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Hoping to showcase the benefits of living rurally, Macra Rural Youth is hosting an 'Ask Me Anything' event via Zoom on Tuesday 30 March at 8pm.
Moving to the countryside has become an attractive option for many people over the last year, as life and work priorities have changed.
The pandemic has resulted in a greater need for green spaces, a change to remote working and less commuting time for many Irish people.
Macra Rural Youth hopes to highlight the advantages of rural living during its event.
“We chose this topic because we are always focusing on the negatives of rural living, such as poor broadband and lack of services,” says Rural Youth Committee chair Shane Quigley.
“But it is important that we stop and think about the amazing opportunities available and the beauty of rural Ireland. We are lucky to live in such an amazing place and it is important to recognise that,” he explains.
Organisers have invited three guest speakers to the event, discussing how rural life can be a viable option.
Topics up for discussion include remote working, rural hubs, housing, renovating houses and community groups.
The evening will also be open to the floor for any questions attendees may have.
Manager of the Mountmellick Development Association Paddy Buggy will join the panel to discuss the advantages of rural hubs.
These hubs provide people with the option to work outside the home, but also eliminate the need to commute to large towns or cities.
They also provide employees with social interaction, which is often lacking when working from home.
Head of training at IDI Gerry O’Brien will speak about his own personal experience of moving from a city to buying and renovating a house in a rural area.
As remote working becomes a more feasible option for many employees, Gerry will highlight the options available in terms of housing in rural Ireland.
Chair of Kilrush Town Teams Charlie Glynn will speak about the community aspect of living rurally and how groups can come together to make areas a better place to live.
He will also address the need for improved services and adequate social amenities in order to attract people to rural areas.
Macra Rural Youth is hoping to highlight the resilience of rural Ireland during the pandemic and why people should consider the higher quality of life associated with the countryside.
“The survival of rural Ireland depends on becoming a progressive and welcoming community that people can live and, more importantly, work in, be that in the local economy or remotely,” explains Macra national president Thomas Duffy.
“It is essential to keep developing rural areas to maintain our cultural heritage and provide for our communities,” he concludes.
Register for the live event via Zoom here.
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