Rural Engagement Event Highlights Challenges Facing Rural Northern Ireland

Community Leaders Unite for Rural Engagement Event in Fermanagh and Omagh

Fermanagh and Omagh District Council hosted a significant rural engagement event titled “Championing Rural Communities: Vision, Voice and Action” at Newtownbutler Community Centre on Thursday 26 March 2026.

The event attracted more than 70 representatives from community groups, rural practitioners, businesses, statutory agencies, and local residents. The focus was clear: tackling the real issues impacting rural life across Northern Ireland.

Key Issues Facing Rural Communities

Discussions throughout the evening highlighted several pressing challenges affecting rural areas:

• Rural connectivity and digital access
• Limited access to essential services
• Geographic isolation
• Infrastructure gaps
• Demographic changes
• Long-term sustainability and planning

Participants emphasised the urgent need for practical action alongside policy discussions, particularly in supporting rural volunteers and strengthening community resilience.

Leadership Perspective on Rural Challenges

Councillor Barry McElduff, Chair of the Council, highlighted the realities of rural living:

“From housing to health, from farming to infrastructure, and from education to the economy, rural voices need to be heard.”

He stressed that collaboration between government, communities, and organisations is essential to secure the future of rural life.

Expert Contributions and Insights

The event featured contributions from key figures across multiple sectors:

• Mary T Conway – Creggan Community Association & Omagh Forum for Rural Associations
• Benny Hurl – GAA National Demographics Committee
• Dr Peter Horgan – GAA Strategy Insights
• Alexander Kinnear – Ulster Farmers’ Union
• Francis McCarron – Monaghan Integrated Development
• Sinead McEvoy – Director of Regeneration and Planning

Social Inclusion and Rural Development

Mary T Conway shared decades of experience in rural development, highlighting:

• The importance of social enterprise
• Tackling rural poverty
• Promoting inclusion and regeneration

She pointed to successful initiatives such as Whitehare Daycare as examples of rural innovation.

Cross-Border Collaboration Opportunities

Francis McCarron emphasised the shared challenges across rural border regions, noting that improving quality of life in these areas remains a Europe-wide issue.

He highlighted the importance of cross-border collaboration to deliver meaningful, long-term improvements.

GAA Demographics Report Raises Concerns

Insights from the GAA’s demographics research revealed significant concerns:

• Population shifts impacting rural communities
• Declining volunteer capacity
• Pressure on local services

Benny Hurl warned that these challenges extend far beyond sport and require coordinated, national-level solutions.

Population Trends Show Rural Reality

Sinead McEvoy provided a strategic overview of the district’s demographics:

• 40 people per square kilometre in Fermanagh and Omagh
• Compared to 140 per square kilometre across Northern Ireland

These figures underline the unique pressures facing rural areas and the need for tailored funding and service delivery.

Farming Sector Faces Mounting Pressures

Alexander Kinnear from the Ulster Farmers’ Union outlined key issues affecting rural agriculture:

• Rising operational costs
• Policy changes and regulatory pressures
• Market uncertainty

He emphasised that farmers remain central to rural sustainability and must be supported through collaborative approaches.

Facilitated Discussion and Community Engagement

The evening’s panel discussions were facilitated by Louise Cullen, encouraging open dialogue and knowledge sharing across sectors.

The event was open to anyone interested in shaping the future of rural communities, reinforcing a bottom-up approach to policy and development.

Get Involved in Future Rural Planning

Residents and organisations are encouraged to contribute to ongoing engagement efforts.

For more information or to get involved:
Email: ruralcommunitiesevent@fermanaghomagh.com