As we wrap up our trip to Ireland, I find myself wondering where all the time went. We went and saw so many amazing landscapes and met wonderful people. I couldn’t have asked for a better trip to see the amazing countryside of Ireland as well as tour the cities it has to offer. Some of the most memorable moments for me were the elevating hikes we went on like the Slieve League Cliffs or our tip down to Murderhole Beach. These types of remarkable landscapes are things that I can’t see back at home, and even though I’m not the best photographer, the views speak for themselves and make beautiful memories for me to look back at.
Now on to my final thoughts about Carrigart. After our final presentations, I really felt like I gained a better understanding of why small towns are the way they are. They need to form a strong community to help each other and utilize all they have to offer. One common take away from this experience was how much of an impact simple ideas and suggestions can make to a small town that needs more tourism in the offseason. My presentation was mainly about the impact a town website can actually make and the boost from social media. It wasn’t necessarily the website design or funding that was holding them back, but the question of who would be running and creating the website. Overall, small towns like Carrigart can have a hard time keeping up with local government systems as there are a limited number of people and resources. Some of my favorite visits talked about this like Louis Boyce who owns real estate around Donegal. I liked listening to his perspective about how businesses are quite independent and how they could benefit from collaboration and the influence of a local government. But it wasn’t just the larger scale conversations that caught my attention, I also loved listening to the small business owner’s opinions like the owner of a kayak rental and the chef editor of a local newspaper. All these businesses had one thing in common, and that was the fact that each had different defining traits that made their business special and unique. Some focused on the natural assets that Ireland has to offer, and some played off of the traditional vibes of Carrigart.
Whether we were meeting with larger business owners like McNutts, or individuals like Annette from the gift shop, I learned a lot hearing the different perspectives of these pioneers. While Ireland is a beautiful place and a lot can be said without a word, listening to these amazing speakers willing to give up their time is an experience I’ll never forget. I’m so incredibly grateful for this experience and having the opportunity to dive into the business world. I’m so excited for what the future holds and will carry this experience with me forever.