The impact of short-term lets on the housing emergency in the Conamara Gaeltacht – and the implications for the survival of the Irish language – was brought into sharp focus last week with confirmation that holiday homes have fuelled a shortage of long-term rental accommodation.

An investigation by TG4 current affairs series Iniúchadh revealed an increase in the number of short-term lets and the proliferation of holiday homes has led to a shortage of long-term rental accommodation in the Gaeltacht, which is forcing locals to seek accommodation elsewhere.

The programme ‘Níl Aon Tinteán’ presented by investigative journalist Kevin Magee, highlighted that more than 1,000 houses were listed on Airbnb for short term let in Ireland’s Gaeltacht regions this summer, but less than ten houses were available for long-term rental.

The Conamara Gaeltacht had 221 Airbnbs available during one random week in August and only four houses available for long-term rent on Daft.ie. This was replicated in the Donegal and Kerry Gaeltachts.

Indreabhán-based language activist and commentator Donncha Ó hÉallaithe, said Gaeltacht residents were being forced out of the local housing market because of the demand from outsiders for second homes that often double as Airbnbs.

Caption: TG4 reporter Kevin Magee.

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