Human Processes

Population Dynamics

Historical Trends:

• In 1841, the population was 850,000. The Great Famine caused significant emigration and death, starting a long-term population decline.

• By the 1970s, the population had dropped to 312,000. Recent Trends:

• During the Celtic Tiger era (1990s), urban areas like Galway attracted workers, resulting in population growth in certain towns.

• Brazilian migrants moved to areas like Gort, Co. Galway, due to employment in meat processing plants.

• Current population: 445,356, with two-thirds living in rural areas. Population Density:

• Average: 25 people per km², among the lowest in Ireland.

• Coastal areas with industries like fishing and tourism see higher densities of 160 people per km².

• Upland areas with poor soils, like Connemara, have sparse populations. Age Structure and Migration:

• Age-selective migration: Young people leave to find work, contributing to low birth rates and marriage rates.

• The region has a high age dependency ratio, with a significant portion of the population over 65 or under 15.

Language

Gaeltacht Areas:

• The largest Gaeltacht is located in Connemara, covering 800 km².

• Population has declined from 35,000 (1841) to 10,500 today. Cultural Preservation:

• Connemara West, established in 1971, aims to support the Gaeltacht economically and socially. Initiatives include:

• Connemara Community Radio.

• Teach Ceoil, a centre promoting traditional Irish music.

• Despite these efforts, rural depopulation remains a significant challenge.

Urban Development

Galway City:

• Population: 75,529.

• Acts as the economic and educational hub of the Western Region.

• Attracts workers and students, offering opportunities in services, education, and healthcare. Castlebar, Co. Mayo:

• Population: 12,000.

• Employment opportunities created by the Department of Agriculture and expanding services.

Rural Development

Rural Depopulation:

• Migration to urban areas has left fewer people to manage farms.

• Declining population density affects services:

• Closure of rural post offices.

• Amalgamation of schools due to low enrolment. Brain Drain:

• Only one university, NUIG, is located in the region.

• Only 13% of graduates remain in the Western Region for employment, resulting in a significant loss of educated young people. High Age Dependency:

• Outward migration of younger people exacerbates the region's ageing population, creating additional pressure on healthcare and social services.

Sustainable Development Efforts

National Development Plan (NDP):

• Focuses on sustainable rural development by protecting natural resources and improving local services. Key initiatives:

• Funding for childcare facilities.

• Grants for farmers to modernise resources and improve waste management. EU-Funded LEADER Programme:

• Encourages community-based initiatives, such as local training centres and language schools.

• Aims to reduce outward migration by providing employment opportunities locally.

• Operates on a "bottom-up" development model, empowering local communities to manage projects for long-term success.

Key Challenges and Solutions

Challenge	Impact	Solution
Outward Migration	Loss of young, educated workers; ageing population.	LEADER programme and sustainable rural initiatives to retain local talent.
Rural Depopulation	Decline in farming, closure of services (post offices, schools).	NDP funding to improve infrastructure and services, attracting residents back to rural areas.
Cultural Decline in Gaeltacht	Loss of Irish language and traditions.	Support from organisations like Connemara West, language schools, and cultural events.
Economic Underdevelopment	Few industries and limited urban employment opportunities.	Expansion of NUIG, promoting tourism, and encouraging SMEs to invest in the region.

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Summary of Key Points

Aspect	Details
Population Dynamics	Current population: 445,356; low density (25 per km²); age-selective migration causing brain drain.
Language	Largest Gaeltacht in Connemara (10,500 people); cultural efforts include Teach Ceoil and local radio.
Urban Development	Galway (75,529) as economic hub; Castlebar (12,000) supports employment in services and government.
Rural Development	Depopulation affects farming and services; NDP and LEADER promote sustainable rural development.
Sustainability Efforts	Community-based initiatives, grants for farmers, and infrastructure improvements.