Depopulation of rural Ireland threatens hearts communities

A new investigation by Kevin Magee examines how rural decline is reshaping daily life, with the Irish National Teachers' Organisation warning that more than 70 primary schools could face pressure if current trends continue. The programme also hears from GAA leaders and rural development experts who say Ireland’s overall population growth is masking sharp losses in its most remote areas.

More than 70 rural primary schools are at risk of closure if the current trend of rural depopulation continues, according to Ireland’s largest teachers’ union, the Irish National Teachers’ Organisation (INTO).  

The prediction is made by the General Secretary of the INTO, John Boyle, in an edition of TG4’s flagship current affairs programme "Iniúchadh" TG4, which examines the impact of rural decline in remote parts of Ireland. 

The documentary "Bánú na Tuaithe" ("Rural Depopulation") presented by the award-winning investigative journalist, Kevin Magee, and airing on Wednesday, March 25 at 9.30 pm, explores the pressing question: Is rural Ireland really dying? 

According to the latest data from the Department of Education and Youth, the number of children enrolling in primary schools across the country fell by 6,470 in 2025. 

Eleven primary schools have closed permanently since June 2025 due to falling rolls, with others now facing an uncertain future. According to the INTO, the problem is getting worse. 

Speaking in Irish, Mr Boyle said: “If things continue the way they are, more than 70 schools will come under pressure. These small schools are located at the heart of the area, at the heart of the community, and if they close them, like the post office and other places, there will be no heart left in these communities. It is therefore extremely important to the Irish National Teachers’ Organisation that the government properly supports small schools.”

Ruth Brophy.

One obvious solution is to decrease the teacher-pupil ratio in specific schools that are under threat, according to Mr. Boyle.

“They have to support small schools, and they can do that by reducing the number of children in classes. The class sizes in this country are larger than anywhere else in Europe,”  he said.

In addition to its impact on schools, the documentary examines how rural depopulation is affecting cultural and sporting life in parts of Ireland, following what the GAA termed “the decimation and erosion of rural life .” 

South Kerry GAA board carried out an analysis of the decline in school enrolment numbers in its area. It was calculated that there has been a 41 per cent fall in the combined primary school population at 13 national schools in the 28-year period from 1993 to 2021. The board has predicted that certain clubs “will have major difficulty fielding underage teams” in the future. 

South Kerry GAA board chair Joseph McCrohan said: “If you want to measure a GAA club and you want to measure what's going to happen to a GAA club in the next number of years, take a look at the primary school. If you’ve kids in primary school, you’ll have football teams, hurling teams. If you don't, you're in trouble. ” 

This year, five south Kerry clubs, Reenard, Waterville, Dromid, Cahersiveen and Valentia had to join together to field an under -14 boys’ team. 

Joseph McCrohnan.

GAA footballer Caoimhín Ó Fearghail from Cashel GAA in Newtowncashel in County Longford told the programme that seven players or 30 per cent of the team that won the Longford County Intermediate Championship in 2009 are now living abroad.

“Lots of the lads have gone to Australia, America and Canada. Every rural club is struggling for numbers, and the club is worried about that — that people will want out or that they will emigrate," he said

According to the latest 2022 census figures, the population of Ireland was 5.149 million, up 8% on the previous 2016 figure. 

Sustainable rural development expert Professor Mary O'Shaughnessy from Cork University’s Business School says overall population growth figures can mask the extent of population decline in some rural areas. 

Martha Gilheaney.

“The population in Ireland is at its highest since the 1850s and when we look at the population distribution, we can see that there's been population growth in both urban and rural areas. But when we look at it more closely , what we do find is that the rural areas that appear to have grown are those that are closest to urban centers or closest to our cities. 

“But there continues to be a decline in the numbers of population in rural regions that are more remote, that are more peripheral, that are particularly located along the western seaboard, and that are also in some parts of rural Midlands as well,” said Professor O’Shaughnessey. 

* This episode of "Iniúchadh", on TG4, will air on March 25, 2026, at 9.30pm. Check it out at on the TG4 Player.