The Irish government has launched a scheme to revive more than 20 islands off the country’s western coastline, including Inis Mór and 10 Irish-speaking Gaeltacht islands. Grants of up to €84,000 will be offered to those who are willing to restore and live in derelict or vacant homes.
A team of Vacant Home Officers has already begun identifying eligible properties. Though there are no restrictions on who can purchase property in Ireland, owning a home is not enough to ensure one’s right to live on the island.
The government’s website provides information on the Our Living Islands policy as well as the existing refurbishment scheme. The program aims to attract residents to the islands and support local communities.
Inis Mór’s rugged landscape was featured in the film “The Banshees of Inisherin.” The Irish government hopes this initiative will provide new opportunities for those seeking to reside in peaceful, rural communities. Minister for Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht, Josepha Madigan, believes the scheme will “enhance the social, cultural and economic development of island communities.”
