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The Big Headlines — and What They Actually Mean
Media outlets across the world ran attention-grabbing stories with headlines like: “Ireland will pay you $90,000 to start fresh on a quiet island.” In reality, the situation is more nuanced. The scheme behind those headlines is genuine — but it isn’t a free relocation payment.
What is the scheme
Our Living Islands is a policy introduced in 2023 by Ireland’s Department of Rural and Community Development aimed at revitalising the remote, offshore islands of Ireland that have experienced population decline.
As part of that, there is a refurbishment grant scheme which offers up to €84,000 (≈ US $90,000) for eligible vacant or derelict properties on certain islands.
What the grant is, and what it is not
• It is: A government grant intended only for the refurbishment of a vacant or derelict home on one of the qualifying islands.
• It is not: A payment simply for moving to the island, buying property, or using it as a holiday home.
• The property must be used as the applicant’s main residence, not a holiday let.
• Applicants must already have the right to live in Ireland, meaning it’s not a ready-made visa/immigration route.
Who is eligible
• The property must be located on one of the designated offshore islands (those with no bridge/land link to the mainland).
• It must have been vacant for at least two years and built before a certain date (often pre-1993) to qualify as “derelict” for the larger grant.
• Grant amounts differ based on condition: up to around €50,000 for a typical vacant home; up to €84,000 for a derelict one requiring major works.
Why Ireland Is Doing This
Many of Ireland’s offshore islands have suffered from population decline, especially among younger residents, as jobs, transport, and services have become more challenging. The policy aims to:
• Sustain vibrant island communities by encouraging people to live permanently rather than holiday-ing.
• Put vacant/derelict properties back into use instead of them becoming derelict ruins.
• Support broader infrastructure and service improvements on those islands (housing, broadband, transport) as part of the 10-year plan.
In short: it’s not just about giving people a dreamy island life, it’s about reviving and sustaining small communities that face risk of disappearing.
The Reality — What to Consider
If you’re thinking: “Great – a beautiful Irish island, ocean views, quiet life, €84k grant!” — here are some practical realities:
The positives
• You could get substantial support to refurbish an old home (if you meet the criteria).
• The setting: remote, scenic, peaceful — a very different pace of life.
• For someone working remotely or running a location-independent business, this could be a genuine lifestyle change.
• Being part of a smaller, community-oriented place can be rewarding in ways big city life isn’t.
The trade-offs & challenges
• The grant only covers refurbishment: you still need to buy or own the property, pump in the funds for works, manage logistics.
• On remote islands: logistics, transport, weather and service access (shops, healthcare, schools) can be far more challenging than mainland life.
• Just because a headline says “£70,000” or “$90,000” doesn’t mean that covers everything or that life is easy. People on those islands talk of ferry costs, higher supplier costs, isolation, weather disruptions.
• You must commit to using the home as your primary residence, so this is more a lifestyle decision, not a speculative investment or holiday home.
• The number of applicants so far has been relatively small — indicating that the scheme, while headline-grabbing, may be less straightforward than it sounds.
So — Is It “Free Money to Move to a Quiet Island”
No — not exactly. The headline “Ireland will pay you 90k to move to a quiet island” is misleading, though rooted in a real government scheme. The nuance is:
• The money is for refurbishing homes, not for relocation only.
• You must meet many eligibility criteria (ownership or buying the property; rights to reside; main residence; property condition).
• It’s a long-term commitment to live on the island, not just a vacation.
• It’s about reviving communities — the government is not paying people simply to move.
Final Thoughts
If you’re drawn to the idea of island life off Ireland’s wild coastline — dramatic cliffs, sea-spray, a strong sense of community — this scheme could represent an exciting opportunity. But treat it as a serious lifestyle & property project, not a casual relocation with a cheque attached.
You’ll need:
• The legal right to live in Ireland.
• The financial means to purchase (if buying) and refurbish a property.
• A willingness to embrace the challenges of remote living (transport, weather, services).
• The mindset of being part of a small community, rather than simply finding a holiday home.
Attached is a news article regarding Ireland paying people to move to a island for 90k
https://www.cbsnews.com/amp/news/ireland-92000-to-move-to-remote-islands-heres-how-it-works/
Article written and configured by Christopher Stanley
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