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 A survey into the population migration of the Kiltimagh
area was carried out in 1988 and this showed that 75% of the youth (17-25
age group) of the area were forced to emigrate in order to find work.
The figure in absolute terms was estimated as being about half of the
overall emigration from the area. In simple terms, the area had lost
its productive and economic population with no hope of ever returning.
The manifestation of
this problem was evident in the town and its hinterland. Whole
townlands had been wiped out - denuded of its population by death of the
old and emigration of the young. The decaying, derelict and
overgrown houses and farmyards were clearly visible in the
countryside. In the town the problem was equally apparent. Over
40% of the buildings in the town were derelict to the point of being
appropriate for demolition. The other 60% were not far behind - the
result of years of non-investment.  Not alone had no new businesses
been established for many years, it was nearly a weekly feature that a
business closed. It was a picture that would not entice or encourage
investment.
Above Picture -
Enterprise House 1990
Opposite Picture -
Enterprise House 2000
It is fair to say that
conventional 'top-down' systems had failed the Kiltimagh area. The
absolute reliance of the population on 'the government' to solve the ails
of a small rural town had led to this debacle and now something radical had
to be done to retrieve the situation. Further, it was clear that this
reliance on the top-down approach had to change in the future.
A group of 10 people
came together realising that the solution to the problem was neither a
simple nor a short-term action. Extensive meetings were held and a
model was researched and developed - in fact, a model was already in
existence, in Portugal where local community representation came together
with state agencies and employers to form an entitiy which would prepare an
action plan for the area.
The following is a
pictorial synopsis of the flagship projects adopted in the plan 1990 - 1994
with regard to town enhancement in Kiltimagh.
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