Special Report (Rural Ireland): ‘Don’t pigeonhole rural communities as a burden’

The former head of the Government commission on rural Ireland has pleaded for an end to the view of rural communities as a problem and burden on the rest of the country.

Cathal O’Donoghue said there was a preoccupation with post office closures and farm prices at both public and official level, with debate limited to stereotypes and dominated by the view that communities were in decline.

He said any hope of rejuvenating the rural economy would require proper understanding of both the complexity of the challenges faced in rural Ireland and the richness of the resources available there.