West Cork village to host autumn school focused on issues facing rural Ireland

Event in the coastal village of Allihies will explore topics such as rural resilience, marine and fishing, farming, biodiversity and sustainable living

The Allihies Autumn School runs on the weekend of October 11 to 13. Picture: Dan Linehan

A remote coastal village on a rugged peninsula is set to host its first-ever autumn school, which it hopes will help shape the future of Ireland’s coastal and rural communities.

Organisers of the inaugural Beara Wonders Event, on the scenic Beara peninsula in West Cork, said topics including rural resilience, marine and fishing, farming, biodiversity and sustainable living will be discussed, with a focus on rural Ireland, and the Beara peninsula itself for the next half-century.

And they said it would be more than just a local initiative, serving also as a blueprint for rural communities across Ireland that face similar challenges.

“As the community furthest from Dublin’s seat of government, we hope to lead by example, taking the time to learn from experts and reflect on the strategies that can positively impact coastal and rural areas throughout the country,” said Klaudia Drozdzik, the coordinator at Allihies Copper Mine Museum.

The autumn school, supported by Bantry Credit Union, will feature a series of walks and talks across the weekend of October 11 to 13, with a line-up of experts speakers that includes Beara locals Eoghan Daltun, who will open the event with a talk on his journey to restore a temperate rainforest ecosystem in Beara, and a wildlife talk with Denis Walsh, who will also lead a walk and talk event with Tadhg O'Sullivan focusing on diversity and sustainability.

Allihies Autumn School will feature a series of walks and talks across the weekend, with a line-up of expert speakers.

Academic experts including Dr Pat Meere, Dr Brendan Dunford, and Dr Kevin Flannery will discuss geology, farming and fishing, while Dr Susan Steele, the executive director of the European Fisheries Control Agency, will lead an online talk on sustainable fishing and rural enterprise.

Ms Drozdzik said while for generations, emigration had posed a significant challenge to maintaining a stable population in Allihies and other remote communities, the past few years have witnessed a resurgence of interest in the area, with returning emigrants, their descendants, and newcomers — both part-time and permanent — choosing Allihies for its remoteness, rich history, and stunning landscape.

“This newfound interest presents a timely opportunity to strategise about the future of these regions, with a focus on sustainable income streams that respect and nurture the natural environment,” she said.

“By addressing key issues like environmental stewardship and sustainable development, the Allihies Autumn School is setting the stage for a brighter future, one in which rural communities can retain their unique identities while adapting to modern needs.” 

More details, and tickets for the event, can be found here.