Mayo woman leads plans for Ireland's first cohousing community

A MAYO woman is leading plans to create Ireland’s first cohousing community in Westport town.

Fiona Hoban says there is growing interest in the west of Ireland from those aged 50 plus in having a housing option that will allow them to live independent lives, have their own front door and be part of a highly social community that looks out for each other.

First developed in Denmark in the 1960s, cohousing communities are now well-established in the UK, USA, Canada and the Netherlands, but with no presence yet in Ireland. It offers an option for healthy, active people in midlife or beyond who are seeking manageable, future-proof homes.

Cohousing Communities Ireland is a new not-for-profit organisation with more than 250 members which is working to support cohousing community developments across the country.

Fiona (54) has been living in Kilmeena, Westport, for over 20 years and says she is keenly aware of the importance of being socially connected and close to amenities and services as we grow older.

Said Fiona: “Every year, around 70,000 people in Ireland turn 50, joining 1.76 million others already over that age. This figure is set to reach 2 million by 2030. Yet many in this age group are living in homes that are too large, costly to maintain, or no longer suitable for their changing needs.”

She said research shows that one in four people over 65 live alone, and nine in ten occupy housing that’s larger than they require.

“Westport is a vibrant, buzzing town, which has all the facilities and services and would be an ideal location for a cohousing development. I am really excited about the prospect of being part of a cohousing community.

“This is about creating a supportive, neighbourly community where people live independently but not in isolation. Cohousing offers freedom, connection, and peace of mind, all in a sustainable and future-focused way.”

Said Fiona: “Building such a community takes time which is why I’m being pro-active now, because I believe people often plan for their middle and later years when it’s too late.”

Cohousing residents design and manage their community together with each household having its own private home and front door, alongside shared facilities such as gardens, guest rooms, laundry spaces, or social lounges.

Co-founder of Cohousing Communities Ireland, Anne Connolly, has been supporting emerging groups in Dublin and Cork and is now helping Fiona and local residents explore the potential for a Mayo-based project.

“Cohousing can become a vital new pillar of Ireland’s housing landscape,” says Connolly. “It’s a model that supports people to live well, stay active, and remain connected all while contributing positively to local communities.”

She said there are issues which are hindering the development of cohousing communities including huge non-refundable planning application costs and the the lack of specifically zoned land for cohousing.

“State bodies have large land holdings and should prioritise sale to community lead housing for people 55 plus. Similarly, local authorities could have a significant impact on providing age-appropriate housing and releasing larger family homes onto the market, if they fast-tracked community led housing for people 50 plus in Local Area Plans, especially on institutional lands near town centres,” Ms. Connolly added.

She said the Central Bank also needs to change its rules to allow flexible, bridging finance secured against higher value, unencumbered current homes - and the state needs to support a revolving loan facility, modelled on successful schemes in other countries.

Cohousing Ireland will host an online information session on Tuesday, December 2, at 7 p.m., open to anyone curious about this new way of living. To register, email hello@cohousingireland.ie.

An in-person follow-up meeting in Westport is planned for January 2026, where interested individuals can meet, exchange ideas, and begin shaping a vision for a local cohousing community.