Deadline nears for initiative aimed at helping female entrepreneurs

Fully-funded programme seeks to help rural-based businesses make it big

Campaign to promote community based politics across State

1st Independent Mayo say they are ‘not quite Ireland’s answer to Syriza’

Rural Ireland needs better broadband to compete globally

‘To me broadband is as important to rural areas as electricity,’ says TD Stephen Donnelly

Will this be the year when rural Ireland begins to bounce back?

Reasons for optimism but disappointment at lack of action on rural report

A plan for rural Ireland: ‘It’s about taking simple actions’

The Irish Times series on country life continues.

Jobseekers at sharp end of problem of weak infrastructure

Rural areas have been particularly badly hit by the economic downturn

Minister warns against out-of-town store outlets

No change of tack over Garda station closures

Mayo profile: ‘People are in bad form, with no spare cash . . . and not saying a lot to us, which is dangerous’

SF’s Rose Conway-Walsh expected to poll very well in west Mayo, while mini ‘civil war’ in Westport splitting Fine Gael vote

Ryanair boss criticised for views on rural Ireland

Marian Harkin describes Michael O’Leary as ‘a multi-millionaire hobby farmer’

The best incentives for a rural economy that continues to struggle

Roll-out more aid for rural areas, says Cedra report

Study recommends piloting Rural Economic Development zones to tackle unemployment

State ‘should tackle rural unemployment’

Report says Minister should assume responsibility for rural economic development