Tertiary Economic Activities (Leaving Cert Geography): Revision Notes

Tertiary Economic Activities

What are tertiary economic activities?

Tertiary economic activities focus on providing services rather than producing physical goods. Teachers offering education, doctors providing healthcare, and tour guides sharing local knowledge are all examples of tertiary sector workers. These service-based industries are generally found in wealthier regions, while areas dominated by primary (farming, fishing) and secondary (manufacturing) industries tend to have lower income levels.

Transport

Transport challenges in the West

The West region faces significant obstacles in developing its transport network. The area's mountainous terrain makes road construction expensive and technically challenging. Bog and marsh areas cause foundations to sink, further increasing costs. Many roads must wind around mountains rather than cutting straight through them, creating longer journey times.

Since the region is predominantly rural with low population density, developing comprehensive public transport systems proves economically unviable. Most people rely on private cars for transport, while goods are moved using heavy goods vehicles (HGVs).

Roads

Galway serves as the designated gateway for the West region's development, making it the focal point for transport improvements. The completion of the M6 motorway has dramatically reduced travel time between Dublin and Galway, making it competitive with rail transport in terms of speed.

However, Galway's central location has created significant traffic congestion problems. The city's dense population causes delays during peak hours, affecting both commuters and freight deliveries. To address this issue, authorities have replaced roundabouts with traffic lights and introduced improved traffic management systems.

The Galway City Bypass Project remains in planning stages. This proposed route would allow through-traffic to avoid the city centre entirely. However, funding shortages and public disagreement about its effectiveness have delayed construction indefinitely.

Road improvements extend beyond Galway. Upgrades along the N17, N18, and N59 routes aim to reduce travel times to Shannon Airport, Limerick, and other major destinations. These enhanced connections are expected to stimulate economic growth throughout the region.

In contrast, road networks in Roscommon and Mayo remain less developed. The N5 provides the only national primary route to Dublin from these counties, with many sections in poor condition, particularly through Roscommon. Economic recession has led to funding cuts for planned improvements.

Railway

Rail transport usage has declined as road networks have improved. With the M6 motorway complete, travelling by train to Dublin no longer offers time or cost advantages over driving.

The reopening of passenger services between Limerick and Galway provides a more realistic commuting option for workers in the area. This service also connects smaller towns along the route, potentially attracting shoppers and tourists to the region.

Freight rail development focuses on creating industrial connections between the region and major ports. A freight line linking Ballina to Dublin and Waterford ports facilitates the import and export of materials.

The West=On=Track campaign, established in 2003, advocates for reopening the Western Rail Corridor (WRC). Supporters believe this freight line could stimulate economic activity throughout the West region by providing better balance between eastern and western infrastructure development.

Air

Ireland West Airport at Knock, County Mayo, serves as the region's only international airport. Since opening in 1986, it has become a crucial transport link, handling nearly one million passengers annually and employing over 1,000 people.

The airport provides access to business and tourist markets across the UK and European Union. Government funding continues until 2023, after which the airport is expected to achieve financial independence.

Galway Airport faced significant challenges during the economic recession. Passenger numbers dropped by 80% between 2007 and 2011, leading to closure in November 2011 when its main business partner, Aer Arann, ceased operations. Over 250 jobs were lost. The airport reopened in January 2015 but only handles freight services, with passenger operations unlikely to resume.

Port

The West region lacks major cargo or passenger ports. Galway Harbour can handle cargo but remains too outdated to attract significant industrial traffic or international passenger services.

Tourism

Nearly 66% of people in the West region work in the tertiary sector, with most employment directly or indirectly connected to tourism. The industry has evolved significantly over the past two decades, with more diverse tourist facilities including hotels, guesthouses, B&Bs, youth hostels, and spa/leisure centres.

Galway attracts the majority of tourists due to its developed transport connections and reputation as a cultural centre. Tourism in the West region falls into four main categories:

Natural attractions

The West region markets itself as having wild, natural, and unspoilt scenery. The Atlantic Ocean has shaped the coastline, creating unique landforms such as the dramatic cliffs along Croaghaun Mountain in County Mayo. International surfers are drawn to the large Atlantic waves, leading to surfing schools establishing along many coastal areas.

The Wild Atlantic Way provides tourists with a walking and cycling route exploring the region's dramatic coastline between Westport and Achill Island. River Shannon boating trips offer visitors opportunities to experience natural ecosystems firsthand.

Connemara National Park covers 2,957 hectares of scenic mountains, bogs, woodlands, heaths and grasslands. Four mountains within the park form part of the famous Twelve Pins peaks. The park attracts diverse tourists interested in hillwalking, photography, geology, and horticulture.

Cultural attractions

The region hosts Ireland's largest Gaeltacht (Irish-speaking area). Each summer, the Connemara Gaeltacht welcomes over 20,000 students to its Irish language colleges. Students also participate in traditional Irish activities including céilí dancing and storytelling.

The Céide Fields in County Mayo represent the world's best-preserved Stone Age settlements. At over 5,000 years old and covering 10 square kilometres, these fields contain megalithic tombs and dwellings, showing visitors how Ireland's first farmers lived.

Heritage towns throughout the region attract cultural tourists. Westport in County Mayo was constructed during the Georgian Period (1714-1830). Strokestown in County Roscommon houses the Famine Museum, drawing visitors worldwide, particularly Irish-Americans whose ancestors emigrated during the Great Famine.

Religious pilgrimages

Knock in County Mayo functions as a major Marian Shrine, attracting Catholic pilgrims globally. The shrine's popularity led to construction of Knock International Airport (now Ireland West Airport, Knock) in 1985.

Croagh Patrick in County Mayo is known as 'Ireland's holiest mountain', serving as a place of worship for over 5,000 years. Pilgrims believe St Patrick remained there for 40 days during his Lenten fast. On the last Sunday in July, thousands of people climb the mountain to demonstrate their devotion to Ireland's patron saint.

Sporting occasions

Beyond surfing, the West has developed popularity for water sports including cliff diving, kayaking, angling, and triathlons. Gaelforce West represents a challenging endurance race attracting thousands of competitors annually, taking participants through some of the region's most spectacular scenery.

Outdoor adventure resorts such as Delphi Mountain Resort and Petersburg Outdoor Activity Centre (both in County Mayo) cater to adventure tourism.

The Galway Races attract tens of thousands of visitors during the week-long festival, generating over €70 million annually for the local economy. The Volvo Ocean Race, held in Galway twice, draws sailing enthusiasts from various countries.

Several golf courses along the West coast offer tourists opportunities to play golf in Atlantic coastal conditions.

Challenges facing tourism in the West

Despite numerous attractions, tourism faces several limiting factors:

Solutions to tourism challenges

Discover Ireland and Fáilte Ireland are government tourism agencies promoting Irish regions. Both agencies run advertising campaigns highlighting each region's unique offerings. For the West, campaigns emphasise scenic attractions and adventure opportunities.

The M6 motorway completion made the West more accessible despite transport and tourism development cutbacks during recession. Shannon Airport's separation from Dublin and Cork airports allows it to operate independently, enabling competitive lobbying for flight and airline contracts. Shannon passenger numbers have increased by 8% annually as a result.

Planned Galway port developments could attract European cruise ships for stopovers, significantly increasing tourist numbers visiting the city.

Digital platforms such as booking.com and tripadvisor.com enable small tourist businesses to advertise to much wider markets than traditional methods would allow.