You’ve probably seen the photos. Craggy cliffs, turquoise water that looks way too tropical for the North Atlantic, and those tiny, whitewashed cottages tucked into green hillsides. It’s the dream, right? But for the people actually living there, the reality is a bit more complicated than a postcard. That’s exactly why the Irish government launched Ireland Our Living Islands, a massive 10-year policy aimed at saving offshore communities from literally disappearing.
People got a bit obsessed with the headlines last year. You might remember the "Get Paid to Move to an Irish Island" clickbait that went viral. Honestly, it was a bit misleading. No one is just handing out checks the moment you step off the ferry at Inis Mór. But the actual policy? It’s arguably the most ambitious attempt in Europe to keep remote island life viable in a world that’s increasingly obsessed with big-city hubs.
What Ireland Our Living Islands Is Actually Trying to Do
Let’s get the basics straight. This isn't just about tourism. It’s about survival. Ireland has around 30 offshore islands that aren't connected to the mainland by bridges. These spots, from the Aran Islands in Galway to Bere Island in Cork, have been losing people for decades. Young people leave for university or jobs in Dublin or London and, well, they don't come back.
The Ireland Our Living Islands policy is a 10-year framework. It’s not a quick fix. Heather Humphreys, the Minister for Rural and Community Development, pushed this through because the infrastructure was, frankly, falling apart in some places. We're talking about 80 specific actions. High-speed broadband. Better piers. Making sure a kid on Inis Meáin has the same educational opportunities as a kid in Cork city.
It’s about "sustainability." That's a buzzword, I know. But here, it means something real. It means having enough people on the island to keep the school open. It means having a GP who doesn't have to fly in by helicopter every time someone has a fever.
The "Free Money" Myth and the Vacant Property Grant
Okay, let's talk about the money because that’s what everyone googles. The headlines shouted about €80,000 grants. It sounds like a lot. It is a lot. But there are strings attached. Big ones.
The core of the financial side is the Croí Cónaithe (Vacant Property Refurbishment Grant).
Basically, if you buy a house on one of these islands that has been vacant for at least two years, you can get up to €60,000 to fix it up. If the house is "derelict"—meaning it's literally a shell or structurally unsound—that grant jumps to €84,000.
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Here is the catch: You have to actually live there. Or at least rent it out. You can't just take the money, paint a wall, and flip the house for a profit three months later. You also have to prove the costs. You don't just get a lump sum in your bank account to spend on Guinness and sweaters. You spend the money on contractors and materials, and then the government pays you back. It’s a massive commitment.
I’ve talked to people who looked into this. The logistics are wild. Imagine trying to get a cement truck onto a ferry. Or finding a plumber who is willing to spend three days on an island where the weather might turn and trap them there for a week. The costs of renovation on an island are often 30% to 50% higher than on the mainland. So that €84,000? It disappears fast.
The Remote Work Revolution
Remote work changed everything for these islands.
Ten years ago, moving to Clare Island meant you were either a fisherman, a farmer, or retired. Now? If you have a decent Starlink connection or one of the new high-speed hubs the government is installing, you can be a software developer for a firm in San Francisco while looking out at the Atlantic.
Ireland Our Living Islands is leaning hard into this. They are setting up "Digital Hubs." These are basically co-working spaces where the internet actually works. It’s a game-changer. It allows the "brain drain" to reverse. We’re seeing a small but steady trickle of families moving back. They want their kids to grow up speaking Irish—which is the first language on many of these islands—but they also need to pay the mortgage.
Why Culture is the Secret Sauce
We can’t talk about these islands without talking about the Irish language. Many of the islands covered by the policy are in the Gaeltacht. These are regions where Gaeilge is the primary tongue.
If these islands die, a huge chunk of Irish culture dies with them. The music, the storytelling, the specific way of life—it’s all tied to the land. The government knows this. Part of the policy is specifically about supporting Irish-speaking communities. It’s not just about economy; it’s about identity.
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The Dark Side: Housing and Healthcare
It’s not all rugged romance. There are massive problems.
Housing is the biggest one. Even with the grants, there is a shortage of homes. Some islands have plenty of ruins but no houses you can actually move into tomorrow.
And then there’s the "AirBnB effect." Like everywhere else in the world, locals are being priced out by holiday rentals. It’s a weird paradox. The islands need tourists to survive, but if every house is a tourist rental, there are no locals left to run the pubs or the shops. Ireland Our Living Islands tries to address this by prioritizing long-term residency, but it’s an uphill battle.
Healthcare is another "elephant in the room."
If you’re 25 and healthy, living on an island is an adventure. If you’re 75 and need regular dialysis or specialized care, it’s terrifying. The policy promises better e-health services—essentially doctor appointments over video—but that only goes so far. The reality is that islanders still rely heavily on the Coast Guard and rescue helicopters.
Is it Working?
It’s early days. The policy was launched in mid-2023. You don't fix fifty years of decline in two years.
But the energy has shifted. There’s a sense of hope that wasn't there before.
Take Aranmore (Árainn Mhór) off the coast of Donegal. They’ve been very proactive. They reached out to tech companies years ago to get better connectivity. They aren't waiting for the government to do everything. They’re using the Ireland Our Living Islands framework as a springboard.
What You Should Know Before You Pack Your Bags
If you're seriously thinking about moving to an Irish island, or even just visiting to see what the fuss is about, you need to be realistic.
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- The Weather is a Character. It’s not just "rain." It’s horizontal wind that will rip the door out of your hand. It’s being "stormed in" and missing your flight from Dublin because the ferry couldn't sail.
- Community is Mandatory. On the mainland, you can ignore your neighbors. On an island, you can't. You need them. They need you. If your car breaks down, you’re not calling AAA; you’re calling the guy down the road who happens to be good with engines.
- The Costs are Real. Everything is more expensive. Groceries, fuel, building materials. It all has to come by boat.
The Ireland Our Living Islands initiative is a brave experiment. It’s Ireland saying that these tiny outcrops of rock are worth more than their economic output. They are the soul of the country.
Actionable Steps for Interested Movers
Don't just jump on a plane. If the idea of island life actually appeals to you—beyond the Instagram aesthetic—here is how you actually navigate the Ireland Our Living Islands landscape.
First, visit the official Gov.ie portal and search for the "Our Living Islands" policy document. Read the 80 actions. It’ll give you a sense of which islands are getting which upgrades. Some are focusing on piers, others on schools.
Second, check the Vacant Property Refurbishment Grant requirements specifically for offshore islands. You’ll need to prove the property has been vacant. You’ll also need to get a structural survey before you even think about applying.
Third, spend a month there in November. Anyone can love Inis Oírr in July when the sun is out and the tourists are buying ice cream. Go when the horizontal sleet is hitting the windows and the last ferry has been canceled. If you still love it then, you’re ready.
Finally, look into the Local Authority websites for the specific county. Islands are managed by Cork, Galway, Mayo, Donegal, or Kerry County Councils. Each has a slightly different way of handling planning permission and grants.
Living on an island isn't an escape from life. It's a deeper immersion into it. The Ireland Our Living Islands policy just makes it a little bit more possible for the next generation to stay. Over the next decade, we'll see if it's enough to turn the tide. Regardless, the effort itself is a testament to the enduring grip these islands have on the Irish heart.