by Alan Jacques
A MAJOR new research study will put the County Limerick village of Doon under the microscope to examine its population profile and socio-economic status.
The project, being carried out by the Geography Department at Mary Immaculate College, aims to throw some new light on life in small communities throughout the county. Supported by Thomond Archaeological Society, the in-depth study will be carried out by undergraduate student Louise Conroy.
Initiated by the Doon Historical Society, whose chairman Donal Anderson is a leading community activist, this is the first major research project on small communities since Bishop Newman’s Rural Survey Study in 1954. Mr Anderson believes the study will provide useful management information, which will help community leaders and planners in Doon.
“This study is of vital importance to our understanding of a small rural community and will act as a template for the study of other rural areas,” he explained.
“Doon can be seen as a microcosm of the larger county community. In recent years several significant changes have taken place in it. A very important objective of the study is to define the area, its population profile and its socio-economic status.”
Meanwhile, President of Thomond Archaeological Society, Randal Hodkinson, said that he hoped that through an inventory of Doon’s rich heritage sites would form part of the study going forward.
