Anyone who’s ever watched the Irish sitcom Father Ted knows how thrilling life can be on a remote Irish island. But Ireland’s coastal island communities are shrinking, and the government is taking action to reverse the trend. Their “Our Living Islands” plan includes generous-sounding grants of up to 84,000 euros ($92,000) for those willing to adopt an island life.
Remote but beautiful
The policy covers 30 islands spread around Ireland. Most are sparsely populated, with the largest year-round population only numbering 700. In fact, the islands get more tourists than residents, drawing an estimated 3,000 visitors per year.
Bleak but beautiful, the islands typically lack infrastructure and permanent access to the mainland. Without bridges, the best you can hope for is to pick an island connected to the mainland during low tide.
Applications are open from July 1.
Some properties will need more work than others. A thatched cottage on Inis Mor. Photo: Shutterstock
There’s always a catch
But there’s a catch to the government payout. First, you’ll need to buy a vacant property on one of the islands. Then, to receive the maximum grant, the building has to have been vacant for at least two years, constructed before 1993, and marked as derelict. Finally, you can only use the money to renovate the property.
If remote island life isn’t your cup of tea, the Irish government has a similar program for the mainland. The grants are slightly lower — 70,000 euros/$77,000 vs. 84,000 euros/$92,000. But at least you’ll have access to Ireland’s biggest lingerie section.
