The People’s Transition: Uíbh Ráthach Gaeltacht
The People’s Transition in the Uíbh Ráthach Gaeltacht began in February 2024. The intention of the project was to listen to and learn from the community’s needs and abilities and then design climate solutions that would benefit the community while addressing key local development priorities. The project had three phases: a mapping phase, a community engagement phase, and a solutions phase. Through research, stakeholder engagement, and participatory arts residencies developed in partnership with Cumas Ceantar Uíbh Ráthach, the project identified the rural housing crisis as a central challenge facing the Gaeltacht.
The report outlines three strategic pathways to support a just transition, including a community-led housing pilot, enabling policy measures for affordable housing, and the development of a community-led just transition housing network. Together, these pathways present a vision for climate action that strengthens housing, sustains language and culture, supports local livelihoods, and builds long-term community resilience.
The People’s Transition: Uíbh Ráthach Gaeltacht was developed in partnership with Cumas Ceantar Uíbh Ráthach, Údarás na Gaeltachta, Iveragh Task Force, with the support of AIB.
Project phases
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The mapping phase aimed to build a picture of the Uíbh Ráthach Gaeltacht, outlining a geographical scope for the project that reflects the people and communities living there. This phase focused on understanding the area’s demographic, social, economic, and cultural context, as well as the distribution of key institutions, services, and community organisations that play an important role in local life. Through analysis of existing research, local development plans, and preliminary stakeholder engagement, the project identified major challenges and opportunities in the area, with the shortage of accessible and affordable long-term housing emerging as a key priority.
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The community engagement phase built on the initial mapping process and was developed in partnership with Cumas Ceantar Uíbh Ráthach. During this stage, TASC engaged with local residents, community groups, development workers, students, and other stakeholders to better understand lived experiences, priorities, and aspirations for the future. A key part of this phase was the TOCHAIL socially engaged arts residencies, which brought artists and community members together to explore the housing crisis through the lens of climate justice. Using workshops, conversations, and creative methods, the engagement process created space for inclusive participation and helped surface community-led ideas for a fairer and more sustainable future.
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Building on the mapping and community engagement phases, TASC worked with local experts and community members to co-create practical climate solutions that respond to local needs and build on existing strengths. Through collective reflection and deliberation, three strategic pathways were identified: integrating just transition principles into a community-led housing pilot, creating a supportive policy environment for affordable housing, and developing a community-led housing network across the Gaeltacht. These pathways present a shared vision for climate action that strengthens housing, supports language and culture, promotes local livelihoods, and builds long-term resilience.
Co-Creation of Solutions
Susan Leen. Illustration of the social fibre of an ideal community. January 2025.
Community-led Housing Pilot
The first co-created solution focuses on developing a community-led housing pilot that embeds just transition principles. This includes affordable homes, shared community spaces, sustainable energy systems, local materials, and opportunities for skills development, ensuring housing supports both people and the planet.
Supportive Policy Environment
The second solution highlights the need for policies that support affordable, long-term housing in the Gaeltacht. This includes enabling community-led housing, addressing vacancy and short-term rentals, and creating greater flexibility for rural housing development.
Community-led Housing Network
The third solution proposes a community-led housing network across the Gaeltacht to support collaboration, knowledge sharing, and collective action. The network would strengthen local capacity and help advocate for housing policies that support climate-smart rural development.
“It was an absolute pleasure to work with Róisín, and latterly Kieran, of TASC on the People’s Transition process for Gaeltacht Uíbh Ráthaigh. The approach taken to the work was inclusive, well-scoped, developed and thorough, building upon existing community-based foundations in terms of initiatives and research previously conducted in the area. Importantly, the follow-through commitment and support of the team for this community in their efforts to progress the identified projects has been excellent. This was an experience where true teamwork was seen in practical action.”
Caitlín Breathnach, Údarás na Gaeltachta
Susan Leen. Sketchbook drawing of An Dromaid. January 2025.