Two Contrasting Irish Regions Flashcards
What is the peripheral region
The west
What are the counties in the west
Galway
Mayo
Roscommon
What does category one status in the EU mean
The area revive the maximum levels of assistance through grants
What is the largest urban centre of the west
Galway city
Galway city population
75500
Climate in the west
Features of this climate
Cool temperature oceanic
Small temperature rain
North Atlantic drift gives a warm current
Relief rainfall in mountains
West temperatures
4-6° in winter
15-17°c summer
Rainfall in west
1000-1250 mm per year
Rivers in the west
Moy
Corrib
Shannon
Lakes in west
Corrib
Mask
Conn
Drainage in west
Bad
Impermeable rock
Relief in west
Mountaineous
Lowland in east
Examples of mountains in west
What period of folding
12 pins
Croag Patrick
Caledonian 400mya
Soils in west
Podzols ; form due to heavy rain and leaching (hardpan -waterlogging)
Blanket and mountain peat; marshy, infertile, waterlogged
Lowland gleys ; severe saturation of clay soils. Lack oxygen. Bad for veg,
Acidic brown earths: too acidic due to rainfall
% of people making a living on farming in west
14%
Factors affecting agriculture in the west
High precipitation Unfavourable relief Infertile soils Farms are small (25 hectares) Farmers are old (60% over 55) 50% farmers part time Outmigration Peripheral location makes it isolated from EU market
Types of agriculture in the west
Pastoral farming
Rough grazing
Tillage (only 0.5% used for cereals)
% of Ireland currently covered by forest
10%
National development plan want to increases forest % to
15%
How many trees planted in west
50000 by collite
Why plant trees in west
Land more profitable for forestry
Government and EU give grants to farmers who give some land for tree planting
How many people employed by fishing in the west
2000
Why is west ideal for fishing
Indented coastline - sheltered bays
North Atlantic drift keeps coastline ice free
Shallow continental shelf perfect
West’s largest fishing port
Rossaveal
Galway
Aquaculture companies in the west
An crompan
Kilcummin
Connemara
Ireland’s aquaculture ranked what in EU
6th highest
Where was gas found in west
Corrib gas field
Mayo coast
Where is mayo gas brought
Gas networks Ireland for distribution throughout the country but development has been halted due to local opposition
What is the secondary sector
The the economy manufactures finished goods
Why are manufacturing industries less developed in the west
Poor infrastructure (little motorways etc)
Isolation from Europe
Unskilled workforce
Small market close by
Government solutions to manufacturing industries being less developed in the west
Irish development authority promote country as attractive by offering grants and incentives
Údarás na Gaeltacha- social, economic and cultural development of Gaeltacht areas
Eu gave region objective 1 status enabling it to receive maximum grant aid through European regional development fund
Range of manufacturing in west
Resource bases (meat and fish processing) Traditional and consumer industries (textile, bakeries) Industrial estates (eg Westport) Foreign industries (located during Celtic tiger, eh Boston scientific)
Why was Galway more attractive to mnc
Region capital Nodal point NUIG and GMIT highly skilled workers Modern communications Population increase of 50% during Celtic tiger
Talk about tourism in west
Seasonal
2 million tourists annually
Access to region underdeveloped but services there are developed
Areas of natural beauty
Hill walking (Connemara)
Festivals (Galway international oyster and seafood festivals)
Cultural assets eg Gaeltacht (20000 students year)
Religious tourism eg knock
Challenges for tourism in the west
Economic slowdown
Too far from dub,in airport
Decline of trans-Atlantic flights to Shannon airport
Future expansion for tourism in the west
Main aim of 2007-2013 NDP
niche tourism (walking, golfing, surfing)
Most tourist want to travel by air x more flights to west airports
European cruises include Galway stop
About transport in west
New national primary roads Connected to Dublin by M6 Money being spent upgrading coastal roads Trains to Leinster daily Lacks major ports Knock airport used by 1 million a year Department of fianace gives money to it Galway had an airport but closed due to liquidation of its main business partner Aran air
Population density in Galway before famine
72 people per Km
How did population decline in the west
Famine, most people were poorer potato farmers so these people were hit hardest.
People has to emigrate. 16% of Galway emigrated compared to the 6% in Dublin
Increased a bit when Ireland joined the EU but declined again in recession
Grew back in Celtic tiger
Population density in Galway now
34%
Why is population density so low in west
Physical aspects eg mountainous terrain, infertile soils
Younger people migrate - ageing population and brain drain
Why is the GDA a core region
Focal/nodal point
Financial and administrative capital with government
Well drained lowland with fertile soils
High population density and in migration
Attracts industry as it has a young educated workforce
Climate in GDA
Cool temperate oceanic climate
Rainfall: 750mm a year (higher in Wicklow mountains)
Temp: 5-15° on average
Relief in GDA
Most low and gently sloping
Wicklow Dublin mountains hinder development south
Drainage in GDA
Liffey runs through Dublin and Kildare
Other rivers include Boyne, nanny
Soils in GDA
Mostly fertile brown earth soils
Irrigated by rivers
Alluvium rich
Peaty soils in mountainous areas
How many people living in GDA are employed in agriculture
3%
Difference between agriculture in GDA and west
Dublin farming are highly productive and specialised
Commercial methods and high yield, optimum output.
Climate in GDA for farming
Summer ave 16%
2 hours more sunshine a day than west
Lower levels of rainfall 750mm
Rare frost
Relief in GDA ideal for farming
Lowland - easily accessible by machinery
Not exposed to high winds
Soil temperature warmer
Soils ideal for farming in GDA
Brown earth soils,
Stoneless ans easily worked, less labour intensive
Human factors affecting agriculture in GDA
Commercial nature - ageing framers, land abandonment and outdated practices aren’t a problem
Average age of 37
Well educated farmers in both farming and business
Market orientated and scientific approach to farming
Larger farm size
Highly mechanised
Larger scale than west
Big market for freshly produced food
Types of agriculture in the GDA
Market gardening - plants and veg. Eg Keeling’s
Arable - cereals
Cattle -Meath
Bloodstock industry - horse breeding, calcium rich soils for healthy bones
Sheep raring - slopes of Wicklow as land unsuitable for crops
Forestry in GDA
Wicklow most popular
North facing slopes used for tree growth
Fishing in GDA
Has declined
Just 2% of Ireland’s total catch came this year
Howth is largest in GDA - 6th largest in Ireland
Irish seas more polluted than Atlantic Ocean
Average farm size in west vs GDA
GDA - 42
West - 25
% of farming in west that is cereals
.5 %
% of Ireland’s industrial workforce in GDA
40%
Jobs lost in total during recession GDA
60000
% of Ireland’s manufacturing plants in GDA
25
How many industries set up in GDA during Celtic tiger
900
Why is GDA attractive to foreign industry
Strong agricultural sector feeds into food processing industry - large Dublin market Transport hub New industrial estates Young, highly educated workforce Offer incentives like low tax
% of all college graduates based in GDA
80%
% of GDA workforce under 25
45%
Ireland’s tax for industry
12.5%
% of workers in Dublin City working in services
80%
Number of overseas visitors to Dublin in 2015
4.9 million
Why do tourists go to GDA
Most accessible, airport, ports History eg newgrange, Dublin buildings Tayto Park Sport - fairyhouse, k club, curragh, Glendalough hikes Coast towns Art Concerts and sporting events in Dublin
Transport in GDA
DART LÚAS Intercity rail Port tunnel Quality bus corridors Dublin bikes Dublin airport Dublin port
