Christmas sun for Clare exiles

WHILE most parts of rural Clare has experienced a sizeable upturn in emigration statistics in recent months, Kilmihil has been particularly badly hit.

Up to 10 Kilmihil footballers, who played senior championship in 2010, are currently overseas. This is in addition to a large number of others who have emigrated from the parish on either a long or short-term basis in recent times.
Up to 35 Clare people marked Christmas Day on Bondi Beach, Sydney, with almost half of that figure from the West Clare parish. However, Kilmihil community activist John Dalton believes that rampant negativity is driving many of the county’s youth overseas. He says that the country needs to be more proactive.
“The whole country needs to have a positive, rather than a negative attitude. Doom and gloom brings more doom and gloom. We need new ideas,” he said, before referring to the proposed development of a ferry from Ballyvaughan to Galway and of a bridge linking Bishop’s Island in Kilkee to the mainland.
The collapse of the construction industry has led to escalating unemployment levels in Kilmihil. “We were construction orientated and anybody that’s into construction is not used to staying around for the sake of it. But it’s like the Paddies going to England years ago; you’re starting at the bottom of the ladder,” he said.
Mr Dalton says if emigrants are to return to Kilmihil in this case, provision must be made for them work-wise.
“The problem I have with people going now is we have to do something to bring them back in a couple of years time. Other than that your cream is gone. Guys that are finishing college; what’s the point in standing around here? They have a degree and can get a job in Canada or wherever they can get one,” he said.