The Government is being urged to increase investment in rural development, transport and access in Clare to help create more opportunities for young people.
It comes as new research has found nearly three quarters of young adults believe they would have a better quality of life outside Ireland.
Almost seven in ten young adults are considering emigrating, according to new research from the National Youth Council of Ireland.
The NYCI poll found 68 per cent of 18 to 24-year-olds are considering moving abroad, while 71 per cent believe they would have a better quality of life outside Ireland.
Almost nine in ten said they had been negatively affected by the cost of living, while 89 per cent agreed that the housing crisis disproportionately affects young people.
Killaloe native Mae McConigly, who is now studying in the Netherlands, says a lack of transport and job opportunities in Clare contributed to her decision to leave the country.
Katie Raggett moved from Killaloe to Belfast four years ago and is hoping to buy a home there within the next year.
She says that prospect is more realistic in the North, despite lower wages, and that she would never have left home if she felt she could achieve the same standard of living here.
Thomas Earle moved from Lissycasey to England to attend university and hopes to find employment there after graduation.
While he says he’d love to move home, he doesn’t believe there is enough Government investment in community facilities, particularly in rural areas.
Fionn Hayes, a Sixmilebridge-based musician, believes the grass isn’t always greener on the other side.
He says there are plenty of opportunities in Ireland, but he’s less optimistic about quality of life because of affordability concerns.
Listen to the full interview here:
