West sees population increase for first time since famine

The west of Ireland has experienced a population boom in recent years for the first time since the famine, according to body set up to promote the region.

The Western Development Commission says almost 40,000 new people have moved to the area over the past four years.

The figure does not include a natural population increase since the last census.

The WDC says the new arrivals include Irish people returning from abroad and moving from other parts of the country, as well as foreign nationals.