Keeping rural Ireland alive

Fianna Fáil TD for Tipperary North, Ryan O’Meara, has launched an impact report with the National Community Cafés Action Group at Leinster House last week. The report warns that community cafés across Ireland are at risk of closure without urgent action to safeguard their future.

The National Community Cafés Action Group is calling for the establishment of a dedicated support scheme to help cover operational costs, similar to existing schemes for other community and voluntary organisations. This, they say, would ensure that community cafés can continue to provide their vital economic, social, and cultural benefits long into the future.

This impact report is in direct response to a call to action by Cynthia Ní Mhurchú MEP at the inaugural National Community Café Action Group meeting at the Horse and Jockey, Thurles last January. At this meeting representatives from the 27 community cafés came together to discuss the challenges they faced, with the same theme emerging – as social enterprises established in response to reduced rural amenities and increased rural isolation, our ability to pass on increased business costs to our customers was in direct contradiction to our mission – to provide a place for all in our community.

Nationally the 27 community cafés are at varied stages of their evolution, through a mix of commercialism and volunteerism these cafés provide a service which neither the state nor the private sector would deem commercially viable. They incorporate elements of a café, shop and a meeting place for rural communities. The Cottage Loughmore, a co-operative based on the Plunkett system is the flagship established in 2012. Many community cafes have been established since then, some with the direct help of Mary Fogarty, co-founder at The Cottage. While all community cafes are independent, they are all social enterprises offering amenities to their rural communities which are not otherwise available.

Deputy O’Meara said: “There is only so much a community café can charge before it becomes exclusionary and undermines their mission of being open to all. Without urgent support, many will simply have to shut their doors.”

The report shows that Ireland’s 27 community cafés employ 50 staff and are supported by nearly 400 volunteers across ten counties. They combine a café, shop, and meeting place under one roof, providing essential services that neither the state nor private sector can sustain commercially.

“Community cafés are the beating heart of our rural towns and villages. They aren’t just cafés, they are local hubs that create jobs, support local producers, and provide vital services that simply wouldn’t exist otherwise. They protect the social fabric of rural Ireland.”

“These cafés keep money in the local economy by creating jobs and supporting micro-suppliers. Every cup of tea and slice of brown bread sold in a community café benefits a whole chain of local businesses,” Deputy O’Meara added.

The report highlights the important role these cafés play in training and upskilling young people, students, and those who struggle to find suitable employment elsewhere.

“Community cafés build skills and confidence. They give secondary school and college students valuable work experience, and they create employment opportunities for people with additional needs, opening doors that are often closed to them,” Deputy O’Meara explained.

“At their core, community cafés are about connection. They are warm, welcoming spaces where people of all ages come together – whether it’s parents with babies, older people meeting friends, or young people gaining experience behind the counter.

“In an increasingly online world, we need places like these more than ever.”

“The Programme for Government commits to supporting community-run shops and cafés,” Deputy O’Meara concluded. “We know the Government sees their value, now we need that commitment turned into action before it’s too late.”

A spokesperson for the National Community Cafés Action added: “We know the Government sees the value of community cafés nationally, this has been acknowledged through the provision in the Programme for Government to work to support the development and retention of community-run shops and cafes. However, we need this provision turned into urgent action – showcasing our impact report at a local and national level is the first step along with furnishing the Government with our ask.”

The launch was also attended by Independent TD, Michael Lowry.

Deputy Lowry said: “Together with my colleagues in the Regional Independent Group, I will be advancing this commitment for practical support during negotiations on this year's Budget. The excellent report from the National Community Café Action Group emphasises the importance of these local facilities and the need to secure their future.”

He also added that it was fitting that tributes were paid to the memory of the late Maeve O’Hehir.

“Together with Mary Fogarty, they had the vision, insight and passion to start this wonderful project, which has since been emulat