All of a sudden, and out of nowhere, it looks as if Moville is seeing signs of recovery. Just when the gloom looked deepest and with our youngsters still emigrating to find work, it looks as if Moville is taking its first steps to recovery.
I’ve spoken to several local businesses who confirm this. The shops are suddenly busier and there have been far more meals eaten out at local restaurants this year than there were last year.
Part of this is due to the good summer we had, part is because of the Year of the Gathering and the sterling good work of all those involved in making it a success and another part is down to the knock-on effect of Derry City of Culture 2013.
More people came to the DylanFest and BeatlesFest this year and for other events in the area.
Effect
As a result of the extra tourist activity, local businessmen and women have been spending more and that is having a knock on effect on the economy here.
They reckon that every Euro brought into an area gets spent an average of 6 times so that 6 people get the advantage of it.
With Big Ben’s (Town Clock) now open again and the successful Inish Fusion and the Lakes taking over at The Point, suddenly there are more businesses opening than closing and that is a good sign.
Of course, the real icing on the cake would be the re-opening of the recently purchased Caiseal Mara Hotel. I’m told that it employed 20-30 people when it was open before. It would stop some of the drain of our young people to faraway countries and maybe even entice some of them back again.
Suddenly it is all looking much brighter in Moville.
Let’s hope it continues.