Limerick in 2050 imagines by leading economist Professor Stephen Kinsella

Professor Stephen Kinsella, Associate Professor of Economics at UL, encouraged attendees at a Network Ireland Limerick event to change their mindset about land and open their minds to new ways of developing Limerick as he set out the opportunities and threats for our city and region in 30 years time.

Limerick in 2050 imagines by leading economist Professor Stephen Kinsella

Professor Stephen Kinsella, Associate Professor of Economics at UL, encouraged attendees at a Network Ireland Limerick event to change their mindset about land and open their minds to new ways of developing Limerick as he set out the opportunities and threats for our city and region in 30 years time.

Professor Stephen Kinsella is Associate Professor of Economics at the University of Limerick, Ireland and a Research Fellow at the University of Melbourne, Australia. Stephen is an award-winning weekly columnist for the Sunday Business Post. 

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Network Ireland Limerick, which provides a forum where women in business, the professions and the Arts to exchange business ideas and increase their business contacts, organised the event in association with Limerick Chamber Skillnet on 24 October in the Savoy Hotel, Limerick.

During the talk, Professor Kinsella posed vital questions about some of the choices we’re making or not making today and their potential implications on how we will live in the future.

He examined the impact of significant changes in our population and demographic makeup will have on how and where we live in 2050. By that time the Irish population will reach 6.7 million.  Currently, 600,000 are now aged over 60, but by 2050 1.6m of the population will be over 65 years of age as we live longer. Limerick’s ability to cope with such population increases means we will have to build up rather than out according to Kinsella.

Limerick’s status as Ireland’s first lighthouse city and the funding secured to enable the city to become a smart positive energy city is crucial and presents significant opportunities. He believes this project, combined with plans to reimagine Georgian Limerick, steps in the right direction saying “this vision for Living Georgian Limerick is a blueprint that will hopefully be rolled out to other areas around the city.”

Professor Stephen Kinsella also believes it’s necessary for the universities and city to develop deeper connections. “Limerick’s universities will contribute greatly to the success of Limerick’s future. Don’t underestimate the value of higher education in the public sector,” he said.

Valerie Murphy, President of Network Limerick, said “Stephen provided a fascinating and thought-provoking insight into all the factors that are at play that could influence the success of our city. It is clear that we need to be mindful of the policies that are being enforced today and how they will impact future generations. We’re delighted to have hosted this event in association with Limerick Chamber Skillnet.”

Network Ireland Limerick made a donation to Stephen’s chosen charity as a thank you for his talk. He chose local charity Childen’s Grief Project who offer support to children affected by loss through death, separation or divorce.

Network Ireland Limerick provides a forum where women in business, the professions and the Arts can exchange business ideas and increase their business contacts. It encourages women to achieve more satisfying careers and promotes women as worthy contributors to the Irish economy. Network Ireland Limerick is a branch of Network Ireland, a national organisation driving the personal and professional development of women with over 1,000 members and 12 branches through the country. 

Network Ireland Limerick holds monthly networking meetings where a guest speaker is invited to educate, inform and entertain on topics of interest to women. Members can develop and pool their individual skills through interaction with other women in a supportive environment which offers, training, mentoring and an opportunity for women who call on other members with specialist expertise for help. It also provides a forum for established women to develop professional and social contacts.

Network Ireland Limerick is sponsored by the Local Enterprise Offices in Limerick.  The Local Enterprise Office is the First Stop Shop for anyone seeking information and support on starting or growing a business in Ireland. 

AIB is a partner with Network Ireland and supports the organisation at both a national and regional level.

For more information on Network Ireland, go here

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