Big Read

Shuttered retailers, big factory closures, disappearing trade: Ireland’s forgotten heartlands

Locals in towns like Clonmel, Lanesborough and Shannonbridge are taking action to revive, restore and foster a sustainable future for their communities

‘Earlier this year, people started breaking the windows of the empty shops [in Clonmel, Co Tipperary]. It looked dreadful and was quite dangerous. In the end, they decided to just board a lot of it up.’ Picture: Bryan Meade