‘Save our rural communities’ – villages fight against decline

RURAL communities in South Kerry are fighting back against dwindling populations and a lack of vital services.

Lauragh, located at the entrance to the Beara Peninsula, is a picturesque tourist area but fears are mounting over the future of the village.

The recent closure of the local post office is the latest blow for the village, which has already lost its garda station and bar.

Now fears are mounting for its local school which has just a handful of pupils and is in imminent danger of losing it’s second teacher if enrolment does not increase by September 30.

A public meeting in recent months led by the local community brought young and old together to try and save their local community.

Planning has become a major concern with young families finding it difficult to acquire their own home.

This and other concerns led to the launch of the Lauragh Community Activation Group who have been meeting regularly in recent months to come up with plans to try and revive the population of the area.

Their aim is to get more people to move to the village of Lauragh, which is an ideal location to raise a family. Broadband, lower rents and cheaper property prices are also being cited as reasons to move to the local community.

“We want to encourage more people to move to Lauragh,” explains resident Siobhan O’Shea.

“We have been working in recent months to come up with a plan to promote the region and encouraging more people to move to Lauragh. This village has a lot to offer young and old.”

“The primary school is ideal for those looking for a rural school setting where children will receive high-quality education, there are plenty of outdoor facilities for those seeking the country life and lower rents, cheaper property prices and good broadband for home working are also advantages.”

Meanwhile, residents in Bonane, also located close to Kenmare, have also started a campaign to see their local community revived.

A public meeting will take place today, Wednesday, March 20 at the local national school at 8pm to get residents together to help form a plan that could revive the area.

Former Kerry footballer, Pat Spillane, who is the ambassador for the Action Plan for Rural Ireland and former Chair of the Commission for the Economic Development of Rural Areas is guest speaker for the night.

Stephen O’Sullivan of Bonane Community Council said that the meeting is to “come up with ideas” to help the region.

A similar meeting held in 1999 led to the development of the Bonane Heritage Park which has been a huge boost for the area, attracting more tourism and creating local employment.

“Rural communities are suffering and we need to try and keep life in these communities,” he said.

Pat Spillane who will speak at a meeting in Bonane tonight, Wednesday.