<abstract xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml">

<p>This article explores the first academic study on the housing crisis on Ireland’s offshore islands through a case study of the experiences and views of islanders on the West Cork islands. The paper covers the risk which the current housing crisis in Ireland represents for the ability of the West Cork islands, already susceptible to depopulation, to retain the next generation of existing inhabitants and attract newcomers. Through a participatory research project conducted between October 2021 and November 2022, the article reveals the challenges facing the West Cork islands in terms of housing affordability, availability and quality, and how these impact on the sustainability of island living. It also documents innovative policies and initiatives that islanders would like policymakers to implement to ensure the housing crisis is addressed and full-time populations on the islands are secured and sustained. The article concludes by reflecting on the recent <italic>National Islands Policy 2023–2033</italic> in light of the current study.</p>
</abstract>

This article explores the first academic study on the housing crisis on Ireland’s offshore islands through a case study of the experiences and views of islanders on the West Cork islands. The paper covers the risk which the current housing crisis in Ireland represents for the ability of the West Cork islands, already susceptible to depopulation, to retain the next generation of existing inhabitants and attract newcomers. Through a participatory research project conducted between October 2021 and November 2022, the article reveals the challenges facing the West Cork islands in terms of housing affordability, availability and quality, and how these impact on the sustainability of island living. It also documents innovative policies and initiatives that islanders would like policymakers to implement to ensure the housing crisis is addressed and full-time populations on the islands are secured and sustained. The article concludes by reflecting on the recent National Islands Policy 2023–2033 in light of the current study.

Housing and the West Cork islands: a national crisis in microcosm

Administration

This work is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 International License.

{"article-title":"Housing and the West Cork islands: a national crisis in microcosm"}

This article explores the first academic study on the housing crisis on Ireland’s offshore islands through a case study of the experiences and views of...

Housing and the West Cork islands: a national crisis in microcosm

Published Online: May 11, 2024

Page range: 29 - 52

DOI: https://doi.org/10.2478/admin-2024-0010

Keywords
housing crisis, West Cork islands, participatory research, perspectives of islanders, sustainability of island living, National Islands Policy

© 2024 Elaine Desmond et al., published by Sciendo

This work is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 International License.

Housing and the West Cork islands: a national crisis in microcosm

Published Online: May 11, 2024

Page range: 29 - 52

DOI: https://doi.org/10.2478/admin-2024-0010

Keywordshousing crisis, West Cork islands, participatory research, perspectives of islanders, sustainability of island living, National Islands Policy

© 2024 Elaine Desmond et al., published by Sciendo

This work is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 International License.

Keywords
housing crisis, West Cork islands, participatory research, perspectives of islanders, sustainability of island living, National Islands Policy