Urban-related social change in the Republic of Ireland

While evidence of migration turnaround and of inner city renewal is widespread within the developed world, extended suburbanisation continued during the 1970s and the 1980s in many countries. This paper addresses the issue of urban-related rural population growth at three levels in the Republic of Ireland since the early 1970s. The importance of urban-rural movement is viewed initially within the context of overall population distribution. Patterns of change at urban and suburban level are then analysed having regard to differences in urban size. Finally, impacts of inmigration and of socio-economic diversification at local level are discussed in the context of former rural villages currently undergoing rapid expansion. -Author