LONELINESS and isolation are affecting people both young and old across West Cork - with concerns a lack of social facilities are part of the problem.

BY ELIZABETH LYNOTT

The Southern Star has found a possible link between a dearth of social spaces, migration away from villages and a decline in ‘community spirit’ is impacting some residents.

Bandon boasts the largest population in West Cork - with over 8,000 residents according to the 2022 Census.  And this population is growing due to a major housing programme.  However, despite population growth, loneliness is an issue here too for some.

Bandon GAA Club adult secretary, Colman O’Mahony, said while the ‘social aspect to GAA is very important’ for those not attracted to the sport, there’s a lack of alternatives within the community.

There’s a visible need for more activities, Mr O’Mahony said.  This has been illustrated by an explosion in popularity of Thursday night bingo at the club, he said.

‘Pre the pandemic, the numbers had really dwindled,’ he added.  ‘Now we get up to 150 people a night.  That’s all ages, young and older.  That shows a real need for more things to do, for social outlets.

‘The GAA always looks after the community.  We have coffee mornings for older people and the younger people play GAA.  But anyone of any age can become a member and help out.  We welcome new people.

‘There’s a problem with facilities in towns like Bandon, a lack of places where people can meet.  We had a meeting recently about the community's need for a swimming pool and there’s no cinema here either.  If you’re not into the pub or GAA, where do you go?.’

A public meeting addressing the pool issue was held at the Munster Arms Hotel on December 4.  And a steering group has been established. At present the nearest public pool is a 55km round trip away in Dunmanway.

‘A pool would really help,’ Mr O’Mahony said.

 ‘But we need a number of options.  When I was growing up we had the cinema two to three times a week.  But for the young, it’s all social media now and computer games and that’s only led to isolation.

‘The older generation are isolated because many of the younger generation have moved away.  We’ve read headlines of older people dying in their homes in different parts of the country and not being found for some time.  That’s terribly sad and it’s all due to how isolated people have become.’

Mr O’Mahony said residents had once prioritised checking on older neighbours but now, he felt, they only did so if the authorities made alerts during storms.

‘We need to get back to how we were as communities and coming together more could help that,’ he added.

Mr O’Mahony (65) said Cork County Council and the Government should focus on the provision of more facilities across West Cork to reduce isolation.

‘Older people can’t drive to and from the pub anymore and the pubs don’t seem to cater for older people anymore either,’ he said.  ‘The expense of the pub is too much for many people now too.

‘We have 200 members at the club, 250 kids play and 100 adults play.  I’d encourage anyone, of any age, to come and get involved with the GAA, to play, or to become a member, to help out.  We’re a great way to become more involved in the community.  But there does need to be more options for everyone.’

Bandon GAA Club chairman Phil Murphy, said: ‘We would definitely benefit from having more facilities, like a cinema and swimming pool.  That would be very important to the community.

‘If anyone wants to join us at the club, they’re more than welcome too.  Our Thursday night bingo has been running for 47 years and people come from all over West Cork. 

‘Bandon GAA also has a healthy club status and we have activities for children and children with  special needs. Once every three months we invite our older members and older former members to attend in the club for tea and coffee. They have a chat and we update them on what’s happening on the playing field.’

In September 2025, The Southern Star released results from Our Great West Cork Farming Survey 2025, showing one in three farmers (30%) believe the pub is still a social hub within the community.  GAA and other sporting activities accounted for 25%.

However, 41% of farmers surveyed admitted to feeling isolated in their work, with almost half (48%) saying the isolation had affected their mental health.

Community Call - an initiative providing phone calls to older people - is based in Bantry.  The service, funded by the HSE, helps reduce isolation.

Louise O’Mahony, from Community Call, said there’s a ‘common denominator’ with those suffering isolation in West Cork.  Many are from a farming background and living in areas where community supports are limited, Ms O’Mahony stated.

‘There’s a lot of pressure for services for older people,’ Ms O’Mahony said.  ‘Older people are witnessing younger family members moving away and abroad.  It seems to be a usual thing where they end up on their own.

‘The community isn’t as close knit as it might have been years ago.  People say they don’t know their neighbours.  Some older people think life in general is busier now.  They feel left behind.   Some feel a burden.’

A lack of rural transportation compounds the issues and ‘people lose their independence when they stop driving.  That contributes to being isolated,’ she added.
The majority using the phone service are aged from 60 up to their 80s.  Ms O’Mahony and five volunteers call residents weekly or fortnightly.

‘You tend to build a relationship over the phone with them,’ she said. ‘You know when their hospital appointments are.’ Ms O’Mahony said residents should make an effort to call into older neighbours.

Gráinne Carr, Older Person and Carers Development Worker from Skibbereen Community and Family Resource Centre, said loneliness is a “normal experience” but the issues arise when ‘feelings of loneliness happen more frequently, more persistently’

‘Loneliness affects mental health and can affect physical health, so it’s really important to name it and look for ways to start feeling better and more connected to more people,’ Ms Carr added.

‘We’re always delighted when people contact us here in the Resource Centre and we’re happy to chat over the phone or here in the centre over a cuppa and suggest groups and activities to people to help them feel less lonely and more involved in their community.’

Men in particular ‘struggle to acknowledge feelings of isolation and loneliness and suffer in silence,’ she said.  Some view loneliness as a ‘sign of weakness when it most definitely isn’t,’ she added.

‘It’s simply a symptom of an unhealthy society in general.  Making that first call to a local community organisation might seem like a big step but it isn’t and can be the first step to making connections and finding shared interests with others,’ she said.

There’s a need for more funding for community based organisations, including for mental health services and for community building projects and events, she added.

‘There also needs to be more funding to provide more daily local rural bus routes, picking up people from more isolated homes as necessary,’ she stated.

She recommended people volunteer with groups including Tidy Towns, Bantry Cultural Companions and Green Skibbereen.

Independent councillor Finbarr Harrington, who represents Bantry, said: ‘Loneliness and isolation is a big issue.  I see it myself and hear about it myself from others.  Anyone feeling lonely, should reach out to community groups and organisations having events on and get involved and go visit people, get people to call into them.  It’s a stark reality and it’s not just affecting older people.  

‘If we have more facilities it would definitely help.  The young need to get involved in clubs, football, soccer, walking clubs.  There’s lots of clubs out there.

Cllr Harrington recommended Ireland Lights Up, the GAA’s popular free winter initiative where residents walk lit up pitches together from January 7th.  

Cork County Council told The Southern Star it is committed to providing an inclusive service via its 29 library branches.

A spokesperson added: ‘There is an extensive range of activities, including knitting, card playing, book clubs and gramophone recitals, on weekly and monthly. Daily and provincial newspapers are available to read in a warm and safe environment. ‘Age Friendly seating ensures the library space is a great place to meet and chat.’

It said community connection was supported via ‘book clubs, workshops, and events to foster social interaction and combat loneliness.’

The spokesperson concluded: ‘Customer training is undertaken by all staff. This equips them with the necessary skills to identify and respond to the various needs of their customer base including isolation and loneliness. Staff have also undergone Age Friendly and dementia training, and all branches have appointed an Age Friendly Champion.’

Funded under the Local Democracy Reporting Scheme.