Up here it’s different - Community Education in Rural East Donegal

Oct 15, 2026

Uploaded by Đào

“Up here it’s different” introduces Donegal’s rural East as a place of strong community bonds yet severe socio-economic disadvantage. The text contrasts nostalgic tourism narratives with realities shaped by underdevelopment during the “Celtic Tiger” era, border-related political and economic tensions, and limited infrastructure. It focuses on St. Johnston and Carrigans, detailing unemployment, education disadvantage, weak public transport, and challenges in accessing health and education, arguing for a community development approach.

LanguageEnglish

CategoryResearch & Report

FormatPDF

Pages13

Reading Time33 min

AccessFree to download

Up here it’s different - Community Education in Rural East Donegal

Disadvantage and historical context in Donegal

Focus villages: St. Johnston and Carrigans

Education and employment disadvantage

Rationale for community development

The community and voluntary sector in Donegal

Previous Back to contents Next Up Here it’s Different: Community Education in Rural East Donegal amanda slevin ‘Up here it’s different’ This familiar advertising slogan used to attract visitors to the rugged beauty of Co. Donegal, was correct in highlighting that things are different in Donegal, although not for the reasons we might connect with tourism. For many, Donegal evokes nostalgic images of old, rural Ireland such as close community bonds, unspoilt landscape, strong agriculture and fishing industries. Unfortunately such idyllic reminiscences are somewhat at odds with the realities of life in Donegal, often described by residents as ‘the forgotten county.’ While a beautiful landscape and a strong sense of community in many parts of the county are positive features, its overwhelming lack of development throughout the ‘Celtic Tiger’ era is evidence of its neglect in comparison to many other counties in the Republic of Ireland. According to Haase and Pratschke (2008), Donegal is the most disadvantaged local authority area within the whole country, situated within the most disadvantaged region in Ireland – the Border Region. Haase and Pratschke also state that the county of Donegal has a Relative Index score 1 of-10.0 and is termed a disadvantaged area, compared with the national Relative Index Score of 2.1. Relative Index Scores among electoral divisions (EDs) in Donegal range from-58.3 (Island of Aran) to-8.6 (Letterkenny Urban District) to 7.4 (Bundoran Rural ED, Donegal’s most affluent area; Bundoran Urban ED has a Relative Index Score of-1 .7) . Traditional employment in the agriculture and fishing industries is no longer viewed as viable for many families and individuals, resulting in unemployment and deeply felt changes within communities. Combined with weak infrastruc- 1 Relative Index Scores provide a standardised measurement of relative affluence or deprivation in a given area at a specific point in time. Previous Back to contents Next ture, no train service, poor bus services, high levels of early school leaving and high unemployment rates, Donegal is different and disadvantaged. Common perceptions of ‘the Troubles’ in Northern Ireland tend to view the conflict as contained within the six counties. However, sectarian, political and economic tensions have left profound scars in communities along the border. Without documenting the difficulties, violence, trauma and heartbreak of this period of recent history, it is important to recognise that; No community can speak of itself without speaking of and to its history. Historical understanding and memory are intrinsic to any functioning notion of Community. (Deane, 1994, p.xiv) The ‘Troubles’ have left an indelible mark on communities with ramifications such as a lingering hurt and suspicion that can often affect inter-community relationships. The macro and micro tensions have a particular legacy for East Donegal with the neglect of the State impacting on nearly every community in the county. And these are outstanding issues before the current economic recession has been considered. While many of the towns and villages in Donegal exhibit some of the aforementioned economic, political, cultural and social issues, this article will concentrate on the villages of St. Johnston and Carrigansin East Donegal. These two villages, with a combined population of approximately 2,500, are situated two miles apart, along the River Foyle and border the counties of Derry and Tyrone. St. Johnston & Carrigans–rural communities in East Donegal St. Johnston and Carrigans are in a rural area that is isolated due to its natural geographical location along the border and is negatively affected by weak infrastructure, poor roads, a near absence of public transport provision, a lack of social housing and difficulties in accessing essential services in areas such as health and education. With a 2006 Relative Index Score of-22.8, St. Johnston is classified as avery dis

FAQs

Why does the text say Donegal is “different” from common tourism perceptions?

It argues that while Donegal is often portrayed as idyllic and strongly community-based, many residents describe it as the “forgotten county” due to neglect and ongoing disadvantage, especially compared with other Irish counties.

What key factors contribute to disadvantage in rural East Donegal?

The article highlights weak infrastructure, lack of train and poor bus services, high early school leaving, high unemployment, limited social housing, and difficulties accessing health and education.

How does the article describe educational and employment conditions in St. Johnston and Carrigans?

It reports high levels of educational disadvantage (lower primary-only attainment thresholds and low third-level education relative to the national rate) and unemployment rates that are more than double the national average, with male unemployment notably higher.

Oct 15, 2026

Uploaded by Đào