election 2024: Seamus Boland — it all boils down to the economy and rural Ireland has been sidelined

CEO of Irish Rural Link tells the Irish Examiner what he feels needs to be done by the next government to address the challenges facing those who live and work in rural areas

Listen | Fri, 22 Nov, 2024

'My Message to the next Dáil' podcast: Seamus Boland on securing sustainable rural communities

'My Message to the next Dáil' podcast: Seamus Boland on securing sustainable rural communities

We also travelled to a local mart to gauge the opinions of people on this issue

Listen | Fri, 22 Nov, 2024

Election 2024: Rural Life — Few want to engage on election in Macroom

Election 2024: Rural Life — Few want to engage on election in Macroom

If the level of apathy in Macroom is anything to go by, the system better watch out. Mick Clifford asks locals what are the main election issues for them

Listen | Fri, 22 Nov, 2024

Boarded up shop

Much dereliction in our towns and villages, but also glimmers of hope

Would ‘derelict housing swat teams’, like those in operation in the US, help speed up the process of purchasing houses and other buildings left vacant by absentee, or disinterested, property owners?

Thu, 19 Sep, 2024

Derelict pub

More than 2,000 pubs shut down since the peak of the Celtic Tiger, report finds

The pub sector in rural areas has been more vulnerable to closures than those in urban locations

Wed, 28 Aug, 2024

Fine Gael eyes John Mullins as third candidate for Cork South Central seat

Fine Gael eyes John Mullins as third candidate for Cork South Central seat

It comes as speculation continues about the possible addition of businessman John Mullins as a third candidate on the Fine Gael ticket

Thu, 01 Aug, 2024

Green Party leader Eamon Ryan to step down

Paul Hosford: Are the Greens chasing voters that are unlikely to come back?

The party is, rightly or wrongly, perceived to be anti farmer and anti rural

Sat, 22 Jun, 2024

Creeslough allocated €12.1m for regeneration project

Creeslough allocated €12.1m for regeneration project

Allocation part of a €164m funding package for 30 regeneration projects across the country

Mon, 13 May, 2024

Letters to the Editor: ‘That They May Face the Rising Sun’ is a movie masterpiece

Letters to the Editor: ‘That They May Face the Rising Sun’ is a movie masterpiece

One reader writes in praise of the film adaptation of John McGahern's final novel, while others consider a range of issues including climate change and mental health

Thu, 02 May, 2024

Sarah Harte: McGahern leaves us pondering what we have lost and gained

Sarah Harte: McGahern leaves us pondering what we have lost and gained

These are the men and women who took the boat in droves in the second half of the 20th century, to find work, and to flee institutional abuse

Wed, 01 May, 2024

Film Review: That They May Face The Rising Sun is delicate but unsentimental

Film Review: That They May Face The Rising Sun is delicate but unsentimental

"The landscape is quintessentially Irish with its reed-choked fields and drystone walls, but religion is every bit important a backdrop here as Catholic Ireland begins to slough off the authoritarian Church..."

Fri, 26 Apr, 2024

TOPSHOT-PALESTINIAN-ISRAEL-CONFLICT-AID

Irish Examiner view: US aid, arms, and mixed messages

Ceasefire in Gaza is needed more than ever

Thu, 25 Apr, 2024

Sorry we are closed sign board hanging on door of cafe stock

Letters to the Editor: Rate hikes will hollow out communities

One reader writes in to say that 'many towns are facing an existential threat as businesses shutter their doors, streets become deserted, and communities dwindle'

Wed, 24 Apr, 2024

Herd of Friesian cattle

Sarah Harte: Could a new crop of independents harness anger and come together?

The lens in rural Ireland has always been different. Ignoring their concerns just plays into the hands of populists

Wed, 17 Apr, 2024