Rumours of rural Ireland's decline are exaggerated thanks to co-operative shops, cafés and pubs

Population decline isn't a problem for rural Ireland; but the lack of services and of economic activity is being addressed by voluntary co-operative groups

Mary O'Neill, the chef of Middle Country Cafe & Crafts, Cloughjordan. Picture: Liam Burke/Press 22.

Preliminary results from Census 2022 show that the population of every Irish county has increased since 2016. This is welcome, suggesting that Ireland has improved its population distribution and slowed rural decline.

Electoral divisions (EDs), however — these are the most minor administrative areas published within the preliminary figures — show areas for concern. Outside of Dublin, population growth is largely concentrated around the main urban centres in each county. Consequently, wide inequalities exist, with the number of residents falling in 17% of the remoter electoral divisions.