South Kerry Gaeltacht looking to target Relocations rather than Staycations

The South Kerry Gaeltacht of Uíbh Ráthach is looking to take ambitious steps to turn staycations into relocations in an attempt to attract people to come and live in the area. The interagency task force set up to assist the regeneration of this most picturesque of Gaeltacht areas are looking to market the area to new prospective residents as the perfect place to live, work and do business in.

To this end, Údarás na Gaeltachta has recently published an invitation to suitably qualified and experienced marketing organisations to develop and implement a bespoke marketing and communications plan to encourage individuals and families to settle in the Uíbh Ráthach Gaeltacht in South Kerry.

The aim of this marketing initiative is to engage with, inform and actively encourage people, families and businesses to choose to live, work and do business in this small but vibrant Gaeltacht community, in line with the aims and objectives of set out in the Tascfhórsa Uíbh Ráthaigh Action Plan 2019 – 2022.

This bold initiative is made possible due to the support and collaboration of the Department of Rural and Community Development and Kerry County Council through funding that has been approved under the Town and Village Renewal Scheme 2019 with co-funding provided by Údarás na Gaeltachta.

Although the Uíbh Ráthach area has faced many challenges associated with a fall in population in the past, with the assistance of State organisations, educational institutions and local business and community interests, the development and implementation of a comprehensive Action Plan has brought a new vigour to the area.

The actions within the plan focus on improving both the quality of life of people in the area as well as improving employment and business opportunities locally. Through this strategic effort, it is a stated aim of Tascfhórsa Uíbh Ráthaigh that 10 new families will be welcomed to come and live in the area over a three-year period.

Dónal Ó Liatháin of Údarás na Gaeltachta, Chairperson of Tascfhórsa Uíbh Ráthaigh commented:

“This Uíbh Ráthach Gaeltacht area is a beautiful and historic place in which to live and work and we are looking for innovative ways in which to encourage prospective new residents to relocate to the area. The implementation of the action plan will see this area grow and develop into the future. The cooperation and collaboration of state agencies hand in hand with the community will continue to drive the development of the area which is evident from the support of Kerry County Council in this action of the plan.”