A FAMILY chosen to live on the remote island of Inis Meáin rent-free for an entire year have now made a huge decision.
The Mac an tSaoir family from Navan, Co Meath, who were picked from over 1,600 applications to partake in the once-in-a-lifetime opportunity, have now chosen to move to the island permanently.
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They said they felt as if they had “won the Lotto” when they received the news and, since moving, have been happier than ever.
Inis Meáin is the middle of the three Aran Islands in Galway Bay and has a population of just over 200.
Colette Mac an tSaoir told RTE News: “We chant with the twins’ bhuaigh muid an Lotto’ and they say it back now.
“There’s nothing like it. Nothing else comes close.”
Rónan agreed, adding: “Ní rud é gur féidir leat a cheannach le hairgead” – it’s not something you can buy with money.
Since moving to the island, the family have embraced immersing themselves in the Irish language and culture.
They also say the small class sizes for their five children, Róisín, 8, Darach, 6, Beinín, 4 and twins Tomás and Siún, aged 2, have been fantastic.
Colette said: “The process of how it came about, it’s actually mind-blowing.
“It happened gradually, you know, from just starting with cúpla focal with the kids and trying to stay a page ahead of them.
“I never dreamed we would be living in the heart of a vibrant Gaeltacht.”
The family have now made the island their home, with Rónan’s job as a software engineer allowing him to work remotely and Colette hoping to apply for a teaching job in the island’s preschool.
They have thrown themselves into the community and are now fluent speakers, with Rónan even coaching the primary school hurling teams.
He said: “It’s a fabulous place to live because everybody’s contributing to the community, and everybody wants to take part.
“We have all our needs met here.
“There’s even online shopping arriving on the ferry every morning but we also have the wonderful Siopa Ruaidhrí Beag and post office, which caters for our needs really well.”
They said life is much calmer than it was in Navan.
The family now enjoy being away from the busyness of Dublin.
They hope to continue raising their children on the island and immerse themselves even further within the community.
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