You’ve probably seen the headlines by now: “Ireland is offering up to $92,000 to people who move to one of its remote islands”. Does this sound too good to be true? I know it does. Well, surprisingly… it’s real. But like anything that goes viral, the full story has a few more layers.
Ireland’s “Our Living Islands” initiative is a government-backed program designed to breathe new life into its more than 30 remote offshore islands. These aren’t your typical tourist spots. We are actually talking about very rugged, ferry-only islands scattered along the country’s stunning western coastline.
So here’s the real deal: This isn’t some fantasy or viral clickbait. If you’re genuinely willing to roll up your sleeves, buy a vacant or run-down house on one of Ireland’s remote islands, and commit to bringing it back to life, the Irish government might give you up to €84,000 (that’s around US$92,000) to help make it livable again.
But what’s the catch? Honestly, I don’t there’s much. The Irish government has a clear goal, which is to breathe new life into these quiet, often overlooked islands. The truth is that many of them have seen their populations shrink over the decades, with young people moving to cities and old houses falling into ruin. So this grant is part of a bigger push to repopulate these stunning rural places, preserve their culture, and make sure the charm of island life doesn’t fade into history.
Here’s How It Works:
First off you don’t need to be Irish to qualify. That’s right. Whether you’re from the U.S., Singapore, Ghana, or anywhere else, you’re eligible. This isn’t one of those local-only schemes. Ireland is opening the door to anyone who’s ready to invest some heart and energy into reviving a forgotten home.
Now, about the house. It has to be old and empty. I’m talking about properties built before 2007 that have been sitting vacant for at least two years. The kind of places most people might scroll past on property sites (crumbling walls, leaky roofs, busted windows) that’s actually what they’re looking for.
And here’s the part that gets really interesting: the worse the condition, the more you might get. You could receive any of the following:
- Up to €60,000 (around $67,000) for a regular vacant home
- Or a full €84,000 (roughly $92,000) if the property is considered derelict (meaning it’s not just empty but truly unlivable by current standards).
Of course, there’s one important rule: You can’t just fix it up and flip it into an Airbnb. The home must become your primary residence or be used for long-term rental. The goal here isn’t about vacation profits. The government wants real people living real lives in these communities and helping revive the soul of Ireland’s islands.
In addition to saving old buildings, this initiative also has the objective of preserving the social and cultural fabric of these island communities. For Ireland, it’s a chance to keep these places from vanishing. If you are a dreamer or adventurer, it’s a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to start over in one of the most scenic, remote corners of Europe. The good thing is that you get some financial help along the way.
But let’s be real…
Moving to a remote Irish island isn’t all fairytale and sea breezes. These islands have limited services, unpredictable weather, and life moves at a much slower pace. You’re not getting a luxury beach house. What you’re getting is a fixer-upper that requires serious time, money, and effort. That said, if you’re someone who craves peace, solitude, and a tight-knit community, it might just be the adventure you’re looking for.
If you want to explore further or even apply, check out the official resource here.
I’ll definitely be keeping an eye on this one. Who knows, maybe I’ll go check it out for Explore With Kojo someday.
