Rural transformations and commdifications; central galway the example of claregalway

Dissertation : Rural Transformations and Commodifications Sub Title : Rural Transformations and Commodifications in Central Galway: The example of Claregalway.

Second Draft Module Code : GG3006 Lecturer: Professor P. Flanagan Student Name: Joseph Kelly Student Number: 109221284 Course: Higher Diploma Arts - Geography Word Count: 9,287 Date : 26/03/2010

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Table of Contents

Chapter 1 – Introduction

Chapter 2 - Literature Review

Chapter 3 - Methodology

C h a p t e r 4 - An a l y s i s a n d F i n d i n g s

Chapter 5 – Conclusion Appendix 1.a. – Questionnaire Survey Interviews Bibliography

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B a c k g r o u n d o f t h e Ar e a The original name for Claregalway was Baile an Chláir, meaning the town of the plain. Other variations of the name in the past were Boilean-Chlair, Clare-yn- dowl and Clare-dúndunal. Today it is known as either Baile Chláir or Baile Chláir na Gaillimhe.

The evidence of sites and monuments in the town such as the ecclesiastical remains and a towerhouse provide evidence of settlement in this area over a long period of time.

T h e F r a n c i s c a n F r i a r y, w h i c h i s a N a t i o n a l M o n u m e n t i s s a i d t o have been founded in 1250.

Claregalway takes a linear form stretching from north of the Clare River to south of the N17 and N18 junction.

The northern extremity of the village comprises of an ecclesiastical cluster with the Castle and the remains of the Franciscan Friary providing an impressive backdrop for the village on the banks of the Clare River.

The western side of the N17 has become substantially developed in recent times with several large commercial developments being completed. A major development consisting of a hotel, leisure centre, offices, pub and apartments at the northwest end of the village and close to the river.

Residential development has occurred predominantly on the western side of the N17 and in the area to the east of N17 and southwest of the N18. The area to the east of both major roads remains undeveloped, except from several one-off houses along the available road frontage.

A large extent of suburban generated development and one-off h o u s i n g h a s o c c u r r e d o n a l l l o c a l r o a d s i n r e c e n t ye a r s r e s u l t i n g i n a n i l l - d e f i n e d v i l l a g e b o u n d a r y. . ( C l a r e g a l w a y P a r i s h H i s t o r y, 2 0 0 2 , p p . 5 ) A G A A c l u b h o u s e a n d A s s o c i a t i o n F o o t b a l l p l a yi n g f i e l d s and a leisure centre are located to the south of the village.

The locality also hosts Corinthians Rugby Football Club on the N17, 1.5km outside the village toward the city.

Today it is better known for its long queues of rush hour traffic, incomplete housing estates and Wedding village theme hosted by the Hotel which is at the centre of this new development.

Amongst the modernisation of the dormitory fringe town there are underlying issues which may have upset the traditional atmospheric of the area. This dissertation intends to explore the transformations which brought the current shape of the locality into being.

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Introduction In this dissertation, the rural transformations and commodifications have been explored through an example of Claregalway, a village which has become a small town on the outskirts of Galway City.

T h e t r a n s f o r m a t i o n s w h i c h h a v e t a k e n p l a c e w e r e a l w a ys e v i d e n t and more so in the past thirty years, finer again in the last f i f t e e n . T h e C e l t i c T i g e r e r a h a d b r o u g h t o p p o r t u n i t y, w e a l t h , e m p l o ym e n t a n d a r i s e i n a d i v e r s e i n c r e a s e d p o p u l a t i o n .

The positive influences of the economic boom also gave rise to other factors which had been overlooked in the creation of villages such as Claregalway and their overnight transformation into present day small towns.

The aims and themes of this dissertation have been explored and contrasted through differing author’s and their published literature. The examination of this literature has given an insight into how transformations have effected those in similar communities from an Irish regional scale to a British and European scale. The studies of this literature both show a comparison and contrast to the current issues which are actively effecting the everday lives who reside and have contact with the locality. The methods used to collect data from the general p u b l i c o f t h e a r e a v a r i e d f r o m q u e s t i o n n a i r e s u r v e ys a n d interviews. These strategies of data collection help to envelope the issues, both positive and negative, which the area encounters at the present day and into the future.

The themes and aims of this dissertation are also projected through the use of graphs and images. Using and examining these iconographic examples will help to encapsulate and describe given situations as well as the characteristics of the locality. The themes of population, spatial development (i.e. housing, infrastructure and amenities), quality of life, community and social change, are explored and how these themes are aligned with the aims of the dissertation.

The aims ranging from examining how these transformations have taken place from a certain point in time to the impacts of the transformations and have these transformations benefited e v e r yo n e i n t h e a r e a . W i t h t h e s e a i m s a n d t h e m e e x p l o r e d emerging issues which may become attached to the initial explorations will be focused upon revealing a complete overview of the transformations which have taken place upon the rurality and local commodifications of the example under examination, Claregalway.

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Literature Review In this dissertation, the field under examination is that of rural transformations and commodifications which have taken place in Claregalway, Central Co.Galway.

The contrasting of literature from an Irish to a European scale may aid in the evaluation of comparison and outline any gaps in which the literature is representing in relation to the topic under examination.

The examples which are aligned to similar change in similar locations are found in past Literature.

The examining of past Literature may indicate a similar pattern of change also raising questions on the areas of difference when related to the given topic of rural transformations and commodifications in the rural-urban fringe 1 of Claregalway: p r e C e l t i c T i g e r e r a t o t h e P r e s e n t D a y.

The principle research questions raised are that of; -

How much transformation has taken place from a certain point in time?

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How these transformations have impacted on the locality and its residents ?

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Are all of these transformations beneficiary to the community and its residents?

The examining of the questions may raise other issues related to any changes which need to be examined in greater detail by t h o s e w h o c a n i m p l e m e n t c h a n g e s m a yb e a d d i t i o n a l a n d / o r improved. The elements of this change which come into question vary from that of population, spatial development (i.e. housing and infrastructure, amenities), perceptions, agricultural decline, quality of life, community cohesion and suggestions on future planning.

The finding of Literature relevant to highlighting the question of how much changes have taken place from a certain point in time?, through Johnston’s(1879, p.336) recording o f C l a r e g a l w a y’ s D . E . D . p o p u l a t i o n i n 1 8 7 1 a s 2 , 5 3 9 .

This literature enables the topic of transformation to compare changes of population from this point in time.

The more recent studies show different examples of changes to similar areas and the example which were chief in influencing any such trend in this locality occurred on a larger scale in the external environment creating a ripple effect on the smaller more parochial environment.

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The transition zone between the city and its suburbs, and the countryside.

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Brunt’s(1990, p.257) study explored the national and regional factors which have influenced these changes, outlining the rise in the population and the increase of rural industrialisation in the West of Ireland’s small towns from 19711986 . Finding such literature which is defined to the exact topic location has been quite difficult, however there are examples of study which have been undertaken in similar environments that directly relate to the topic’s environment.

C a w l e y’ s ( 1 9 7 7 ) s t u d y o f R u r a l I n d u s t r i a l i s a t i o n a n d S o c i a l Change in Western Ireland has outlined the roots of changes which are evident in the present day characteristics of the location.

The evidence of counterurbanisation2 in the late 1970’s and early 1980’s, is a trend which continued in recent years.

C a w l e y’ s s t u d y i s v e r y r e l e v a n t t o t h a t o f w h i c h h a s b e e n explored. The study highlights the growing trend of professional o u t m i g r a t i o n t o r u r a l a r e a s o n t h e f r i n g e s o f G a l w a y c i t y.

Both of Mahon’s(2005) study on perceptions of rural and urban and the study of population change(2007) had also a similarity to C a w l e y’ s s t u d y , i n t h e s e n s e i t h a d e x a m i n e d t h e s o c i a l outcomes which is applicable material in relation to that of the topic under examination. The study consisted of residents perceptions of their area which are situated on the rural urban fringe located in the West of Ireland.

The material expressed by Mahon and Cawley supports the idea of the area under examination underwent changes of a similar nature which is explored in this dissertation.

Horner’s(1999) work which explored the rise in commuting within Ireland which is related to the Celtic Tiger era, outlines the issues which are related to counterurbanisation and the implications of changes which effect rural spatial development , quality of life, local businesses and community cohesion(i.e. dormitory town leading to decline in local service centres use as a meeting place).The problematic traffic issues are a regular e v e r yd a y o c c u r r e n c e i n t h e l o c a l i t y u n d e r e x a m i n a t i o n a n d according to the consensus collected from the population, have been a hindrance on more than one of the issues highlighted in relation to change.McGrath’s(2001) study of rural youth in the West of Ireland clarifies the need for future planning and public p o l i c y t o b e a d j u s t e d w i t h t h e i n c l u s i o n yo u n g p e o p l e ’ s n e e d s , a s i n t h e c a s e o f C l a r e g a l w a y, t h i s e x a c t a r g u m e n t i s m a d e b y t h o s e who have participated in interviews and is very applicable in t e r m s o f a m e n i t i e s a v a i l a b l e t o t h e yo u t h o f t h e a r e a .

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The movement of population and economic activity away from urban areas.

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Ni Laoire’s(2007) article highlights the reasons behind, albeit not alone, migration into the rural from the urban across international boundaries and the perceived effects related to expectations of lifestyle, spatial development and c o m m u n i t y c o h e s i o n ( i n c o m e r - l o c a l ) . I n t h e c a s e o f C l a r e g a l w a y, these expectations have not seen to have been met, due to the response of those who were interviewed. By general consensus, the rural idyll 3, has been distorted by a number of factors found in results and findings of this dissertation.

In contrast, literature from other a parts of Europe, namely that of the U.K. and the Netherlands, have been examined which are similar to that of the subject explored from a European standpoint. Champion’s(1989) literature is indicative of how there is evidence of an earlier occurrence of counterurbanisation has taken place in the terms of the British perspective. The passage stated that the out migration had a l r e a d y b e g u n i n t h e 1 9 6 0 s a n d p e a k e d h i g h e r i n t h e e a r l y ye a r s of the 1970s.The stark contrast of this example and the subject location under examination, is that of the larger British population being dealt with and the term counterurbanisation is being used differently in the dispersal of population from Metropolitan4 areas to smaller Metropolitan areas and nonMetropolitan areas. The spread of population in the early 1970s away from London’s Metropolitan area, fuelled the growth of smaller towns such as Bournemouth and Swindon.

A similar pattern which is examined at this subject location, is not an exact like for like comparison, as it is on a much larger scale. Champion’s literature does stipulate that there are many reasons for such migration in and out of rural areas other than that of counterurbanisation.

Marsden’s(1995) study of the regulating of new rural spaces, highlights the spatio-temporal 5 fix concerned with new development in rural areas within the UK, namely that of Buckinghamshire, Devon and Cumbria. The study is concerned with the commodification of the new rural spatial developments, such as services. Commodification being that of “ the use of private markets rather than public sector allocation mechanisms t o p r o d u c e g o o d s a n d s e r v i c e s ” , i n t h e c a s e o f C l a r e g a l w a y, agriculture in the form of livestock,crops and peat were the traditional commodifications of the area. However, this has c h a n g e d s o m e w h a t o v e r t h e p a s t t w e n t y ye a r s w i t h t h e d e c l i n e o f agriculture. The subject area’s rural spatial development is easily compared to Marsden’s UK examples, as this overall 3

A concept that rural areas are an idyllic setting to reside in comparison to that of an urban area.

Decription of City which is the centre of a colonial or imperial power.

5 Capitalism is an imperfect system which creates problems that need fixing 4

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British trend has taken place sometime before this trend o c c u r r e d i n t h e s u b j e c t l o c a t i o n , C l a r e g a l w a y.

The study which was undertaken by Haartsen(2009) et al, explored the issues of lifestyle, community cohesion and what measures Dutch rural communities have taken to promoting this through the use of a keten 6, or keet, this hang out enhances social relationships of the youth in the area and deters social exclusion of a vulnerable group in the Community. This amenity is promoted by the Government through planning permits needed to erect a structure. A sense of community cohesion is born at a young age and a pride of the keet is expressed through websites and individual logos. Lifestyle benefits as the use of this social space promotes a sense of belonging to a rural area thus quelling any rebellious public acts by instilling respect for the locality through the keten. In relation to Claregalway the lack of promotion of such amenities for the youth of the area are evident as expressed through the questionnaires and interviews.

Indicative evidence of an example of uneven development 7 which is an issue which may raise further questions on the planning of the locality .

Milbourne’s(2007) Journal article on in migration8 into rural communities explores the need for more focused studies to be done on a larger number of areas to overcome assumptions that a r e p l a c e d u p o n t h i s f i e l d o f s t u d y.

However, in the case the UK, he has outlined the pattern of out m i g r a t i o n o f yo u n g p e o p l e f r o m t h e i r a r e a s . T h e s t u d y h a s flagged for more research to be undertaken to understand the reasons of being. In the case of in migration into rural spaces, on a European scale, it is evident that there a large number of Britons purchasing properties, both permanent residence and second homes, in rural areas of France and coastal areas of Spain. This pattern has increased immensely in recent years, attracted by reasonable property prices and lower cost of living which are in these countries and of course influenced by an upsurge in budget airlines. Across the international boundaries there is evidence that there is a creation of new rural spaces which are subject to multiple nationalities and hybrid communities. As Claregalway was examined through interviews and questionnaires, the identities of Italian, Brazilian, Polish and English appeared throughout the research. Some of the English born who were questioned were of Irish extract and members of

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A Dutch meaning for an Outshed or Caravan situated at the back of rural residence where small groups of youths meet and socialise on private family property, under the supervision of the parents who live on the property .

7 On a multitude of scales, the condition of an economy which has not benefited equally from development either in a spatial sense and/or within classes in society.

8 Migration of people into an area

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the Irish diaspora9 who have expatriated back to reside where t h e i r o r i g i n a l r o o t s l i e i n C l a r e g a l w a y.

Evaluation of the literature related to the topic of Rural Transformations and Commodifications is the main theme and it has been narrowly focused on an area which is a living example of such changes over an era of time. The studies which are explored in this literature review can not be directly compared, but some the studies explored are similar in context to that of which has been examined.The studies which are compared from an Irish to European scale have been juxtaposed in accounts which are relative to the aims of the dissertation location.

Brunt’s(1990) published work has outlined the account of external factors which have influenced the rise in population and the increase of rural industrialisation in the region of West of Ireland.This is a general finding and a chief force of change placed upon the forces which are affected by this on a local scale.Cawley’s(1977) explains the local situation clearer as the trend discovered of counterurbanisation into the rural fringes of Galway City had taken place in the late 1970s and early 1980s.

The location under examination is in this exact area, located seven miles form Galway City. Champion’s (1989) study had compared this to the British example and the fringes of London which absorbed this change in towns like Swindon and Bournemouth.

Mahon’s(2005&2007) study concentrated on the perceptions of residents in the fringes of Galway City and the study has similarity of Champion’s UK example, as the subject of population change is examined in both studies.

The Irish example of Horner’s study on commuting and particularly that of spatial development, the study is applicable t o t h a t o f C l a r e g a l w a y’ s r u r a l t r a n s f o r m a t i o n a s t h e o n g o i n g traffic problem is met with distain by those who were sampled.

Marsden’s British examples are compared with this as the regulating of new rural spaces came under the spotlight and the uneven development in rural areas in the UK. The questions of national regulation on local and regional issues c o m e u n d e r s c r u t i n y, t h i s h a s b e e n h i g h l i g h t e d i n H o r n e r ’ s s t u d y that upsurge of commuting has been a familiar pattern in Galway since the early 1990’s. The scrutiny of such uneven development in the form of congestion has been evident in the response of those who have been interviewed and sampled through questionnaires.

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The dispersion of people from their homelands.

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The study undertaken by McGrath examined the social e x c l u s i o n o f r u r a l yo u t h u p t o 2 5 ye a r s o l d , i n t h e r u r a l restructuring10 of the West of Ireland. The study had found that t h e r e w a s a n e g l e c t o f yo u t h n e e d s a n d t h e i r e n c o u n t e r s i n t h e socio-spatial transformation of rural areas. The point of restructuring of place leads to the restructuring of social relationships in places and the planning and policy issues surrounding restructuring need to engage with young people’s l i v e s i n m o r e r e a l a n d i n d e p e n d e n t w a y. T h e s a m p l i n g o f p e o p l e in Claregalway have mentioned the need for amenities and relative traffic controls which are applicable for the youth of the area. In comparison from a European example, Haartsen’s study of the rural youth in Holland outlined the use of the Keten and its positive influence on youth culture. This organised social control has benefited the social relationships of the marginalised youth and their community outside of the Keten, the positive relationship of those involved in the Keten has promoted a sense of belonging and are aligned with the general needs of adolescents. The private amenity is promoted by government as planning permits have to be acquired before the establishment can be constructed. The social relationships which are constructed in the Keten are transferred into rural society that is living outside its environs.

Ni Laoire’s work on the return migration and the repopulation of rural Ireland reflects a similar pattern to that of the topic location. The return migration of expatriates to their place of origin is known from speaking with those who were sampled in the questionnaires. Any of those who were sampled and had came from England, had lived in North London for some time in their lives and as they had relations in the area, assimilation did not seem to be obstructed. This did affect the area through the form of repopulation by those who had left some decades previous. In contrast to Milbourne’s study in relation to Britons migrating into rural communities in France a n d S p a i n , t h e r e a s o n s f o r b e i n g h a d b e e n m a i n l y f o r l i f e s t yl e choices, although the repatriated Irish had a blood tie with their area they still migrated for lifestyle as well as economic pull factors11 in the era of the Celtic Tiger.

Both studies of the aforementioned do reflect the pattern in Claregalway and reinforce the reasons for transformations regarding population and the ethnic profile of the area.

The return migrants from the diaspora in London did not r e p r e s e n t a l l t yp e s o f d i f f e r e n c e o n t h e p o p u l a t i o n a s m i g r a n t s from Northern Ireland, Poland, Italy and Croatia were sampled through the questionnaires. The literature explored were inclusive of the aims of the dissertation which would lean toward favourable selection of the academia used.

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Change in the economic make up of the countryside.

A positive factor exerted by a locality causing the people to move to.

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The findings in the literature chosen to the topic under examination are closer in terms of relevance to the broader topic of Rural Transformations and Commodifications, however, the literature which is closer to the more focused topic,Claregalway, are the Irish examples and especially that of those studies c o n d u c t e d o n t h e f r i n g e s o f G a l w a y C i t y, n a m e l y t h a t o f C a w l e y’ s ( 1 9 7 7 ) a n d M a h o n ’ s ( 2 0 0 5 & 2 0 0 7 ) s t u d i e s .

Both studies had reflected and explained the influencing factors relating to the transformations which have taken place in the area.These studies had highlighted the reasons of transformation relating to population, perceptions and profile of migrants and the overruling reasons for counterurbanisation, rural industrialisation and rural repopulation.

Similarities from these studies did emerge when undertaking the r e s e a r c h i n t h e t o p i c l o c a t i o n o f C l a r e g a l w a y. T h e t w o s t u d i e s are aligned with the aims of this dissertation and what it will discover.

Ni Laoire’s study of return migration is applicable to this dissertation topic but is not examined closely in the context of being a major factor of transformation in the case of Claregalway. Horner’s commuting study is indirectly linked to the aims and topic examined as it has outlined the rise in such a m e t h o d o f t r a v e l i n t h e g e n e r a l a r e a o f G a l w a y, h o w e v e r i t d o e s reinforce the consensus of those who participated in the research but the study does not outline the traffic congestion problems which are evident through the consensus of research.

McGrath’s study is very applicable to the topic and the location u n d e r e x a m i n a t i o n , t h e yo u t h i n t h e l o c a l i t y h a d s u f f e r e d n e g l e c t in relation to the planning of amenities, however the area he had examined is not the same location but it is a rural part of Co.Galway in which is relevant to youth of the area examined as needs of the same demographic are quite similar.

The study done by Haartsen et al, of the rural youth culture i n H o l l a n d s e t s a c o n t r a s t i n t e r m s o f l i f e s t yl e o f t h o s e s i t u a t e d elsewhere in the E.U. and are inclusive of planning strategies laid down upon rural communities. The relevance of this study is highlighted through the consensus gather by research that the a m e n i t i e s a r e f o u n d w a n t i n g a n d e x c l u s i v e o f t h e yo u t h ’ s p a r t i n the community. Other author’s set in contrast have issues which are relevant to that of the dissertation topic, however there are similarities and gaps in the examples used as the similar in the trend of actions and reactions from greater national and regional forces but are differing in the scale as Champion’s Metropolitan out migration happened earlier, also across greater and different demographic types and numbers. Marsden’s views on uneven spatial rural development have similar characteristics to that of the subject location which is examined, however it is again on a 11

larger scale and may need further research to divide all the reasons of what is researched for a definitive closer comparison to that of the exact reasons which is posed in the subject location. The examples which are non Irish are mainly set in contrast to what is the given situation to that of the Irish examples and to suggest similarity but also to outline what future changes may take place which could be of better benefit to the location under examination, Claregalway.

Methodology This research was conducted over a period of five months in the subject area. I chose Claregalway for the sampling of Rural Transformations and Commodifications, as it is a worthy example which would express this change from pre Celtic Tiger era to the present day. I am from the area and have resided t h e r e f o r m a n y ye a r s , g a i n i n g s o c i a l c a p i t a l a n d f a m i l i a r i t y w i t h the people in the locality. The research was designed to obtain data through the medium of questionnaires and also by interviews recorded with a Dictaphone. The design of the questions on the questionnaires were aided by my Supervisor, Professor P.Flanagan . The pilot survey consisted of 10-12 questionnaires being dropped in two places of business and being picked up the following week on my return to Claregalway from Cork. This sample was satisfied and returned to Professor Flanagan who kept these for further investigation.

The questions recorded via Dictaphone were of my own design and had an open ended structure.

I undertook four of these interviews with figures from different spectrums, Paul Gill a local hotelier, Leighton Morrison a fitness instructor who originally hails form Derbyshire,UK, P.J. Moran, a Local Company director of small to medium business and Antoine Nimic, a local Mechanic originally from Croatia. The questionnaires questions were designed to obtain a consensus of the transformation which took place and capture differing views of people from differing backgrounds, nationalities, length of residency and perceptions.

The methods of closed questions were exercised by using Likert method and Rank scale method. These methods were used to add a numerical and calculated measurement on the questions asked so to express the responses which could be rationalised and reinforced. The strategies I used for conducting q u e s t i o n n a i r e s u r v e ys w e r e c a r e f u l l y p i c k e d t o r e p r e s e n t t h e differing demographics in the area. Due to my current residence in Cork there was a distance factor which I had to work around. I had to initially gain the trust of those who were sampled by having an introductory “chat� about the subject. When it was a g r e e d I h a d i n i t i a l l y h a d u s e d t h e d r o p a n d p i c k u p s t r a t e g y.

After following up and putting subtle pressure on the people involved they gladly helped and I managed to obtain 30 of these 12

questionnaires. There were many questionnaire amongst this left unfinished, yielded a full and total response.

With this strategy exhausted I had to “take to the streets” and obtain the data there and then, this took sometime as most people were not available to comment on the subject at the given t i m e . A f t e r m u c h p e r s u a d i n g a n d a s k i n g n i c e l y, I e v e n t u a l l y g o t the last 10 questionnaires of the sample satisfied. I to conduct face to face interviews with the questionnaire in hand with a clipboard . I took 8 more questionnaires from using this strategy and had acquired the final 2 questionnaire samples by getting telephone numbers off both and calling them at a “less busier time during the weekdays” as one person told me .

This was fine as they kept their word and the sample was fulfilled.

The justification of the questionnnaire design broke down into different parts which were outlining the reflection of this change. The first five questions were based upon educational s t a t u s , o c c u p a t i o n a n d l e n g t h o f t i m e e m p l o ye d i n t h e occupation, if Farming was the full time occupation and the length of residency. The next four questionnaires concentrated o n h o u s i n g t y p o l o g y; d e t a c h e d / s e m i - d e t a c h e d , r o o m s p e r h o u s e , persons per house, cars per house. The next five questions focused on getting a an idea of the consensus regarding perceptions on transformations of those who were sampled.

They varied from open and rank scale orientated questions.

The next question explored the effect of transformations on social interaction in the locality. The rank scale method was e m p l o ye d f o r t h i s q u e s t i o n . T h e d e c l i n e i n a g r i c u l t u r e w a s t h e f o c u s o f t h e n e x t q u e s t i o n w i t h t h e r a n k s c a l e m e t h o d e m p l o ye d to obtain a numerical aspect on this question.

The next three questions were based upon the commodifications or service use in the area. These questions were different in method as the rank scale and likert method were both used t o c a p t u r e a s e n s e o f u s a g e a n d e f f e c t o n t h e c o m m u n i t y.

The final two questions were open ended and the penultimate question concentrated on the asking the people what they thought was the traditional commodity of the area, with the last asking what was the most important changes which the saw in the past 10 years. This would reinforce any similar trends found in the close ended questions which were previously asked.

Both qualitative and quantitative methods were used to implicate the aims of the dissertation by measuring and indicating what transformations were particularly notable.

The former methods gathered the perceptions and emotions concerning the transformations, the use of interviews, open ended questions within the questionnaire and pictures were all mechanisms in this process. These mechanisms enabled the 13

dissertation to gain a humanistic edge in regard of projecting the general consensus from the people sampled.

The quantitative methods were tallied from some of the closed ended questions which were in the form of Likert and Rank scale method. The tallies were entered into excel and calculated through this medium. The figures from the closed ended question results were calculated some of which were numerical transformed to percentages through the excel program. This applicable for the questions concerning; Educational Status (as there was a minimal 3 variables to be c o u n t e d u p ) , H o u s i n g t yp e ( a s t h e r e w a s o n l y 2 v a r i a b l e s t o b e tallied). The questions which had been ranked with a singular numerical value had ranked with sets of scores, tallied and transformed into percentages. This would project a greater sense on the majority of the findings amongst the consensus of the sample.

The use of qualitative techniques provided a mathematical encapsulation and rationalisation of data which can be projected t h r o u g h g r a p h s a n d t a b l e s , t h i s e n a b l e s a c l e a r e r p h ys i c a l a n d tangible simplified understanding of the results of the questions asked. The graphs used varied from pie graphs, bar and line graphs(see Appendix 1a).

The numerical overall sample value was 40, which could easily be ranked, implanted and interpreted into these graphs according to the number scored in the rankings of the question.

The use of comparative analysis of a number of data sets came into being by refining two sets of data which complimented each other such as rooms per house and Persons per house, Cars per house and persons per house and use of local services and use of non local services(otherwise known as another service centre).(See Appendix 1a. Tables 5,6,&14).

This use of these comparative graphs helped to produce physical evidence of correlation of all data sets which were presented. In these certain situations refinement of methods were necessary.

14

An a l y s i s a n d R e s u l t s T h e a n a yl s i s a n d r e s u l t s o f t h e s u r v e y s a n d i n t e r v i e w s had shed a lot of light in terms of the aims of the dissertation.

T h e i s s u e s r a i s e d i n t h e s u r v e ys a n d t h r o u g h i n t e r v i e w s d i d f i n d similarity of situations in a number of the published literature and the issues which were studied by those authors. Examining t h e s u r v e ys t h e f i r s t q u e s t i o n w h i c h w a s b a s e d o n e d u c a t i o n a l status had found that a large majority of those who were sampled had a Third level education which varied across different sectors. A large number of people in the surveys who had a second level education were long term residents. These people from personal knowledge would have from an older g e n e r a t i o n i n w h i c h f i n i s h i n g s t u d yi n g a t s e c o n d l e v e l w o u l d have been a norm in a national context.

This indicates the transformation in the education status of the village with an over whelming majority achieving degrees or diploma at third level.

Figure 1. Educational Status

Educational Status

2nd Level 28%

3rd Level 2nd Level 1st Level

3rd Level 67%

1st Level 5%

Source: Questionnaire The next two questions focused on occupation and farming, all of who were very open and answered these questions. In regard of occupation there were only four people out of the forty s a m p l e d u n e m p l o y e d , t h e b u s i n e s s t h e y h a d b e e n e m p l o ye d i n were trades(Carpenter,Electrician,Mechanic) and a property agent. Three of the forty sampled had been involved in Farming w h e t h e r p a r t t i m e o r f u l l t i m e . A l l t h r e e o f t h e m e n s u r v e ye d were all involved in Farming for over forty years and all strongly 15

agreed with the eminent decline in agriculture in the area. The views expressed on the decline of agriculture were mixed as many new residents had not the awareness of its importance in times gone past, however there was a majority who had noticed the decline as illustrated next.

Table 11.a. Index of Rankings in Question 18 5 = Strongly Agree 4 = Agree 3 = Not Sure 2 = Disagree 1 = Strongly Disagree

Figure 11 Percentage value that Felt a decline in Agriculture 1 2 5 0% 8% 13%

3 30%

4 49%

Source; Questionnaire The question concerning length of residency, produced a balanced account from the sample.

Singularly the one demographic which had the majority were that of the 20+ or long term residents of the village, however this was balanced when the categories of 5-10 & 0-5 were added together giving the exact same figure as the majority which stood 44% each. This would indicate that there is quite a number of n e w c o m e r s t o t h e a r e a i n t h e l a s t t e n ye a r s , w h i c h c o r r e l a t e s t o the studies undertaken by Cawley and Mahon regarding the rise of population on the fringes of Galway City due to rural industrialisation and counterurbanisation.

Figure.2

16

Length of Residence

No.years Residing

40 20+ 15-20 44%

20

10--15 17%

12%

27% 5--10 0--5

0 0 1

Source:Questionnaire

Questions regarding that of housing type amazingly struck an exact harmonious balance. The share of people who lived in detached and semi-detached homes were equal both sharing fifty percent of the overall tally of which was sampled.

Figure 3.

Com parsion of Housing Types in w hich Sample Population Resides

50%

50%

Detached Semi-Detached

Source: Questionnaire This is indicative of the many housing which were built in the l a s t t w e l v e ye a r s w h i c h c o n t a i n s e m i - d e t a c h e d h o u s e s a s I k n o w form personal knowledge that there had been a majority of d e t a c h e d h o u s e s i n t h e a r e a b e f o r e t h e b o o m ye a r s o f t h e C e l t i c T i g e r . T h i s i s a l s o r e f l e c t e d i n t h e s u r v e ys a s m a n y l o n g t e r m residents show a strong relationship with detached dwellings.

Both the next Plates 1.a and 1.b. demonstrate the difference in h o u s i n g t yp e s i n C l a r e g a l w a y .

Plate1.a An Mainsteir Est. Plate 1.b. Malachy Hession’s old pub

17

Source; Author’s Camera

Source;Author’s Camera

This is illustrated above in both plates, An Mainsteir ( T h e F r i a r y) , b u i l t i n 2 0 0 1 , i n P l a t e 1 . a c o n t a i n s s e m i d e t a c h e d dwellings this is contrast to Plate 1.b, Malachy Hessions, former grocery and pub which is one of the original dwellings in the village. The grand age of this dwelling is noted by the jostle stone(Cloch Sleamhnain) which was used to prevent horse carts from colliding with the corner of the building.

(Claregalway Parish History pictorial,2002,p.276) Rooms per house were explored and the projection of the wealth of the area was considerably noted by a majority of houses having four bedrooms per house belonging to that I sampled.

What also indicative of the relative wealth of the area is that those tallies that were next down from the 4 bedroom rank were that of 6 and 5 bedrooms with a combined tally of 42% when added together. This is illustrated next in Table and Figure 4.

Table 4. Rooms per House of person sampled Rooms per hse 6+ Rooms 6 Rooms 5 Rooms 4 Rooms 3 Rooms 2 Rooms 1 Rooms Total Numerical/Percentage

#

% 1 9 8 14 5 3 0

3% 22% 20% 34% 13% 8% 0%

40

100%

Figure. 4. Rooms per house

18

Sum Totals of Room s per House per Category Sam pled

6+ Rooms

40

6 Rooms 30

5 Rooms

20

4 Rooms

34% 22%

10

20%

3 Rooms 13%

3%

8%

2 Rooms

0

1 Rooms

0

Figure Source: Questionnaire

To refine methods, I found a distinct correlation between Rooms per house and that of persons per house in the following question in the questionnaire. As illustrated next in Table and figure 5.

Table 5a.

Rank # 1= 2= 3= 4= 5= 6=

Rooms per house 6 rooms 5 rooms 4 rooms 3 rooms 2 rooms 1 rooms

Person per House 5+ 4 3 2 1 0

Figure 5.

Comparative Bar Graph of Rooms per house and Persons per house

34%

32% 27% 25%

20%

18%

Rooms per House

18%

Persons per House

13%

5%

5%

0%

1

0%

2

3

4

5

6

Source: Questionnaire This reinforced the relative wealth of the area being of high standard as there was at least one spare bedroom per person per house sampled. This projection of wealth was also reflected 19

on the on the ratio of 132 people to 79 cars or 63% to 37% proportion of persons to cars in the area. As illustrated in Table and Figure 6. below.

Total No. of Persons per house compared with Total Amount of Cars per House

63%

Persons per house 132 63%

Amount per Cars 79 37%

Persons per house Amount per Cars

37%

Figure Source: Questionnaire These findings also relate to Horner’s study concerning commuting in 1999 and how the use of the car for travelling had increased.

The next question in the survey focused on the rank scale method to measure impact of changes of the residency, this incorporated both reflections from the survey and comments from the Dictaphone interviews.

An overwhelming majority had witnessed that the transformations h a d a v e r y c l e a r i m p a c t o n e v e r yd a y l i f e p r o j e c t i n g a s t r o n g 4 2 % majority of the survey subject.

As Illustrated in Table and Figure 7 below.

Table 7. Impact of Changes Ranked and Scored in Percentage 40 = 100% Numerical Value Percentage Value

5

4

3

2

1

17

9

10

1

3

42%

23%

24%

3%

8%

Table 7.a. Index of Rankings in Question.12 5 = Very clear impact on everyday life personally and for others 4 = Everyday life affected for others but not so much personally 3 = Change was to be expected for all 2 = Doesn’t really affect anyone concerned 1 = Not aware of any major changes

Figure 7.

20

Rate of Impact of Changes which have taken place

40 35 30 Totals of the no. 25 of persons 20 Sam pled 15 10 5 0

5=42% 4=23%

3=24% 2=3%

1=8%

Source: Questionnaire Plate 1.a.Traffic streaming in and out

Source:Author The interview conducted back this reflection in commentary form as local hotelier, Mr. Paul Gill (Interview #1) estimates that the Traffic problems have a “considerable hit to the expected annual revenue and that the could be costing all the businesses of area a lack of expected revenue”. This has been evident in almost all of the respondents’ comments on the survey except for a small amount.

Mr. Leighton Morrison (Interview#2), a local teacher and father of one Junior infant, has been a resident in An Mainsteir estate f o r t h r e e ye a r s n o w a n d h a s n o t i c e d t h e t r a f f i c f l o w p r o b l e m a s being the most prominent negative characteristic of the village Remarking that “it is not a child friendly village and this is a very young village, I don ’t think they(authorities) realise how much traffic comes from Sligo and that, if I wanted to take the child out for a walk, alright they extended the footpath but it’s much t o o d a n g e r o u s w i t h t h e b i g t r u c k s a n d c r a zy f o l k h e l p i n g themselves to the bus lanes, the recent flooding aside, it’s a bypass is what we really need ”.

A n o t h e r l o c a l r e s i d e n t w h o h a s b e e n a r e s i d e n t f o r 3 3 ye a r s , M r .

P.J. Moran(Interview#3) has added to this by saying “ Its always the cart before the horse with planning, there ’s 37,000 vehicle movements a day going through either one way or the other, 22 years ago there was a planning application was lodged to build a Bypass around Claregalway and year in, year out T.D.’s are still 21

getting elected on the promise of it, the Bypass is the only solution cause right now its only a shtop gap for people they want to go straight through to get out of the traffic”.

This significant increase over a prolonged period of time in traffic, has also achieved notice in local media as Fine Gael member, Michael Eames stated in response to the o p e n i n g o f t h e B u s / C yc l e l a n e s b y M i n i s t e r N o e l D e m p s e y i n Claregalway(at a costE3.3 million for 134 bus movements per day) “ With 40,000 vehicle movements per day, it would be risking the lives to cycle or let a child cycle through the village ”.

(Galway Advertiser, May 2009).

Minister Dempsey’s statement in the same article consisted of: “If we are to persuade people to use public transport, surely we need to make sure that it is efficient, reliable and attractive.

Here in Claregalway there has for some time been a bottleneck for buses”.

O n e o f M i n i s t e r D e m p s e y’ s f e l l o w t r a v e l l e r s a n d p a r t y m e m b e r s to the area,namely Mr. Frank Fahey had claimed sometime ago that “the N.R.A(National Roads Authority) would not build a Bypass as the upgrade of the N17 to a dual carriageway had been fast tracked by three years. This would solve the problem in Claregalway”. (Sunday Business Post, May 2007) Horners study in 1999 had shown similar trends, however much dismay seems to have filled the consensus from the surveys and interviews from the people residing in Claregalway.

The benefits to the locality in the next question seem to show a stark contradiction to what has been found by the intial consensus, almost been overshadowed by what has said and found. The reasons being for this contradiction could be related to the bias of business owners relating this to profit from which many were surveyed. This trend is reflected in table and graph 9 below.

Table 9.

Table 9.a. Index of Rankings in Question 14 5 = Most Definitely 4 = Definitely 3 = Some asoects have benefitted others not so much 2 = Not Sure 1 = Not Aware of any Benefits

22

Figure.9.

Percentage Felt that Changes Benefitted Locality Most Definitely 100% Definitely

80% 60%

42%

40%

Some aspect benefitted others not

26% 23%

20%

0%

Not Sure

9%

0%

Not aw are of any benefits

1

The overall trend and perception counteracts this as the ongoing traffic, housing and amenities issues seem to have impinged upon a complete positive discourse regarding the transformations. The establishment of what exact perceptions of benefit may yield further research to clarify the difference in opinion as many who were sampled did have negative points toward the transformations, as found in the final open ended question, in which the clear trend of negative implications Such as traffic jams and lack of amenities were an eminent feature in nearly all of the survey questionnaires.

The question in the survey relating to familiarity with present day neighbours reflected the openness and friendliness of the community with an staggering 60% majority admitting that they w o u l d t r y t o g e t t o k n o w a l l i n v o l v e d i n t h e c o m m u n i t y, t h i s w a s reciprocal as many Poles, Italians, Northern Irish, and Croatian were respondents in the survey.

W i t h o n e i n t e r v i e w e e , M r . P . J . M o r a n , s a yi n g t h a t “ Blow-ins are generally accepted now, the local businesses have helped this happen� . This is illustrated next in Tables and Figures 10.

Table. 10 (40=100%).

Familarity w/ Neighbours Numerical Value Percentage Value

5 2 5%

4 6 15%

3 24 60%

2 2 5%

1 6 15%

Table 10.a. Index of Rankings in Question 16.

5 = I would not know as many as I used to 4 = I would know some newcomers 3 = I would try to get to know all involved in the community 2 = I feel that anyone involved in groups in the community are part of it.

1 = I am very open to all peoples living in the locality

Figure 10

23

Total % Sampled

Percentages of Familarity with Present Day Neighbours 100% 90% 80% 70% 60% 50% 40% 30%

60%

20% 10% 0%

15%

15%

5% 1

5% 2

3

4

5

Source : Questionnaire This is a very positive sign of the future of the locality and referring back to Ni Laoire’s study of return migration and in relation of my own observations that assimilation had not been hard come by. The overall trend seems to be one of openness, community and a good spirited nature. The pressing issues have hinted a trend that people residing in this community remain to be welcoming to those who have come from a far to be part of the community.

Plate2.a. A Croatian, but a Local.

Source: Author’s In Plate 2.a. we see Antoine Nimic, the Croatian Centre Forward for the local football team, Mechanic and survey respondent. A much liked local character, he has been in the l o c a l i t y f o r f i v e ye a r s n o w . T h i s I f i n d i s o n e o f t h e p o s i t i v e characteristics of openness and friendliness in the town/village.

This is very relative to the findings of the next question concerning social interaction of the area transforming over time The was a mixed sense relating to these finding either through lack of awareness or being involved in a community group.

These findings are illustrated below in Tables and Figures 10.

24

Table.11 Percentage Felt of Social Interaction Change Numerical Value Percentage Value

5 10 28.50%

4 10 28.50%

3 9 26%

2 2 6%

1 4 11%

Table 11a. Index of Rankings in Question 17 5 = Strongly Agree 4 = Agree 3 = Not Sure 2 = Disagree 1 = Strongly Disagree Figure 11 3 26%

5 29%

2 6%

1 11%

4 28%

Percentage agreed on Changes of Social Interaction

Source; Questionnaire

When added there was an overall agreement that there was transformation in Social Interaction, however a sizable amount did say that they were not sure. This could be from a detachment form social groups or general lack of awareness.

The overall consensus is that there is a clear transformation in social interaction in the locality.

The Commodifications of the area were examined in the next few questions as the correlation is made between use of local service centre and use of non local service centre.

T h e c o r r e l a t i o n i s e x p r e s s e d t h r o u g h g r a p h i c a l a n d l i k e r t t yp e presentations as seen in the next Illustration in Tables and Figures12.

Table 12.a. Likert Scale of Response.

25

Use of Services per Week Numerical Value /40 Percentage Value

More than Twice

Twice 31 77%

Another Service Centre per Week Numerical Value/40 Percetanage Value

Once

Twice 13 32%

Once

1 3%

3 7%

Never 4 10%

More than Twice 17 41%

4 10%

Never 8 20%

Table 12. Comparative Data of Local and Non Local Service Use Rank Choices ;Local/non local Percentage Value;Local Percentage Value;NonLocal

1=More than Twice/Once

2=Twice/Twice 77% 32%

3% 7%

3=Once/More than Twice 10% 41%

4=Never/Never 10% 20%

Figure 12.

Com parative Bar Graphs of the use of service centres;Local and non local 100% 80%

77% Times a w eek to use local services

60% 40%

41% 32%

20% 7% 3%

0% 1

2

10% 3

20% 10%

Times a w eek to use another service centre

4

T h e r e i s a c l e a r i n d i c a t i o n t h a t m o s t o f t h o s e s u r v e ye d u s e the local service centre rather than non local service centres more than twice a week and that the relationship between using the local service centre more than twice a week rather than a non local service centre is overshadowed by the former variable with 45% in the difference. There is a still a high number of people using a non local service centre more than twice a week, t h i s i s p r o b a b l y b e c a u s e o f t h e p r o x i m i t y t o t h e C i t y’ s o u t e r r e t a i l parks and a greater selection of items available in the City.

The last question in the survey is open ended and asked the respondents to name the most important changes in the past ten years, it could not go unnoticed that lack of amenities kept r e o c c u r r i n g f r o m r e s p o n d e n t s s u r v e ys . I n m y o w n o b s e r v a t i o n s I have been reminded of McGrath’s study and that of Haartsen et al, as I had seen young adolescents wander the estates and meeting on a mound of disused building gravel, this is illustrated next.

P l a t e 3 . a . Yo u t h s o n t h e e s t a t e

26

Source;Author’s Plate 3.b Youths meeting on a mound

Source; Author

Plate3.c. is Plate 3.b.in Zoom

Source; Author

Plate 3.d. The ground in which the mound was situated

Source; Author

Plate 3.a. shows these youths wandering the estate on a Saturday afternoon going to met the friends on this mound illustrated in Plate 3.b. and 3.c., Plate 3.d. shows the area in which the mound was situated and the estate the youths had wandered around.Through the learning of Haartsen’s study the options which have been found are related to rural Holland and the youths which have a meeting place in their locality the keten as illustrated next in Plate 3.e. and Plate 3.f.

Plate 3.e. A keet in Northern Holland

Plate 3.f. another keet in Northern Holland

27

Source; Haartsen et al,(2009) pp.2.

Source; Haartsen et al,(2009) p.2

This contrast in finding relates very much to the general consensus in the lack of Amenities everybody and especially the youth of the area as Mr.Leighton Morrison said “that is a very young village” . The search for alternative ways to deal with existing problems is evidently clear by these findings. and added to this in an interview conducted, Mr. P.J. Moran a l s o r e m a r k e d s t r o n g l y o n t h e l a c k a m e n i t i e s b y s a yi n g “ T h e n e x t s ys t e m o f p l a n n i n g s h o u l d b e i n p r o p o r t i o n t o t h a t o f infrastructure development with certain amount of houses should c o m e t h e a m e n i t i e s t o c a t e r f o r t h a t p o p u l a t i o n i n c r e a s e o f yo u n g families , this would show an example of social responsibilty in future developments”.

This highlight of poor planning was not only found in amenities but also that of Housing developments and particularly those in t h e l a s t t e n ye a r s . I n t h e s a m e e s t a t e u n f i n i s h e d h o u s e s w e r e o n display to the general public, as illustrated in Image 4.a. below Plate. 4.a.The unfinished symphony!!

Source; Author

T h e s e h o u s e s w e r e s i t u a t e d n o l e s s t h a n 2 0 0 ya r d s f r o m w h e r e the youths were socialising. In my own words it is almost like a “posh dereliction” in a well thought of area. This is evidence of an overall trend of the ripple effect concerning the external f a c t o r s p r e yi n g a n i n f l u e n c e o n t h e s m a l l e r d e p e n d e n t communites of rural Ireland.

The aims of the dissertation have been touched upon by the findings and it seems that there is a growing discontent toward 28

the transformations how they have effected the locality and its r e s i d e n t s a n d t h e b e n e f i t s f o r e v e r yb o d y s e e m t o b e f e w r a t h e r than the negative implications of the transformations.

No doubt that there has been many transformations in recent years with the coming of the Celtic Tiger and even before then.

The population in the village itself has risen notably from 953 in 1986 to 1,635 in 2002, an increase of 48.4% (Claregalway Local Area Plan 2005-2011,2005,pp.4-5).

The noted changes have been noticed by a vast majority of respondents to surveys and interviews. The largest withstanding p r o b l e m i s t h a t o f t h e m i s m a n a g e m e n t o f t h e l o c a l i t y’ s Traffic flow issues, With Mr.Paul Gill claiming that it has “sapped the community of all spirit” (Sunday Business Post, May 2007), he also proposed in an i n t e r v i e w h e l d w i t h m ys e l f t h a t “ T h e T o w n o r V i l l a g e n e e d s a 2 0 year plan to find a right heart or centre for the place and to sort out these Traffic issues”.

It seems that the area of population increase, Traffic congestion and lack of amenities on return of the general consensus s u r v e ye d .

29

Conclusion The rural transformations and commodifications of Claregalway have been ongoing over time and the most notable transformations occurring from the period of the Celtic Tiger(1994-2008) to the present day. The literature review had outlined the similarity and contrast of similar changes which have taken place in similar environments. The most notable likeness of environment are found in those studies which were conducted on the fringes of Galway City such as Cawley’s(1977) and Mahon’s(2005&2007) and had established that the greatest transformations occurred from a certain point in time.

The national commuting study undertaken by Horner(1999) had shown its relativity to the traffic situation which has been a deep r o o t e d c o n c e r n o f t h o s e w h o s u r v e ye d a n d i n t e r v i e w e d .

McGrath’s study had helped outline the issues relating to the lack of amenities especially for the youth of the area, this had been examined through iconography in the locality with a stark c o n t r a s t b e i n g s h o w n i n t h e e x a m p l e o f D u t c h yo u t h s w h i c h a r e from a similar environment.

The contrasting literature which was taken from a British and European point of view aided the development of concepts regarding the need for alternative methods in dealing with existing problems. The contrasting literature did also point the differences in spatial size and population.

The methodology used to obtain the hard data from the people h a d b e e n t h a t o f q u e s t i o n n a i r e s u r v e ys a n d i n t e r v i e w s .

These two methods help sculpt the emotions of the people toward the issues of population, spatial development, quality of life, community cohesion and future planning issues.

The use of graphs and images helped capture the indications of the transformations in more of tangible form.

T h e s u r v e ys h a d o b t a i n e d t h e d a t a t h r o u g h t h e r a n k s c a l e a n d l i k e r t t yp e q u e s t i o n s . T h e u s e o f t h e s e s u r v e y s t r a t e g i e s h a d further develop the results of the questions into numerical then graphical form, thus reflecting a rational and measured response from the people sampled. The findings had ranged over many different categories which helped to explain the aims and themes of the dissertation, even some background issues came to the f o r e t h r o u g h t h e s u r v e yi n g a n d i n t e r v i e w i n g o f t h e l o c a t i o n .

T h e s u r v e ys h a d s h a p e d t h e p e r c e p t i o n s a n d g e n e r a l e m o t i o n s o f the area through numerical in the close ended questions and commentaries in the open ended questions. The interviews had discover a general distain for the current situation regarding transformations which included traffic flow problems, lack of amenities and what the future holds for the planning of the area.

With the findings highlighting the initial aims and themes of the dissertation, the notion that further research would be applicable to this locality as it is a good example of the current ongoing 30

economic turmoil and rural mismanagement which effects the I r i s h c o u n t r y s i d e t o t h i s p r e s e n t d a y.

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Bibliography Johnston,A.K.,(1879),Johnston’s General Gazetteer,Longman, London,pp.336 Brunt.B,(1990),Western Europe; A Social and Economic G e o g r a p h y, G i l l a n d M a c M i l l a n , D u b l i n , p p . 2 5 7 C a w l e y, M . , ( 1 9 7 7 ) , R u r a l I n d u s t r i a l i s a t i o n a n d S o c i a l C h a n g e i n Western Ireland, Socialogia Ruralis,19:1,pp.43-57 Mahon.M,(2005),Articulating perceptions of rural and urban—the use of semantic scales , Irish Geography,38:2,pp.192-208 Mahon.M,(2007), New populations : The changing experience of Irish rural space and place , Journal of Rural Studies, 23,pp.345356 Horner.A,(1999), The Tiger Stirring: Aspects of commuting in the R e p u b l i c o f I r e l a n d 1 9 8 1 - 1 9 9 6 , I r i s h G e o g r a p h y, 3 2 : 2 , p p . 9 9 - 1 1 1 McGrath.B,(2001), “A problem of resources”: defining rural youth encounters in education,work & housing, Journal of Rural Studies,17,pp.481-495 Ni Laoire.C,(2007) The ‘green green grass of home ’? Return Migration to rural Ireland , Journal of Rural Studies,23, pp.332-344 Champion.A.G.,(1989),Counterurbanisation in Britain , The Royal Geographical Society,155:1,pp.52-59 Marsden.T,(1995), Beyond Agriculture?Regulating the New Rural Spaces, Journal of Rural Studies,11:3,pp.291-295 Haartsen.T et al,(2009), Rural youth culture: Keten in the Netherlands, Journal of Rural Studies,xx,pp.1-10 Milbourne.P,(2007),Re-populating rural studies:Migrations, movements and mobilities,Journal of Rural Studies,23, pp.381-386 C l a r e g a l w a y H i s t o r i c a l a n d C u l t u r a l S o c i e t y, ( 2 0 0 2 ) , Claregalway Parish History Pictorial,pp.276 Galway Advertiser,Claregalway Bus/Cycle lane will only put lives a t r i s k s a ys M i c h a e l E a m e s , M a y 2 0 0 9 Sunday Business Post, Western Woes Continue, May 2007 32

Claregalway Local Area Plan 2005-2011,2005,pp.4-5 Ap p e n d i x .

Survey Questionnaire.

U.C.C. Dissertation Questionnaire; Geography Dept, Joseph Kelly 2010.

Rural transformations and Commodifications. *All information given is handled with the strictest confidence and used for the sole purpose of the subject discussed and studied. Any further queries you may contact Prof.P.Flanagan,Geography Dept U.C.C. .

Q.1. Name ? : Q.2. Occupation and length of time employed in this occupation ?: __________________________________________________________ Q.3. Education? Primary _ Secondary _ Third Level _ Q.4. If Farming?: Part –Time __

Full-Time __

Q.5. If Part Time what is your Full time Occupation?: __________________ Q.6 Has your occupation changed recently ? __________________________ Q.7. How long have been a resident in the locality? : 0-5 years 5- 10 years 10-15 years 15-20 years 20 + years Q.8 What type of house do you reside at ?

Detached _ , Semi- Detached _,

___ ___ ___ ___ ___

Q.9. How many rooms are in the house?

6_, 5_, 4_, 3,_,2_,1_, Q.10. How many people reside in this household? +5 _ 4_ 3_ 2_1_ Q.11. How many cars are in your household?_____________________ Q.12. How would you rate the impact of changes in the area since your residency? __ (1-5) 5 = Very clear impact on everyday life personally and for others 4 = Everyday life affected for others but not so much personally 3 = Change was to be expected for all 2 = Doesn’t really affect anyone concerned?

1 = Not aware of any major changes ?

Q.13. What changes would you see as the most evident?

Q.14. Do you feel that the locality has benefited from these changes? ___(1-5) 5= Most Definitely 4= Definitely 3= Some aspects have benefited others not so much 2= not sure 1= Not aware of any benefits

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Q.15. If there any issues which have not benefited the locality, what would you say they are ?

Q.16. Would you know as many of your neighbours or townsfolk as you would have in the previous number of years? ___ (1-5) 5 = I would not know as many as I used to 4 = I would know some newcomers 3 = I would try to get to know all involved in the community 2 = I feel that anyone involved in groups in the community are part of it.

1 = I am very open to all peoples living in the locality Q.17. Would you agree that the transformations have changed the social interaction of the Community ?(i.e. socialising, recreational activities, sport) of peoples in the locality? __ (1-5) 5 = Strongly Agree 4 = Agree 3 = Not Sure 2 = Disagree 1 = Strongly Disagree Q.18. Would agree that the presence of agriculture has declined in the past few years?

5 = Strongly Agree 4 = Agree 3 = Not Sure 2 = Disagree 1 = Strongly Disagree

__(1-5)

Q.19. Would you agree that the present day services active in the village being of great convenience to residents and short term visitors to the locality? __(1-5) 5 = Strongly Agree 4 = Agree 3 = Not Sure 2 = Disagree 1 = Strongly Disagree Q.20. How many times a week would you use these services?_ (1-5) More than Twice _ Twice _ Once _ Never _ Q.21. How many times a week would you use another service centre?

Once _ Twice _ More Than Twice _ Never _

Q. 22. What would you think was the traditional Commodity of the area and do you think that this Commodity has a part to play in the community anymore?

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------Q.23. What would see as the most important changes in the past 10 years ? ________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________

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