The statistics that show how dependent rural dwellers are on their cars, and how long their journeys are

Actor Chirs O'Dowd has offered up his driving skills to support a new pilot initiative.

The Taoiseach has attacked Fianna Fáil accusing the party of wanting to ban people from burning turf and wood as part of its "growing anti-rural agenda".

It seems like a backward step. To give up the 120, suggests Colm O'Regan.

It is an irony, and a challenge, in a world where communications become more and more efficient and more accessible, that isolation and loneliness are holding more and more lives — possibly millions — in an unbreakable half-Nelson.

New subsidised hackney services are to be rolled out across the country from next month to combat rural isolation.

Pilot projects for digital hubs could help stimulate long-term sustainable employment in rural areas, said Maria Walsh, MEP for Midlands North West.

More than 1,400 people across rural Ireland are homeless, a 12% increase on last year — and the number of adults has exceeded 1,000 for the first time.

The vast majority of rural dwellers believe that the Government is too Dublin-focused, while more than 80% of farmers and farm families feel no political parties represent rural Ireland.

A new exhibition reminds us how electric kitchen appliances revolutionised life for women in rural Ireland in the 1950s and ‘60s, in the wake of the ESB’s massive scheme of rural electrification from 1946 until as late as the 1970s, writes Ellie O’Byrne.

Rural Ireland is not always a quiet idyll.

The rejuvenation of rural Ireland at a time of unprecedented change in social and economic life is a great challenge for citizens and policymakers alike, writes Joe Gill.

The Restaurants Association of Ireland says the increase - from 9%to 13.5% - has led to an average of one restaurant closing down every week.

More community police officers are needed to stop young people in rural areas being recruited by gangs according to the Oireachtas Justice Committee.

A body representing taxi drivers has suggested allowing an Uber-style transport regime would put passengers at danger of assault, rape or even murder at the hand of unlicensed drivers.

Re-energising and revitalising rural towns and villages have been common themes in this column over the past 10 years.

If Percy French were alive today he would probably be tempted to add a verse or two to his famous song, ‘Come Back Paddy Reilly To Ballyjamesduff’.

We are now at a point where the decline of small Irish towns will continue and accelerate, writes Michael Clifford.

Frustrated Fine Gael TDs and senators have demanded the government come up with an action plan to protect rural Ireland, including the beef industry and communications infrastructure.

The Local Improvement Scheme covers back roads that help people to access their homes and farms.

It has been a constant struggle for Dr Brid Walsh to keep her general practice in North Kerry going.

Rural drivers should be given new licences which allow them to pick up passengers for a set price within 15km of their homes in a bid to clamp down on ongoing drink driving concerns.

RP O’Donnell is convinced the app-based taxi system would, as Jim Daly TD suggests, be a godsend for rural Ireland.

The cost to benefit analysis modelling could have indicated we have to maintain efficiency at a “peak efficacy” through removal of small rural post offices. Letter communication and basic services are constrained. And so it was early in the 1970s around closures of small rural schools. Small communities were further reduced.

Gardaí in Co Limerick have launched a new text alert system which specifically allows drivers from a fleet of signed-up companies to report any suspicious activity they may witness in rural areas.

The Minister for Rural and Community Development, Michael Ring TD, has announced that he has approved funding in excess of €1 million to continue the Community Services Programme (CSP) Support Fund.

A new series from Síle Nic Chonaonaigh has the TG4 presenter visiting Ireland’s smallest geographical unit, writes Pet Connell

The Local Link Rural Transport Programme is a nationwide rural bus service which operates between rural areas and local towns and villages.

Last month western Canada lost a lifeline when Greyhound Canada closed bus services in Alberta, Saskatchewan, and Manitoba, and cancelled all but one route in British Columbia.

18 projects are being funded by the government under the 2018 Outdoor Recreation Infrastructure Scheme.

A delegation representing a majority of retailers in one of the country’s most westerly towns yesterday outlined fears over plans for a major streetscape revamp which could put many of them out of business.

We have had it up to our eyeballs with a presidential puke feast for the last few weeks, but it’s what’s been

Thankfully, the Environmental Protection Agency has the independence and mandate to point out to us all the many uncomfortable facts about the state of the country.

Six rural towns are to receive €100,000 each to encourage families to return to living in town centres, Minister Michael Ring has announced.

Charleville is braced for change but hopes for some breaks, writes Joe Leogue

The Peter McVerry Trust says new ideas are needed to make sure there isn't a missed opportunity to tackle rural homelessness.

The money will go towards buying iPads, tablets and smart devices, as well as software to support design, gaming, coding and podcasting.

It was a bit like Mass in the old days. People might talk if you weren’t seen there, writes Michael Clifford

Whatever happened to the Action Plan for Rural Development; namely, “Realising our Potential” which was launched by the Government in January 2017?

Communications Minister Denis Naughten has rejected the closure of 159 post offices will be detrimental to rural Ireland, insisting post offices have to be viable.