NINE IN 10 Irish people have “some level of knowledge” of their neighbours but a much smaller proportion regularly interact with them, according to new research.
The survey, carried out for Macra na Feirme, also found – perhaps surprisingly – that 81 per cent of people did not want more interaction with neighbours.
The Red C poll , which launched Macra’s “Know Your Neighbour Weekend” programme, found 57 per cent of people knew their neighbours well and regularly interacted with them.
Another 35 per cent knew their neighbours but did not regularly interact with them and 8 per cent of those polled did not know their neighbours at all.
The ESB-funded survey of over 1,000 people aged over 16 across the State, also found younger people had less contact with neighbours. How well people know their neighbours remained largely constant across region and area, the survey found, but those from outside Ireland living here were more likely to claim lack of knowledge of their neighbours.
A breakdown of the frequency of contact between neighbours found half of those who interacted with neighbours did so more than three times weekly with eight in 10 interacting at least weekly.
It found the older age categories showed higher frequency of interaction while regionally, Munster showed lower frequency of interaction.
There was little difference between weekly average visits in urban and rural areas. The weekly average interaction was 3.27 in urban areas and 3.11 in rural areas.
Asked how they might increase interaction with their neighbours, 57 per cent of respondents had no suggestions at all but community-based projects and residents meetings were the two most popular suggestions put forward.
A total of 68 per cent of the poll said they would be likely to take part in a “Know Your Neighbour Weekend” which takes place this year on July 9th and 10th.
The aim of the programme is to encourage everyone to get to know their neighbours through organising a range of events such as a BBQ, dinner parties, picnics, sports days and coffee mornings.
The programme is sponsored by ESB Electric Ireland and the key message from the initiative is: “Don’t walk by, say hi.”
Anyone wishing to organise an event can register on knowyourneighbour.ie and will receive an event pack with tips, T-shirts, balloons and posters.