The geography of the creative economy in Europes northern periphery: A case study from the west of Ireland

Studies relating to the creative economy can have an urban focus. However the creative economy is active in peripheral and rural places. Set in the context of a globally expanding creative economy, heavily influenced by the digital age, we explore a case study assessing the extent and nature of the creative economy Irelands western region. Our findings provide evidence of a significant creative sector in this region, sharing traits with how rural creative industries have been characterised in terms of the active role of place. The western regions creative sector also differs from rural creative sector characterisations. We identify a diverse sector, composed of more traditional sub-sectors such as craft, but also digital and technologically driven creative sub-sectors. The evidence indicates a creative sector with complex spatial and socio-economic dynamics exists in this region. Finally, we also consider the implications of our findings for regional creative sector development.