The changing distribution of population in Donegal, with special reference to the congested areas

Abstract

The effects of movement from the area of emigration may be hidden for a time. In many parts of Ireland there is an unusually large proportion of old people in the population, probably partly supported by their sons and daughters in Great Britain, America and other parts of the world. With the death of the old people the farm, if poor, may be added to another holding or even find no tenant; the land, once wrested with toil and sweat from the surrounding heathland, returns to it again and the cottage falls into ruins. A remark made to a research student in Glencree might be made all over the poorer areas of Ireland, "the families here are worn out."