Are You Willing to Join the Flock?

The wild Geese are back for the winter. They sit below my house, near old Tarbh Dubh. The geese can fly further, faster together; in fact they save 71% by flying in this formation. It allows them to fly from the Arctic, their summer feeding grounds, home, safely together. They are clever, in that they take turns playing follow the leader, so none get over tired and the flock remains intact until they reach their destination. 

On the 3^rd November, at the first in the series of meetings on future job opportunities, I questioned why Arranmore had stopped pulling together as it once had to? I highlighted the stark reality of a dying island, Arranmore has lost 1000 people in 100 years. This is not a unique problem we have alone, it is a global phenomenon. People go to where the jobs are. The jobs are in cities in Dublin, Glasgow, Chicago and London and Arranmore people are scattered all over the globe. In fact we flock like geese to the same areas for generations, following in our Fathers, Grandfathers and Great Grandfathers footsteps. The comedian Tommy Tiernan, describes it well when he speaks of the Irish invading countries with a 6 pack, a sleeping bag and the start. We are bred to go. Your children are next, mine has already gone. Times have changed, nowadays we go away with an education yet we still have the island resilience, where we will go anywhere, do anything and talk to anyone. These are skills not everyone possesses; we as a people are adaptable.

The island is turning into a holiday resort, a quaint hideaway to get away from it all for some, and for others to live it up, whilst its islanders get older. I came home to record the stories, before they are lost forever. In July alone there were 4 funerals on the island. In August the opportunity Io revive Arranmore Island using the sustainable platform was a possibility, if I stuck my neck out. I did.

On November the 3^rd, I made a statement that if we continue as we have done; we will continue to get what we always have. We will have less than 300 living here in the next 20 years. Yet there are people that would love to come home, to raise their family in a safe, secure environment. I asked the question, can Arranmore Island change? Does it want to? I asked the question can we pull together to create a vibrant community, that will benefit all?

In November, I received a resounding Yes, lets do something positive. Many Islanders supported the future jobs initiative by writing a letter of support as have a number of academic institutions, industry, Donegal County Council, our local authority and elected politicians. There are in excess of 130 letters at present with more expected as islanders return home for the holidays. A copy of a draft letter can be obtained from Ionad an Chrois Bhealaigh. To date there have been 3 meetings (3^rd, 21^st and 28^th November), with action plans listed both here and on facebook. I personally would like to thank both co-ops for the use of the venues and also to those who participated and attended the meetings.

The idea of working together to form a sustainable island will take time and agreement from islanders. It is a beacon of hope. It is fragile like all new projects so it needs tending, but let’s build on it, le cheile.     

By Shirley Gallagher