Leitrim's lure is lower prices and water

The county of "Lovely Leitrim" has been attracting water-loving foreign nationals for many years. The county's boggy terrain with numerous lakes and rivers is considered a rare and valuable commodity by Europeans. The added blessing of relatively inexpensive properties makes owning a holiday, retirement or primary home in Leitrim irresistible for those seeking certain lifestyles.

Artists and craft-workers, such as German-born candle maker Pete Kern, have found the county a haven for creative pursuits. "It felt like home for the very first time and I still can't explain it today," says Pete, who stumbled across Leitrim in 1980 on his way from Germany to the Asia Pacific region. "It was a step on the way to New Zealand. A friend bought up an old cottage and asked for some help. In one week, I forgot about New Zealand." His company name, Rainbow Candle, was inspired by his favourite aspect of living in Leitrim - the rainbows.

Untainted natural beauty and affordability may all factor into an artist's decision to live in the county, says Dorothy Clarke, chief executive officer of Leitrim County Enterprise Board. In 1997, the board made a conscious decision to help local artists, she says. "We had various artists skilled in things like wood and stone work but many of them were struggling or were dependent on unemployment benefit. Some approached our office looking for financial assistance or business advice. With that in mind, we set up an arts and crafts programme."

Visual Leitrim, the artists' and craft-workers' company, has 30-40 members. Some of the artists are from Leitrim or other parts of the country but quite a few are German, English, Swiss and Dutch, says Ms Clarke.

In the past, angler Keith Evans, from Wetherby, in Yorkshire, arrived in Ireland on the early morning ferry from England. He joined dozens of like-minded anglers in cars laden with fishing rods as they abandoned urban abodes for the solitude of Ireland's waterways. Fishing for breem, tench and pike during day trips wasn't enough for Mr Evans, however. In November 1997, he and his wife, Sheila, moved to Leitrim.

"We both enjoy fishing, walking and the outdoor life. The freedom you get in Ireland you don't get in England. In England, there are always other people on the bank. Here you get away from all that. "In Leitrim, there are such a tremendous number of areas to fish, a feeling of freedom and a laid-back attitude. I used to work in Leeds city centre and it's super to be able to get in your car and park outside your door here."

Mr Evans's love affair with the county began in 1966 during a fishing holiday and flourished during subsequent trips. "I always had a dream to retire here. In 1994, we made a decision to look around for a property and move over here." The Evanses found good value for money in Leitrim as a house of similar size and location in England was nearly double the price.

Liam Farrell of estate agents William Farrell & Sons in Carrick-on-Shannon and Ballinamore says: "House prices have risen significantly but there are very keen country cottages in reasonable shape for £30,000£40,000. A nice, larger stone house runs from £50,000£100,000 depending on the specification."

As always, water access or views boost the price. "The River Shannon system is more expensive because it gives people the option to use the river system and is therefore more desirable. A nice place would be basically from £50,000 upwards, refurbished £80,000£100,000 then special purchases from £120,000£150,000 or more."

Leitrim isn't for everyone, warns Mr Evans. "This isn't an area where you'd come to spend your two weeks holiday unless it's water-based. I can't see much here except for water. I think Leitrim floats."

Those who enjoy fishing or boating adore the Shannon and the region's many lakes. "I think that must be why continental Europeans are attracted to it. In the main, the price of property is cheap, there's water and freedom. If you want to forget the world away from city life, you've chosen the right place," he says.

Over the years, Mr Farrell has sold a number of Leitrim homes to foreign nationals. "They are interested in the county but it's a small percentage of total purchases. Lough Allen is the most popular. Germans are extremely keen on lake shore access because traditionally in Germany it's the preserve of the aristocratic families, so the idea of owning land with direct access to water would normally be beyond their reach."

By continental European standards, Ireland is relatively cheap, says Mr Farrell. "They also like the wide open spaces and the fact that the flora and fauna are relatively unaffected and that the industrial revolution has passed Leitrim by."

Leitrim's depopulation is well documented, falling from 155,297 in 1841 to 55,907 in 1926. By 1996, Leitrim had a population of 25,057 making it the lowest density county with just 15 people per sq km. According to the Central Statistics Office, the number of foreign nationals living in Leitrim during that same year was 2,005, totalling eight per cent of the county's population. The majority - 1,093 - are English and Welsh; Northern Irish: 363; German: 183; American: 135; Scottish: 80; and French 18.

The landscape and low industrial development so admired by nature lovers has caused serious unemployment in the region for generations. "Leitrim has a major infrastructure gap," says an IDA spokesman. Despite the addition of 280 jobs with the opening of the Masonite plant in 1996, development is still a major issue.

"The first priority of the county is re-population, as the availability of workers under 25 numbers just 300," says the spokesman. "The solution to that is the whole infrastructure of the county needs work to facilitate re-population and industrial development," he says. The County Enterprise Board says there are many thriving indigenous businesses involving food, wood and engineering. "We have a good, strong tradition of wood manufacturing businesses here that we hope to enhance and help to go upmarket."

Sectors depending on unpolluted areas with low development have turned Leitrim's perceived disadvantages into opportunities. Businesses specialising in growing vegetables and rearing animals in the organic way are relatively new and thriving additions to the county, says Ms Clarke.

In addition to timber processing, forestry and agri-businesses, Leitrim depends heavily on the tourist trade. "During the summer months a tremendous amount of English anglers are coming here and Germans like the pike fishing," says Mr Evans. "The Shannon is well fished but more access is needed. There are very few ways to fish from the bank and people are fishing in the lakes as a result. Access is a problem, because the land is boggy or reeded. There's a tremendous potential to build the tourist trade by development," says Mr Evans.

Tourists thinking of becoming residents should be willing to tolerate the solitary lifestyle of water-logged Leitrim but, says Mr Evans, "I've taken to it like a duck to water."