The dark side of Ireland’s holiday home boom
‘Second homes’ and Airbnb rentals are putting houses in scenic areas beyond the reach of locals – accounting for up to 28pc of the housing stock in some ‘blackspots’, forcing people to move away and causing ‘terrible social consequences’. This ‘blight’ is killing rural communities, detractors say – and taxation could be the answer
This investigation into the concentration of holiday homes in rural areas was one of March's most-read features.
"We call it Saturday night fever down here"
Beyond the quaint façade of thousands of charming houses in picturesque towns and villages across the country lies a harsh reality – a surge in holiday home investments is leaving a trail of empty houses, serving as mere shells of what could be vibrant homes for local families.
