Leitrim is becoming a non viable society as educated young people leave in search of employment opportunities.
Employment prospects for highly educated young people in Leitrim are so poor that,
Every week Leitrim youngsters pack their bags and head for anywhere.
With the youth leaving in droves, few people are left behind with the drive and skill to create industries to keep the next generation at home. When the young people depart on the Sligo to Dublin train, they leave behind an aging population, half the land is held by single people over the age of 50.
As the young take the lonesome train they leave behind what is fast becoming a non viable society.
One young woman is sad to leave her family and friends in Carrick-on-Shannon but knows it has to be done due to lack of third level opportunities.
A young man is aware that even with qualifications, there are no jobs in Leitrim. Another says parents now expect their children to leave Leitrim to find jobs. His two older brothers have both left home, one is in Donegal and the other is in Dublin.
An optimistic young women hopes the employment situation will have improved by the time she is qualified in four or five years time,
I think we should keep the spirit alive anyway and keep hoping.
An 'Ireland’s Eye’ report broadcast on 11 May 1983. The reporter is John O'Donoghue.
