Shamrock and Thistle Rural Action Partnership (STRAP)

Introduction and Background

Fostering cultural understanding and learning between Northern and Southern Ireland and Scotland

Since 2002 the Shamrock and Thistle Rural Action Partnership (STRAP) has helped to forge relationships between 3 rural and small town areas in Southern Ireland, Northern Ireland and Scotland.

They began with personal and then community connections between
• The Birches in the Borough of Craigavon, Northern Ireland
• Aberfoyle in the Sterling Council area of Scotland
• The communities of the Tochar Valley Rural Community Network, Co. Mayo, Southern Ireland

These initial connections have broadened and deepened over the years and led to a series of exchanges which have involved community organisations, local businesses, local authorities and local residents.

The benefits of these exchanges have included:
• Growing understanding of each others cultures
• Learning and exchanges of good practice in rural and small town development and regeneration
• Developing civic relationships