Project Description

“Some say talk is cheap; but not talking in time can become very expensive”

The Loop Head Peninsula has seen its population fall by on average 2 people every month over the past 35 years[1]. The reasons for this decline in population are multiple, complex and are linked to the decisions that were taken over time regarding the economic and social development of the Peninsula.

A deliberation process initiated during 2020 by the people of the Peninsula to understand the reasons behind the population decline, and possible ways forward, has come up with the need to develop nine Focus Areas captured in the Loop Head Regional Development Strategy (LRDS). 

Experience elsewhere has proven that the next step is to give all those with an interest in addressing this challenge, the chance and opportunity to exchange ideas, experiences and observations, to brainstorm and discuss possible solutions that could lead to community-wide actions and projects delivering the scale of results needed. Such a deliberation needs some form of structure.

To this end, ‘Creative Conversations - Getting to the Priority Projects’ would develop a platform for informed discussion and debate, to allow all voices to be heard and to identify options going forward before decisions are taken, so that we have decisions that work for all on the Loop. In turn, this would make it easier to form constructive partnerships with state agencies, businesses, etc., collaborating to co-create a thriving future.

[1] We are hopeful for a sign of a reversal of this trend in the 2021 census due to experience with successful remote working during Covid

Project Justification & Objectives

Every day there are many great conversations taking place, about the state of the world, the state of the country and the state of the Peninsula, across homes, cafes and bars on Loop Head. The platform created by ‘Creative Conversations - Getting to the Priority Projects’ would harvest these conversations towards arriving at projects that can address the challenges here in the 3 western-most parishes of Co. Clare. 

The initial objectives would be:

1.     Undertake a process to assemble a team of people across the parishes and ways of life on the Peninsula to discuss and design a deliberative platform. 

2.     Agree on how deliberations are to occur, how differences in opinion are considered and how to turn combined considerations into a portfolio of projects by a variety of organisations and individuals that deliver on the overall goals of the people of the Peninsula. 

3.     Explore and decide on appropriate in-person and internet-based platforms to support the deliberation.

4.     Support the above three by researching similar structures that have been applied elsewhere, in Ireland and internationally, learning lessons that can be applied for best success for LT.

Potential Project Stakeholders*

• All community groups of the Peninsula 

•  Loop Head Together (LT) 

• Clare Local Development Company (CLDC) 

• Clare County Council 

• The Department of Rural Development

• All others interested in being involved

*Potential Project Stakeholders means all stakeholders have not necessarily yet been contacted to help co-design the project, but are mentioned here as they would be a desirable project partner. We may have forgotten some - please let us know!