Perceptions of sustainability in Ireland's small villages during immigration times: Exploring discernments of social, economic, and environmental challenges in rural Cavan and Leitrim
Résumé
This paper examines aspects of population change in small villages of Ireland
through analysis of residents’ perceptions of social, economic, and environmental
dimensions of rural sustainability. In addition, given the relevance to identity and
well-being, it aligns these into value affinities/aversions (ruralphilia/ruralphobia)
and affective bonds to places. While the paper draws on documental work and key
indicators from the CSO to develop a context for the study, it is mainly based on
empirical data, focusing on small villages of Cavan and Leitrim, where semi-structured
interviews with various informants were conducted. Thus, this paper gives voice
both to rural immigrants and to locally born inhabitants. Our research identified
how some residents articulated feelings related to ruralphilia/ruralphobia and others
showed how everyday challenges reveal the entanglements of social, economic, and
environmental dimensions of sustainability. For instance, prejudice or xenophobia are
more clearly linked to the social dimension of sustainability (but can have an impact
on the ability to attract foreign workers). Meanwhile, access to credit and support for
rural business development are more clearly linked to the economic dimension (but
have a social impact due to the scarcity/lack of jobs available or the low-quality jobs
on offer), and environmental education, recycling and waste management are more
clearly linked to the environmental dimension (but there will be new job opportunities
if more waste management policies are implemented).
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