4,500 Irish Homes at Risk from Coastal Erosion by 2050, Report Warns

A new report by the Climate Change Advisory Council reveals that nearly 4,500 Irish homes are at risk from coastal erosion by 2050, a figure lead author Dr. Eugene Farrell of University of Galway believes is a significant undercount. A 2022 survey identified 2,279 properties and 570 km of roads currently at risk, projected to double to 4,446 properties by 2050. Farrell notes these numbers are based on only eight of 19 coastal counties and do not account for sea level rise or increased storm intensity.

Ireland lacks a binding national plan for coastal adaptation, unlike England, Scotland, and other European neighbors. Hard sea defenses, while politically popular, are expensive, environmentally damaging, and unsustainable. The report advocates for «planned relocation»—a state-supported process of moving people and infrastructure from at-risk areas—and recommends retiring the term «managed retreat.» This approach mirrors existing national plans and compensation schemes for river flooding, which have facilitated relocation projects in Galway and on the Shannon.

The report recommends mandatory natural hazard disclosure in property transactions, ensuring buyers are aware of erosion or flood risks. It also stresses that future coastal infrastructure must incorporate long-term change projections. Farrell highlights the absence of an EU-level legal framework for coastal erosion, unlike flooding, contributing to a lack of clear mandate and ad hoc interventions. He emphasizes that coastal erosion is a national issue requiring a coordinated response from multiple government departments and a shift in mindset.