Education, healthcare and gender-based violence were among the key concerns raised by locals in a study of Co. Longford.
A research project conducted by the Department of Law and Government at DCU has been examining common challenges in Longford, Mayo and Monaghan, and how they are reflected across the border in mid-Ulster.
More than 100 women took part in structured discussions at a series of deliberative cafés, which also took place in Edgeworthstown.
Disillusion with politics repeatedly appeared in the responses, as well as the uneven delivery of rural services such as road infrastructure and broadband.
The research project aims to study the constitutional future of counties in Ireland and promote cross-border conversations.
Researcher at DCU, Shelley Deane, said the project highlighted the importance of communication locally:
