Not simply for moving. Ireland’s “Our Living Islands” policy offers higher refurbishment-grant ceilings for certain vacant or derelict island homes, with a maximum of €60,000 for a qualifying vacant property and up to €84,000 for a qualifying derelict one. The money is tied to renovating a home for long-term residential use—not a guaranteed relocation payment. The headline’s “$80K” is a rough conversion of the €84,000 ceiling, not a fixed dollar award.
What Ireland’s island grant actually offers
The grant is part of Ireland’s Vacant Property Refurbishment Grant, with higher maximums announced for qualifying properties on covered offshore islands. The Department of Rural and Community Development and the Gaeltacht announced the island and mainland ceilings in June 2023:
| Property category | Island maximum | Mainland maximum |
|---|---|---|
| Vacant property | Up to €60,000 | Up to €50,000 |
| Derelict property | Up to €84,000 | Up to €70,000 |
These are maximum grant levels, not guaranteed awards. The €84,000 ceiling is the figure behind the roughly $80,000 headline; the official amount is in euros, and any dollar equivalent changes with the exchange rate. The grant does not automatically cover a property’s purchase price or all renovation costs. See the Department’s 7 June 2023 announcement for the published comparison.
Who and what the policy covers
Covered islands
Ireland’s ten-year Our Living Islands policy was published in June 2023. It covers offshore islands that are cut off daily by the tide, have no bridge or causeway to the mainland, have permanent year-round populations, and are not in private ownership. The Department describes around 30 islands as meeting that definition. The policy’s 2023–2026 Action Plan contains 80 time-bound actions and five strategic objectives: revitalising island populations, diversifying economies, improving health and wellbeing services, empowering communities, and building sustainable futures. The official Our Living Islands page sets out the policy and scope.
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Eligible homes and intended use
The stated purpose of the refurbishment support is to bring existing properties into long-term residential use. It is not described as an immigration program or as a cash payment to anyone who relocates. The exact occupancy period, proof required, qualifying works, and current application terms should be confirmed in the latest official grant guidance before buying or committing to renovations.
Is this a relocation payment, holiday-home grant, or residency route?
- Relocation payment: No. The announced figures are property refurbishment-grant ceilings, not a payment for moving to an island.
- Holiday home or short-term rental: The policy states that the support is intended to encourage long-term residential accommodation. The official sources cited here do not establish whether a particular holiday-home or rental arrangement qualifies; check the current grant conditions rather than assuming it does.
- Residency or immigration: The grant is not presented as a route to Irish residency. The sources cited here do not establish which immigration statuses allow a non-Irish applicant to buy a property or apply for the grant. Anyone considering a move from abroad should check current Irish immigration guidance separately.
How the grant relates to CLÁR 2026
There is also an Our Living Islands measure in the 2026 CLÁR community-funding program, but it is separate from the individual home refurbishment grant. Under the Department’s 2026 CLÁR announcement, eligible community projects may receive up to €65,000 for facilities or up to €100,000 for vehicles. Those figures fund community projects; they are not payments to individuals moving house.
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What to verify before making a financial decision
- Use the current official grant guidance to confirm whether the specific property, proposed works, applicant, and intended occupancy meet the rules.
- Get a property survey and a realistic renovation estimate before relying on a grant ceiling. The maximum award is not a promise that the grant will cover the project.
- If you are moving from outside Ireland, check immigration and residency requirements through official Irish guidance; property-grant information does not answer those questions.
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