The Kerryman (South Kerry Edition)
Island is short of players, but not potential opportunities
ONLY 37 per cent of Valentia’s population is under 35, well below the national average. But aside from the cable station’s UNESCO World Heritage Site bid (pictured above), there are other hopes of regenerating the island. Valentia Island Development Committee say 10,000 people went through the local tourist office last year, and an interpretive centre at Valentia lighthouse is set to open next month.
Last November, the Rural Regeneration and Development Fund granted €1.27m to Kerry County Council not only for a ground-floor cable museum/visitor experience at the cable centre but also first-floor innovation hub.
A voluntary movement, Grow Remote, recognised there are some 216,000 remote workers in Ireland. Instead of commuting to a specific location to work, they carry out their work wherever they please. Valentia could prove attractive to them, particularly if it can offer this innovation hub with co-working space and state-of-the-art-technology. Colum O’Connell is a Grow Remote chapter lead for Valentia.
“At this hub, they can enjoy the buzz of a co-working space while working remotely,” he said. “On Saturday, February 23, a number of people will visit the island after being invited to a showcase. Many have never been, some are already expressed interest in coming here.
“The hub would support remote working. If they come here, they can also enjoy coastal life; when I get home from work, I can hop in a boat and head off fishing, hill climbing, swimming.
“We can be the home of global communications again; why shouldn’t we?”