Galway study warns coastal communities need relocation strategy

The country needs to start planning now for the relocation of coastal families whose homes are under greater threat than ever from coastal erosion.

Published 16th Jun 2026, 19:40 BST Iconic The country needs to start planning now for the relocation of coastal families whose homes are under greater threat than ever from coastal erosion. Sign up to our Connacht Tribune Today daily newsletter Sign up Thank you for signing up! Did you know you can manage your profile, and explore all of the available newsletters from Connacht Tribune within your account.

That’s the recommendation of a new study carried out by researchers at the University of Galway, which says that communities at risk of coastal erosion need to see an urgent planned relocation strategy established at national level.

The study argues that moving people and infrastructure from vulnerable coastlines should be treated as an essential response to coastal erosion rather than a measure of last resort.

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"Planned relocation is often framed as a 'last resort,' but it should be viewed as a valid strategic shift when defending homes or roads becomes unsustainable,” said Dr Eugene Farrell, Associate Professor at University of Galway and lead author of this report.

The working paper highlights that the scale of the threat from coastal erosion is immense, highlighting a survey of eight local authorities which identified 2,279 properties and 570km of roads at risk.

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These numbers are projected to jump to 4,446 properties by the year 2050 - and that’s a figure which will also rise substantially once all local authorities covering 19 coastal counties report their data.

Galway city and county with its substantial Atlantic coastline is one of those areas of the country that is facing a significant threat.

Dr Eugene Farrell says planning for relocation must start now before homes and infrastructure are placed at risk and that coastal management must prioritise a “proactive managed retreat strategy”.

Implementing planned relocation from eroding coastlines is not optional – it is an essential responsibility of present governance.

“By planning for the strategic movement of people and infrastructure early, we can reduce exposure to extreme events, lower long-term costs and build community resilience.”

The report highlights that relocation should be viewed through a human rights lens and treated as a public health and social justice priority.

In particular, the study says rural homeowners in vulnerable areas cannot simply be left to “be washed away”.

Researchers say relocation planning should be carried out in partnership with affected communities and backed by fair compensation.

The science has been clear for decades, and the warnings were widely available. What is required now is decisive remedial and adaptive action.

Without such supports, the report warns that existing inequalities could worsen and residents may face significant mental health impacts.

The study says reliance on emergency funding is unpredictable. A long-term relocation strategy, however, would allow Government to plan ahead and allocate public funds more efficiently.

It also calls for mandatory disclosure of coastal erosion risks during property sales, similar to a scheme already in place in California and currently being progressed in England.

Under such a system, prospective buyers would be formally notified if a property falls within a projected erosion or flood-risk zone.

The working paper, Managing Coastal Risks in Ireland: Towards Strategies that Integrate Planned Coastal Relocations, outlines a series of actions for Government to consider in response to growing coastal erosion risks.

Published by the Climate Change Advisory Council, the research warns that Ireland lacks a clear strategy for supporting affected communities.

Governments and communities cannot continue to frame today’s coastal erosion crisis as an unforeseeable outcome.

It highlights that the Government must create a masterplan showing how coastal communities will move to safety to protect current and future generations.

"The core issue is accountability and action,” said Dr Farrell.

“The science has been clear for decades, and the warnings were widely available. What is required now is decisive remedial and adaptive action.”

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