Chapter 4

Rural Case Studies

4.1 Cork County

The following studies have been used to develop a profile of Cork County:

• Cork County Development Plan; County-At-Large, Cork 1986
• Draft County Development Plan Review; County-At-Large, Cork 1994.

Cork County is an exceptionally large County with a varied socio-economic and topographical structure. It is a predominantly rural county and its rural environment is an important asset. It has some of the best agricultural land in the country with a wide use range.

Cork's principal specialisation is in the food industry which has a particularly strong concentration in North Cork, and the chemical industry, which is focused on the Luts area. Cork has a long coastline, one of the country's major fishing ports, a developing aquaculture industry and a number of important fishing rivers.

Table 4 - Population - Cork

Source: CSO Local Population Report: County Cork.

As indicated in the above table, the population grew in Cork County between the years 1986 and 1991. However in areas remote from towns, a combination of static or declining populations, a tendency to centralise provision of commercial services, and actual or threatened cut back in publicly provided services are threatening the rural service base. Town and village populations are in many cases static and declining.

4.2 Introduction

Much of the research undertaken in youth work and in other fields focuses on the urban experience. Very often the reference base for identifying disadvantage is confined to include only such factors as are visible in urban areas.

The case studies in this chapter focus on the areas of Macroom, Churchtown/Liscarroll and Conna. These are very diverse rural areas located in Cork County, however they do highlight some of the issues relevant to rural youth work practice. Furthermore they highlight the fact that the issue of rural disadvantage has to be more fully addressed.

4.3 Macroom

4.3.1 Location and Development

The town of Macroom is located in mid-Cork on the main Cork-Killarney National primary Road N22, 24 miles west from Cork. It is a market town and main centre for a large agricultural hinterland.

Macroom is a major service and recreational centre and employment base for the villages of Inchigeela, Ballingeary, Ballyvourney, Clondrohid, Coachford, and the surrounding agricultural hinterland.

4.3.2 Community Facilities

The 1984 Area Action Plan stated that Macroom town had 'an adequate range of social facilities in proportion to its population.

The Golf Club and the local playing pitches are located in the castle grounds. Also located in the town park is pitch and putt, soccer, rugby, tennis, fishing and hunting.

The sports complex also located in the castle grounds is an invaluable facility catering for the following indoor activities: badminton, basketball, indoor football, weightlifting, table tennis, racquet ball and handball.

The town possesses buildings of architectural significance such as the ruins of the Castle, the Town Hall, the old Bridewell and St. Colman's Church. There are plans underway to convert the former Palace Cinema into a theatre/auditorium with associated facilities and to restore the corn mill at Bealick as a major tourist attraction in the area.

There is clear evidence of a commitment to the provision of facilities and activities for the common good in Macroom. This commitment has been further enhanced by the work of the Lee Valley Enterprise Board and the Urban Council among other agencies. The considerable number of clubs, particularly sporting clubs and other groups which rely heavily on local voluntary effort and which cater for many of the needs of young people in the area, has to be commended.

4.3.3 Clubs and Groups Active in the Macroom Area

The following clubs and groups are active in the Macroom area:

Handball Club, Harriers Club, Hunt Club, Macroom Bridge Club, Parish Choir, Ploughing Association, Beavers, Cubs, Scouts and Venturers, Senior Citizens Committee, Sullane Bridge Club, Sports Complex Steering Committee, Tidy Towns Committee, Uni Slim, Flower Club, Macroom Musical Society, Ladybirds, Brownies, Guides and Rangers, Horticultural Society, Irish Farmers Association, Prayer Group, Piano/Accordion/Violin Lessons, Pitch and Putt, West Muskerry Athletic Club, Anglers, Badminton, Bowling, Coursing Club, G.A.A. Golf Club, Gymnastics, I.C.A., Judo, Macra na Feirme, Pioneer Association, Soccer Club, Irish Dancing, Environmental Group, Political Parties, Historical Society, Basketball, F.C.A. Faith and Light, Squash/Racquet Ball, Weightlifting, Canoeing, St. Vincent de Paul Society, Yoga, Liturgy Group, Karate Club, Cards, Set Dancing, Bingo, Riding Centre, Burbry Twinning Committee.

4.3.4 Housing

Macroom, an urban settlement, has a high concentration of mixed commercial and residential usage within the centre area.

Government policies over the years have provided an incentive for people to invest in building their own houses. In Macroom this is apparent in the development of private housing in and near the town. Most of the land zoned residential development is located on the West and North/West sides of the town. In 1984, the total number of Local Authority houses in Macroom was 200 approximately. In June 1995, there is a total of 238 Local Authority houses in Macroom urban area, 77 of which are being rented and the remaining have been purchased under the Tenant Purchase Scheme.

4.3.5 Population

The following table shows the population figures for the years 1971, 1979 and 1981 for both Macroom urban and rural districts.

Table 5 - Population Figures 1971, 1979, 1981 - Macroom

Source: Maghchromtha Plean Forbartha 1984.

Table 6 - Population 1991 - Macroom Urban District

Table 7 - Population by Age Groups - Macroom Urban District

In 1995, there are approximately 326 persons in the 4-13 age group and 550 persons over the age of 4 and under the age of 19 residing in the Macroom urban district.

Table 8 includes the combined secondary schools enrolment figures for the school years 1985-1994. For the 1994/95 school term there were 904 pupils enrolled in Secondary Schools in Macroom.

Table 8 - Combined Schools Enrolment Figures 1985-1994 - Macroom

Table 9 - Unemployment 1991 - Macroom Urban Area

There are no up-to-date figures for unemployment available for Macroom. The table shows that official unemployment stood at 12.9% in 1991. The table would suggest that young people in Macroom are disadvantaged in the labour market, particularly young males under the age of 24 who had an unemployment rate of 20.9% in 1991.

In June 1995, it was estimated that there were approximately 50 people in the 18-25 age group who were unemployed and in receipt of social welfare payments. (Macroom Employment Office).

4.3.6 Education

BISHOP MCEGAN COLLEGE

There is a strong tradition of vocational education in Macroom and Bishop McEgan College has been established there since 1932. Bishop McEgan College caters for about 225 pupils, of which 8% reside in the Macroom area.

Pupils can participate in a Transition Programme and the ratio of pupils participating in the Leaving Certificate Vocational Programme compared to the mainstream Leaving Certificate programme is 50:50 at present. There is also a Post-leaving Certificate Secretarial Scheme and a Vocational Training Opportunities Scheme provided in the school.

Extra-curricular activities available in the school include, badminton, basketball, indoor football, weightlifting, table tennis, racquet ball, handball, hurling, soccer and chess. Violin, cello and guitar lessons and choir practice are also available as part of the school's music scheme. There is a comprehensive sports complex in the school which is available for use by all schools in the catchment area and all local clubs and societies. The complex is open from 8 am to 11 pm each weekday and as required at weekends. Young people identified as being disadvantaged are given access to the complex at a reduced price. School rooms are let to a variety of local community groups for meetings and activities.

There is a wide range of Adult Education Classes available in the school including Art for Adults and Leaving Certificate Students, car maintenance, computer applications, drama workshops, gardening, flower arranging, French conversation, Irish conversation and woodturning. An active parents association provides assistance with open-days, craft Fairs, Swimming Lessons and fundraising.

COLÁISTE DE LA SALLE

Coláiste De La Salle has been established in Macroom since 1933. In the 1994/95 school year there were 262 pupils enrolled in the school.

There is a Transition Programme in the school and there are plans to introduce the Leaving Certificate Applied Programme in the school year beginning in September 1995. Electronics is also taught in the school. Approximately 25% of pupils reside in the Macroom urban area. The school facilities are only available for school use. Extra-curricular activities available in the school include a wide range of sports, debating and public speaking, quiz competitions and environmental and other special interest groups.

SCOIL MHUIRE

Scoil Mhuire, a secondary school catering for girls, has been established in Macroom for 120 years. In the 1994/95 school year there were 417 pupils enrolled in the school with approximately 75 pupils in each year. About 25% of pupils reside in the Macroom Urban area.

The school facilities are used by sporting clubs and other local societies and community groups for meetings. Extra-curricular activities available in the schools include a wide range of sports; camogie, volleyball, basketball, badminton, and athletics. Other activities include the yearly school musical, debating and public speaking, community service art classes, typing and first aid classes. Every Wednesday afternoon, students engage in two hours of extra-curricular activity. There are student groups involved in environmental awareness, in the provision of a school tuck shop and in running their own mini-company.

4.3.7 Youth Work in Macroom

The sporting clubs and groups cater for many of the needs of young people in Macroom. A variety of sporting activities are on offer and young people are encouraged to participate both in schools and in their local community. After considerable fundraising in the local community, a youth centre was opened in 1992. This youth centre was in operation for two years, finally closing in 1994.

There is no clear explanation for the demise of the youth centre. A number of problems were identified, which cumulatively made survival of the club impossible. Possible problems included a lack of clarity as to the objectives of the club. It was felt that the enthusiasm fuelled by the successful fundraising endeavours at the beginning resulted in the planning of activities which some felt were unsuited to meeting the 'real' needs of young people in the area. Lack of training of leaders was mentioned as a problem which possibly contributed to the burn out of leaders. There was also the problem of relocating to another premises which at this time in the club's existence could not be tackled enthusiastically.

4.3.8 Volunteerism and Support

The lack of training and support for volunteer youth workers and the reluctance of people to volunteer were recurrent themes. "People are less and less prepared to do things voluntarily" "The lack of parental and other supports makes leadership very difficult." "The facilities are in the town but there is a problem getting leadership".

4.3.9 Young People and Employment

It was estimated that there are approximately 50 young people in receipt of social welfare in Macroom. It was also stated that while 'there are job opportunities in the area there are young people who do not possess the skills or training necessary to avail of these opportunities.' There is also no provision in the area for young people who leave school with very basic formal qualifications.

4.3.10 Female Participation

The 'dearth of activities outside of sport' in the area was highlighted as having particular implications for meeting the needs of girls. The schools provision and the guiding company in the local community would appear to be the main services catering for the needs of girls in Macroom.

4.4 Churchtown and Liscarroll

4.4.1 Location and Development

Churchtown and Liscarroll are two villages located in North Cork. Both villages are in the same parish.

4.4.2 Facilities

There is a community centre in both Churchtown and Liscarroll villages. These community centres serve as the main focal points for many of the social activities in the two areas. There are already considerable demands on these facilities as they are the only buildings available for use in the two communities. It is generally felt that these buildings are in need of further renovation if they are to accommodate more youth work activities.

4.4.3 Activities for Young People in the Two Communities

The following community groups/clubs activities have been identified in the Churchtown/Liscarroll communities. This is not necessarily a definitive list.

In Churchtown, a Youth Leader/Animateur has recently been employed by Ballyhoura Fáilte. At present this person is involved in the provision of a range of sporting activities (soccer, basketball, handball and volleyball) in the local community centre. The provision is targeted at the 4-12 age group on Tuesday and Wednesday afternoons and at the 12-18 age group on Friday nights and Sunday afternoons. The provision currently caters for approximately 35 young people in the area. While the provision on Sunday afternoons was for girls only, the poor attendance of girls meant that boys were subsequently included in the provision.

4.4.4 Population

The following table shows the population figures for the year 1991 for the Churchtown area.

Table 10 - Population Figures 1991 - Churchtown

The number of households in Churchtown was 208 in 1991

Table 11 - Population by Age Groups - Churchtown

In 1995 there are 105 persons in the 4-13 age group and 158 persons over the age of 4 and under the age of 19 living in Churchtown.

Table 12 shows population figures for the year 1991 for the Liscarroll area.

Table 12 - Population Figures 1991 - Liscarroll

The number of households in Liscarroll was 183 in 1991.

Table 13 - Population by Age Groups - Liscarroll

There are 89 persons in the 4-13 age group and 149 persons over the age of 4 and under the age of 19 in Liscarroll.

Table 14 - Combined Population 1991 - Churchtown and Liscarroll

4.4.5 Housing

In 1991 there was a total of 183 households in Liscarroll and 208 in Churchtown. In June 1995, there was a total of 8 council houses in Churchtown, 5 of which were still being rented. At the same time there were 10 council houses in Liscarroll, 5 of which were still being rented.

4.4.6 Unemployment

There are no up-to-date figures for unemployment in Churchtown and Liscarroll. The only figures available are from the 1991 census. Looking at unemployment among young people under 25, the figures show a rate of 30.5% (Churchtown) and 56.2% (Liscarroll) with young males having unemployment rates of 27.8% (Churchtown) and 40% (Liscarroll). This would suggest that young people are severely disadvantaged in the labour market.

Table 15 - Unemployment 1991 - Churchtown

Table 16 - Unemployment 1991 - Liscarroll

4.4.7 Education

There are two national schools in the Churchtown/Liscarroll parish which cater for the primary education of young people in this area. Pupils travel to other areas for secondary education. These areas include Kanturk, Doneraile, Charleville, Bruff and Buttevant.

CHURCHTOWN NATIONAL SCHOOL

The National School in Churchtown caters for the following numbers of pupils:

Extra-curricular activities available in the school include hurling for boys and football for both boys and girls. Pupils also participate in athletics. Speech and drama classes are provided in the school and each year pupils participate in the school play.

LISCARROLL NATIONAL SCHOOL

The National School in Liscarroll caters for the following number of pupils:

Extra-curricular activities available in the school include hurling for boys and football, athletics and basketball for girls and boys.

Speech and drama classes and art classes are provided weekly. Flower arranging classes are organised twice a year for all pupils and fifth and sixth class girls also participate in sewing classes.

4.4.8 Youth Work in Churchtown and Liscarroll

MAINSTREAM YOUTH WORK

The absence of a youth club in the two areas was highlighted. The young people who were interviewed pointed to the need for a club where they could meet with members of their own age group and socialise. Young people felt a club would engage many young people who are not sports orientated in the areas and would also provide opportunities for them to participate in events outside of their own Communities:

In other places they have Foróige clubs...they go to competitions and concerts and everything .... we should have a club like that here.

When this need was identified, Foróige quickly responded by getting involved in the provision of a club in the Churchtown area.

4.4.9 Youth Work and a Female Agenda

The lack of participation of girls was explained in the context of the predisposition toward sports in the two communities, particularly sports which concentrate on male involvement. "The sport here is for boys more than for girls". While in Liscarroll, the ladies football club has to some degree redressed this bias and has a significant female membership, in Churchtown this had not happened.

4.4.10 Co-Operation Between Communities

People interviewed commented on the "rivalry" between the two villages and thought that it was mainly fuelled by competitive sporting competitions. Young people claimed that they would welcome more opportunities for informal mixing between the two communities, if possible around non-competitive co-operative ventures e.g. drama.

4.4.11 The Rural Issue

In relation to provision it was felt that there was a greater inclination to meet the needs of the elderly and the very young. While there may be many explanations for this, it does trigger a number of questions which can be tied in with other issues raised. People spoke about the number of clubs and groups which set up and then fizzle out, the fact that some people are expected to do everything because of the lack of people volunteering for leadership roles. The lack of particular expertise in a parish which has seen so many emigrate and which has a small population was considered to be a major obstacle in meeting the needs of local young people adequately. These problems are particularly acute in rural areas and they are also indicative of the lack of support for the development of youth services at local level.

4.4.12 Young People 'At Risk'

In the Churchtown/Liscarroll parish, there is a group of young people who have been described by local people as being "at risk" because they are out of school, unemployed and not involved in any group or club in their community. They are male, range in age from 15 upward and have limited educational qualifications. While it has been established that there is a dearth of provision for young people "at risk" in city areas, it could be argued that this group has to further contend with the lack of opportunity, the isolation and the alienation that can result from living in a rural area. In the absence of any provision for this group within a reasonable distance, the needs of these young people who are cumulatively disadvantaged are not being met.

4.5 Conna

4.5.1 Location and Development

"Today Conna can proudly boast of providing exquisite sporting facilities for their youth. There are some jobs, some houses. Everything is on the move, and significantly the people of Conna seem to be united in their determination to make Conna a better place to live in. A very vibrant community" (Farmers Journal 1989).

The above extract explains why Conna, a small rural community in East Cork received a Farmers Journal Community Award in 1989.

There is considerable evidence of the people of Conna's determination in developing facilities and structures for the common good. One such example is the £250,000 sports complex which was built in Conna in 1987. The Conna Muintir Council has to be congratulated for its role in securing two factories for the area. These factories which produce plastic products and cigars ensure that there is relatively low unemployment in the area. Following the Community Council's submissions to the County Council additional housing was provided (Castleview Estate and Sycamore Drive) to accommodate local residents. Conna has its own fire fighting service, Credit Union and its young people are active participants in the community. The parents council in the local national school is now engaged in a number of fundraising events to finance the refurbishment of the school. This council which was formed in January has already raised £15,000 for this purpose.

Local people view the development of Conna in a positive light. When asked to account for the strong tradition of development in Conna, people mention the strong sense of community spirit; the willingness to work together without politics or class distinction; the importance of respecting everyone's opinions and the determination to engage in self-help.

4.5.2 Demographic Profile

The demographic profile of Conna has been compiled from the Community Care Survey 31/12/1988 (see Appendix 4). The Census of Population Small Area Statistics could not be used for the Conna area.

Table 17 - Demographic Profile 1988 - Conna

4.5.3 Facilities

The community sports complex is the location for many activities in the area. The complex is equipped with a handball alley, canteen, sports hall, old parish hall, a shop and office, a games room, toilet, shower and changing facilities as well as meeting rooms. An area behind the complex was developed recently for the purpose of providing tennis courts, which are to be officially opened soon.

4.5.4 Clubs and Groups in Conna

The Conna Muintir Council is the main body responsible for development in the community. This council is divided into 10 sub-committees each having its own area of responsibility. The Council is comprised of the following committees of local people:

• Senior Citizens Committee
• Childrens and Senior Citizens Parties Committee
• Finance Committee
• The Conna Newsletter Committee
• The Horticultural Show Committee
• The Bingo Committee
• The Tea Party Committee
• The Play Committee
• The Entertainment and Youth Committee
• The Tidy Towns Committee.

The Council's commitment toward meeting the needs of local young people is evident in the existence of the Entertainment and Youth Committee. Each year, a rock concert and barbecue is held in the castle grounds which is attended by young people from all over East Cork. Discos are organised for 14-18 year olds in the Sports complex on a regular basis. These discos are organised at suitable times coinciding with the school calendar. They are attended by young people from other areas and are supervised by local parents and committee members. A youth club was formed in 1984 under the auspices of the Conna Community Council. This club is affiliated to the Cloyne Youth Federation and is based in the Sports complex. It is funded out of the revenue from the discos. At present there are 70 members and the club is the responsibility of a committee of young people aged between 16 and 17. This committee is comprised of the chairperson, the vice-chairperson, the secretary, the treasurer, the public relations officer, the assistant public relations officer and two supports co-ordinators. Each year sees the election of a new committee.

The youth club targets the 13-18 age group and they meet every Saturday night between 8 and 11. The youth club can use the complete complex but usually they confine their activities to the games room and the hall. Activities available include football, handball, pool, soccer, snooker, unihoc, basketball and volleyball. There is also a television in the games room where members can sit and chat. Each year the club organises a trip away for a week during the summer. The committee is responsible for the entire operation of the club although the parents and the community council also offer support and assistance.

The provision for the younger age groups include sports days which are organised weekly. In Conna, this day is Tuesday but sports days are also organised on other days in schools in other nearby districts.

Summer camps are organised for a week in August. Other activities available in Conna for young people include indoor football, indoor sports, Gaelic games, trout angling, soccer, handball and athletics.

Many young people are employed on schemes to work in the local area during the summer holidays. One young person has recently completed painting the sports complex and is now employed as a tennis coach for the summer period.

4.5.5 Rural Youth Work

Without generalising too strongly from the case studies the following points need to be considered:

• The case studies highlight the diversity of experience present in rural areas.
• Many problems associated with youth work activities are common to urban as well as rural contexts e.g. funding, the lack of facilities and support for voluntary effort, the need to cater for young people 'at risk'.
• The communities studied are at different stages of realising the challenge involved in developing their local areas. There does not appear to be any one formula for successful community activity, however resources and people are important as are other dynamics including organisation, goodwill, community spirit, confidence and vision. When all of these bind successfully together, the results can be very positive both for young people and the communities in which they live. Sustained community development would appear to have a very positive effect on youth work activity.
• The case studies highlight the seriousness of many rural issues - the effects of unemployment, emigration/migration and population decline as well as infra-structural under-development. These are further discussed in the next section.

4.5.6 Unemployment

In Ireland, while unemployment is a nationwide problem affecting urban and rural areas, there is evidence to suggest that unemployment can have a devastating effect on rural areas.

Approximately 50% of young people are out of work in the rural areas of the French Alps, German Republic, Norway, Greece, Ireland and the UK.

Furthermore young people in rural areas experience difficulties acquiring the education, skills and training to work in their own communities due to the centralisation of these services in city areas, and also because of an education system which 'operates by and large to educate people out of their communities'.

Research by Cullen et al., confirms the adverse effects of unemployment on young people. In his study of unemployed young people aged between 16-23, he found that they smoked more than their employed peers; they were also more likely to worry about their future, to feel more resentful, burdened and unsupported than those in employment.

4.5.7 Rural Youth Work and the Lack of People

Communities of interest are more easily conceived in large urban centres where great numbers of people can be mobilised. In rural areas, collective strength can be weak. This has implications for youth work practice in terms of how urban problems can be allowed to dominate the agenda. Further evidence of this includes the lack of research into youth work in rural settings, the lack of training available for youth workers in these settings as well as the failure to include rural youth work as part of a formulated policy.

4.5.8 The Effects of Migration, Emigration and Population Decline

Hannan has outlined the three categories of people and communities that are subject to high rates of outmigration and population decline:

1. People from remoter rural communities, with a poor resource base, particularly those with a poor demographic structure - many older single people, or, if married, with few successors; i.e. mainly poor, small farm dependent communities.
2. Young People: - 90% of migrants leave between 17-30.
3. Education: migration is highly selective of the better educated. To a large extent in many rural and small town communities those young people who stay on at home are only "residually educated" - left over after schools have catered for the needs of those going on to third level.

The implications of these trends were highlighted to a certain degree in the case studies of Churchtown/Liscarroll and Macroom where young people lacked the education/skills to find work in their own communities or where there was a lack of leadership skills and expertise in specialisms required for youth work practice.

4.5.9 Other Difficulties In Rural Areas

... There are huge inadequacies in the areas of facilities and infrastructure to cater for young people in rural areas and the lack of facilities increasingly leads to emigration or homelessness among the youth. They are isolated and excluded from the thrust of society and are not able to avail of opportunities and recreational facilities, an example of this is the neglect and under resourcing of youth clubs.

People residing in rural areas where there is a lack of facilities and infrastructure are more likely to experience difficulty in gaining access to services, particularly in the areas of health and education which are often centralised in city and urban areas. At present there is only one Senior and four Social Workers responsible for the entire West Cork Community Care area. The problem of transport causes double deprivation, particularly among young people who are at a greater risk of alienation and isolation than many other groups.

The problems which are more salient in rural than in urban areas appear to justify the need for a rural youth work approach. The nature of this approach is discussed later in this report. 

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