Convergences and Divergences in Rural Community Resilience—Case Studies from Ireland and the United Kingdom

The concept of rural community resilience has gained increased traction among academics, policy-makers and rural development practitioners. Resilience is associated with communities’ abilities to manage structural change, deal with shocks and recover or ‘bounce-back’ from setbacks. Yet, there is a dearth of clarity regarding the concept, and there is a need for a greater understanding of the drivers and inhibitors of rural community resilience. This chapter seeks to address these gaps, and it sets out a multi-dimensional lens through which rural community resilience and vibrancy can be understood and measured. It presents two case studies—one from Ireland and one from the United Kingdom—both of which used self-assessment tools and action-research methodologies. While the geographical contexts were different, the case study findings converge to underscore the multi-dimensional nature of resilience, the significance of place and the influence of economic and institutional externalities in determining levels of resilience and vibrancy. The findings reveal the importance of good governance along with effective structures, strong local leadership and the inclusion of diverse voices in local decision-making. The research results also point to the need for ongoing investment in animation and capacity-building and basic local services. As rural communities seek to bounce-back from the effects of the recent pandemic, there is a need for concerted efforts to reinvigorate and sustain local social capital.