5.1 million people are now living in Ireland.
Irish Rural Link believes the health crisis is challenging the narrative that services in rural areas should be closed.
Ireland has surpassed the 5 million population mark for the first time since the famine, according to the latest data from the CSO.
It also states the number of over 65s living here has risen by almost 20 percent in just five years.
CEO of the Moate based organisation Seamus Boland says it'll put pressure on the government to maintain services outside of Ireland's cities:
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