Ireland Offers $92,000 Grants To Restore Abandoned Homes On Remote Islands

The Irish government is offering generous grants of up to $92,000 to people who are willing to move to and renovate old homes on its remote Atlantic islands. The plan, called “Our Living Islands,” was launched in 2023 to help bring life back to small island communities that have been losing population for years.

Officials say the goal is to make island living possible again by supporting housing, education, healthcare, and transport. The islands are known for their rugged beauty and history, but life there can be tough because many are cut off from the mainland by the tide and have limited access to modern services.

“The aim of this policy is to reverse the trend of depopulation on our offshore islands by supporting those communities with an all-of-government approach,” said the Irish government. “We want sustainable, vibrant communities that can continue to live and thrive on the islands for many years to come.”

Under this plan, the Irish government is offering up to €84,000 ($92,000) for people who renovate derelict homes that have been abandoned for years. For homes that are simply vacant but in better condition, applicants can receive up to €60,000 ($67,000) in support.

The funding can be used for major repairs, rebuilding roofs, fixing structures, or restoring walls. It can also cover more basic improvements such as plumbing, painting, and electrical work. The goal is to make old houses liveable again and encourage people to move in permanently.

This is an expansion of an earlier project called the Vacant Property Refurbishment Grant, which provided smaller payments of around $55,000. The new version focuses on remote islands and offers more money because of the higher costs of construction and transportation in such isolated places.

There are about 30 inhabited islands off the coast of Ireland that qualify for this program. These include well-known spots such as Inis Mór, Inis Meáin, and Inis Oírr in the Aran Islands, Inishbofin, Clare Island, Bere Island, Coney Island, Dursey, Inishturk, and Toraigh, one of Ireland’s most remote islands.

Inis Mór, where parts of the Oscar-nominated movie The Banshees of Inisherin were filmed, is one of the most famous among them. These islands attract thousands of tourists every year, with around 300,000 annual visitors, but fewer than 3,000 people now live there permanently.

Over the last two decades, many young people have moved away to cities for better job and education opportunities, leaving behind older residents and empty houses. The government hopes that new financial help will inspire people to return and rebuild these small island communities.

How To Apply

To apply for the grant, people must meet a few important conditions. Applicants must legally live in Ireland and agree to use the renovated home as their main residence. The property must have been vacant for at least two years and built before 2008.

Applicants also need to own the property or be in the process of buying it. Companies or developers are not allowed to apply, and all applicants must have their tax records up to date.

The process of applying for the “Our Living Islands” grant is handled through the local city or county council. Interested individuals can download the Vacant Property Refurbishment Grant application form from the official Irish government housing website or request it directly from the local council office.

Once the application is submitted, local authorities review it to confirm eligibility. If approved, the grant will be paid in stages as the renovation progresses. Inspections may take place to ensure that the money is being used correctly.

The funding can be used for essential restoration work, such as fixing roofs, repairing structures, or upgrading water and power systems. It can also cover smaller finishing works like painting or flooring, as long as they are part of making the home fit for living.

Foreigners, including Americans, can buy property in Ireland since there are no restrictions on foreign ownership. However, owning a house does not automatically give a person the right to live in Ireland. To receive the grant, the person must be a legal resident of the country.

That means Americans or others who are not Irish residents cannot apply for the grant directly. However, people with Irish parents or grandparents may qualify for dual citizenship, which could make them eligible.

Even for those who qualify, island life is not easy. Many of these islands are cut off daily by tides and have no bridges connecting them to the mainland. Access often depends on ferries or small boats, and some areas have limited shops, schools, or hospitals.

The Irish government says it wants to save its island communities from disappearing completely. Many of these islands have beautiful landscapes, strong cultural traditions, and a deep sense of community, but they face problems like an aging population, few jobs, and high living costs.

By giving people money to fix up old homes, the government hopes to bring new families to the islands, create jobs for builders and tradesmen, and increase local tourism.

A government statement explained, “Island communities generally have a higher than average age profile, as many young adults leave the islands to avail of further education or employment opportunities elsewhere.”

Former Minister for Rural and Community Development said when the plan was launched, “Our Living Islands is an ambitious ten-year policy that shows our commitment to supporting our island communities so they can have a bright and sustainable future.”

The Irish government’s plan has been compared to Italy’s “1-euro home” program, which attracted buyers to deserted villages. However, while Italy’s offer required buyers to pay for all repairs themselves, Ireland is providing real funding support.

For those who love peace, nature, and a slower pace of life, this could be a dream opportunity — but only for those ready to commit to island living.