Regional Geography

Western Region
Its a peripheral region including counties: Galway, Mayo and Roscommon
Largest Urban Centre: Galway City with a population of 78414
Compromises 20% of the land bur holds 10% of population

national average of population density (25 per km)

Classified as a rural area
High dependency on primary activities
Transport and communication infrastructure is underdeveloped
Low employment in services
High amount of people classified as rurally poor
Larger multinational companies employ unskilled workers
Area suffers from outward migration
Climate
Relief includes:
1. Nephin Beg mountain range
2. Maamtuk Mts., Mweelra Mts., Twelve Pins Mts.
Drainage includes:
1. River Moy in Mayo
2. Rivers Corrib and Clare in Galway
3. Rivers Suck and Shannon in Roscommon
4. Lough Corrib and Mask in Galway
Physical Climate
Cool temperate Oceanic Climate in the region
Temperate Range Winter: 5.7 C
Temperature range Summer: 16C
Rainfall: 1400 2000mm per year
High levels of cloud cover: 3.3 hrs of sunshine a day
Temperature adn rainfall varies from extreme West to more Eastern Areas
Relief rainfall sees higher amounts of rainfall in Mayo
Soil in the Western Region
Wide variety of soils but of poor quality
Main soils:
Grey Brown Podzols ( Shallow)
Blanket Peat (Infertile)
Mountain peat (Shallow, infertile)
Lowland gleys (Waterlogged)
Acidic Brown earths (Low Yields) E.g. Ballinrobe Co. Mayo
There are some areas of brown earth soils but tend to be acidic and are generally located
in lowland valleys where there are pockets of settlement


Primary Economic Activity Farming
Classified as disadvantaged by E.U Common Policy
Less Developed:
Mountainous terrain ( Difficult for machinery, exposed rock, steep slopes)
Infertile Soils (Low yields of growth, cant support grass growth)
High Rainfall levels (Water logging, poor drainage. Area unsuited)
Has a lot of small pastoral farmers
Cattle and Sheep grazing on lowland valley areas
Sheep grazing up mountainous slopes
Dairying is limited to lowland areas of Mayo and Roscommon
Many cattle reared for meat have to be sent to GDA for fattening
Beef production low
Average farm size is small Enclosed by dry stone walls
Family farm income levels are below national average
Many farmers require an additional income source
Approximately of farmers in the West are over the age of 55
Conservative in their methods
Machinery older & smaller due to low incomes
Outward migration of young people is leading to further decline. Young people with farming
interests are attracted to South & East for better conditions
Primary Economic Activity Fishing
Key advantages in the Western Region:
Atlantic Ocean lies to the West with a large territorial water
North Atlantic drift Current brings warm water and fish close to the shore
Water at the coast is shallow with a rich supply of plankton on continental shelf
Coastline has many harbours and bays due to the indented coastline
With an indented coastline and off shore islands it makes excellent conditions
It employs more than 2000 people in the West
Fish Processing: Growing industry with lager profits and more employment
Aquaculture: (Fish Farms) Mainly produces salmon and shell fish
Clew Bay and Killary: Several hundred people employed here
Sheltered Harbours are perfect
Major Fishing ports:
Galway
Bellmullet
Rossaveal (Largest Port)
Sea trout is farmed in Clew Bay
Killary Harbour: Mussels farmed here
Issues:
Isolated from the main markets of the East (Dublin is over 300 miles away)
Isolated from main market of Europe (Only 1 minor airport)
E.U restrictions prevent Growth. (Common Fisheries Policy)
1) Quotas on catch
2) Limited fishing fleets
3) Overseas competition
Fishing still remains important in this region
Secondary Activity - Industry
Industry hindered by:
Poorly developed transport infrastructure
Small urban population & low population density (25 people per km)
Peripheral location in Ireland and Western Region
Lack of power supplies for industry
Low levels of broadband access
Brain drain (Highly educated people are migrating)
Galway City ( 75000) (main centre of industry)