Analysis: Building Sustainability In Ireland's Countryside

November 13, 2014
Building Sustainability in Ireland’s Countryside Ireland historically had a large rural population, which was for the most part self-sustaining through the agricultural industry and the inheritance of the family agricultural trade from one generation to the next. As Ireland evolved into its new role as an independent nation a number of pivotal changes to the demographics of society occurred that resulted in a declining rural population which has in the intervening period resulted in a dramatic shift of both population size and age spread in the rural community. These factors include the joining of the EU and its common agricultural market which led to small scale farming being less profitable and therefore reducing the number
The western coast of Ireland has great surf but is rural and hard to get to in many places. You need someone who knows the area well and is comfortable driving in rural Ireland. Places like New Zealand and Hawaii have made an industry out of this natural resource by having tour guides and package holidays that incorporate both the sporting aspect and the heritage aspects of their respective countries. Having guides live in these rural parts of the coast would encourage population and tourism. The same can go for hill walking in Ireland. While the mountains here are not something you would need a guide to help you survive as if you were climbing Everest or even a fourteener guided hikes can be a source of income from tourists if situated on historical landmarks, many places are rich with mythological stories or areas with lots of native fauna that people would want to learn about. The tourism needs to be done properly however and not half heartedly or in a fashion with is half thought out. On arrival to Ireland I heard incessantly about the Barrack Obama Plaza. I was picturing a beautiful shopping center and museum in a quaint little town. When I finally saw it was essentially just a fancy petrol station/ Supermacs, I was very disappointed. Granted Moneygall is extremely small and aside from being the ancestral home of President Obama does not have much else to offer.However allowing a petrol station to be advertised in a fashion that has potential to attract tourists to it expecting something more, can have negative connotations to the local industry. The town of Moneygall can undoubtedly use its ties to Barrack Obama to encourage tourism in its region, but by allowing the commercial development to proceed