If you’ve ever fantasised about leaving everything behind for a quieter, more picturesque life by the coast, there’s a programme that could turn that dream into reality – and it’s just a stone’s throw from the UK.

The Irish government is providing substantial grants to people prepared to relocate to one of its isolated offshore islands and renovate an empty or run-down property.

The programme forms part of Ireland’s “Our Living Islands” policy, a decade-long plan unveiled in June 2023 by the Department of Rural and Community Development and the Gaeltacht.

Its purpose is straightforward – to revitalise the country’s 30 offshore islands that lack bridge connections to the mainland and become isolated daily by tidal waters.

“These islands are an integral part of the fabric of rural Ireland,” the government’s website explains. “Our ambition is to ensure that sustainable, vibrant communities can continue to live – and thrive – on the offshore islands for many years to come.”

These islands have experienced declining populations for generations. Government statistics reveal that under 3,000 people currently reside across the 23 inhabited islands eligible for the grant programme.

Several have only a small number of permanent inhabitants, raising genuine concerns about community viability. To address this issue, the government is providing grants worth up to €84,000 (approximately £75,000) for those prepared to buy and restore abandoned properties on these islands.

The funding is available through the Vacant Property Refurbishment Grant, which forms part of the Croí Cónaithe (Towns) Fund, and was extended in 2023 to cover offshore communities.

The scheme isn’t designed to simply distribute money to anyone considering relocation. Rather, the grants facilitate the restoration of vacant or derelict buildings into permanent residences or long-term rental accommodation – addressing housing shortages whilst preserving historic structures that might otherwise fall into ruin.

The precise sum available depends on the property’s condition. For vacant buildings, grants of up to €60,000 (roughly £50,000) can be claimed.

For derelict properties, the figure rises to €84,000 (roughly £75,000) to account for higher restoration expenses.

The money can cover everything from structural repairs (including roofing, insulation and foundation work) to interior decoration and modernisation. However, the property must become your principal home or a registered long-term rental.

Using the funds to renovate a holiday home or establish a short-term letting such as Airbnb is prohibited under the scheme’s terms. Applicants needn’t hold Irish citizenship – the scheme welcomes anyone meeting the eligibility requirements, which includes British nationals.

That said, standard immigration regulations remain in force, meaning those planning a permanent move may require the relevant visa or residency authorisation.

For a property to qualify, it must:

• Have been built before 2007
• Have been vacant for at least two years at the time of application
• Be located on one of the qualifying offshore islands that are cut off by the tide and not connected to the mainland by bridge or causeway

The roster of eligible islands spans Ireland’s dramatic western coastline, dotted throughout the North Atlantic. These locations offer untamed landscapes and rich cultural heritage – from Tory Island’s striking clifftops, the most isolated of all, to the peaceful Clare Island off County Mayo, or Inishbofin’s sandy coastline.

Film fans might recognise Inis Mór, one of the Aran Islands, as the filming location for The Banshees of Inisherin. Meanwhile, Dursey Island holds the distinction of being Ireland’s sole island accessible via cable car – an undeniably distinctive commute home.

This grant programme represents just one element within 80 initiatives outlined in the 2023-2026 action plan. Additional measures encompass deploying high-speed broadband through the National Broadband Plan, establishing digital hubs, and enhancing online healthcare provision.

With Ireland just a short flight or ferry journey from Britain, the prospect of moving to one of these isolated islands is beginning to capture UK interest. Comparable schemes in Italy and Spain have grabbed headlines in recent years – such as Ponga in northwest Spain, providing approximately £2,600 per person to move there, or southern Italian towns paying as much as €30,000 to draw in new inhabitants.

However, for Britons, Ireland holds the significant benefit of being nearby. Flights from principal UK airports to cities such as Dublin, Cork or Shannon are swift and reasonably priced, and from there, many of the islands can be reached by local ferries.

The cultural resemblances and absence of a language barrier are also attractive elements.

Applications for the Vacant Property Refurbishment Grant are currently open, with details accessible on the Irish government’s website gov.ie..

Local authorities handle the applications, and qualifying requirements can differ marginally depending on the island. Potential applicants are advised to investigate the island communities, visit if feasible, and evaluate renovation expenses thoroughly before making the commitment.