Survey into West Cork’s appeal as arts mecca

It has long been a mecca for artists, writers, musicians, and craft workers — now researchers are to investigate why West Cork attracts so many creative people, assess their contribution to the economy and outline how the sector could be developed to create more jobs.

Two teams of consultants will undertake the work, interviewing not just the local craftspeople but the retailers which sell their products and the bodies which support them, such as banks and development agencies.

The surveys are scheduled to begin within a fortnight.