Ballyshannon

Located in the south of Donegal, Ballyshannon’s local economy has struggled since the early 2000s, with hints of decline as far back as the 1990s.

In these years, Ballyshannon saw a number of large employers leave the area, such as Donegal Parian China, which led to the loss of 65 jobs in the area. Its close proximity to large towns such as Enniskillen and Sligo means shops in the town suffer, with the belief that the lack of Government representation and funding has led to the decline of the town. Local councillor Barry O’Neill believes that the town has more than enough potential to thrive in the future.

“It is a town rich in tourist potential, we have one of the best public parks in the country, a fantastic leisure centre and a theatre and arts centre. There is hope here – we just need someone to represent us at national level.” Bundoran

Bundoran is located just 7km from Ballyshannon but has experienced far greater success economically than its south Donegal counterpart. Tourism is the single biggest driver for the seaside town, with an estimated value to the local economy of €16m to €17m. The industry employs between 900 and 1,000 people.

In addition to this, the large country and western music scene, which takes place every weekend in the town, attracts people from all over the country, as well as people from across the border. This ensures a very active weekend nightlife in the area. The organisation Discover Bundoran drives tourism in the area, which is funded by the annual parking tickets. Bundoran is completely dependent on tourism and the strength of the industry here means the town is a prime example of a rural area doing well.

Westport

If any rural town has been the benchmark for economic progress, it is Westport. Driven by the two Ts –tourism and technology – Westport has largely overcome the difficulties associated with the recession. The major employer in the area is the technology firm Allergan, which employs 800 people from the area, including 250 highly skilled research jobs.

While tourism, pioneered by the Brown Family in Westport House, is a major driver, a different progressive approach is taken in Westport. Destination Westport was set up where the hotels, instead of being in competition, work with each other to attract more and more people to the area. Westport was aided by a Town Design Statement, which was formulated back in 2000, to focus the town’s future development in a centralised economical way. Due to this, the town benefited from the Celtic Tiger.

With 97 voluntary organisations in the town, Westport’s community is to the fore in its development. Government funding has also helped Westport’s development.

Swinford

Located in east Mayo, Swinford and the neighbouring towns of Foxford, Kiltimagh and Charlestown were seen as the black triangle of the west when the downturn kicked in. Few towns in Ireland were hit as hard by the recession as Swinford, with numerous shops and restaurants struggling and closing since 2008.

Internet shopping has greatly affected the smaller shops in the town, as well as shopping outside the town leading to reduced spending within it. Swinford is highly dependent on Baxter, which employs 200 people out of the 650 employed in the town.

Former councillor Joe Mellett believes, however, that Swinford may have turned a corner. He believes that simple measures taken by authorities would be vital to helping not just Swinford but neighbouring towns also.

The potential development of a greenway along the old Collooney to Claremorris railway line, like they have in Westport, would benefit the towns along this so-called black triangle. Initiatives like this will benefit rural towns and have proven successful.

Gorey

There are few towns nationwide doing as well as Gorey in Wexford. The success of the town has been largely attributed to its Main Street, which contains more than 80 businesses and has remained vibrant and busy throughout the depressed years. It also provides the social and cultural hub in the area.

People travelling from the towns of Riverchapel and Courtown for shopping have also been vital to Gorey’s local economy. Tourism in the area increases during the summer months, with the population growing in the surrounding area. Traditionally, the area is synonyms with Dublin tourists, a trend which continues today. The open, accessible practicality of the town, which includes parking, means Gorey is attractive for shoppers. In the past 10 years, €20m has been invested by the council into the centre of the town and this State-aided investment has allowed Gorey to flourish in recent years.

Arklow

The once flourishing industrial town has been down on its luck recently. It has seen big employers leave the area in the past 30 years and has failed to fully recover. The impact of industry locating to the outskirts of town has also left the main street of Arklow depleted, with many criticising the planning structure. Nearly 50 business units have closed along Arklow’s main street alone, in comparison to under five in Gorey. Arklow has huge potential, however. Its accessibility is a major selling point to industry, with the town located on the M11, less than an hour from Dublin. Sylvester Bourke, local county councillor, also believes the proposed plan for a water treatment plant is vital for the town’s future.

“Irish Water’s plan to develop an old industrial building in the town into a water treatment plant is essential for the town. No housing can be approved until we have a treatment plant – and demand for housing here is huge,” he said.