A COUPLE who gave up their city lifestyle to get paid to live on a remote Irish island with no running water or electricity says they’re “excited” with the new move.
James Hays, 37, originally from Tralee, Co Kerry, and Camille Rosenfeld, 26, from Minnesota in the US, are set to take up the role for a six months.
James Hays and Camille Rosenfeld are set to move to the remote Great Blasket Island[/caption]
They married in Boston in June 2024 and moved back to Ireland last year[/caption]
Great Blasket Island was inhabited until 1954 when living there became unsustainable[/caption]
The newly married couple are off for a honeymoon with a new adventure.
They are set to move to the remote Great Blasket Island, off the west coast of Ireland, from April 1 to the end of September.
Great Blasket Island lies about two kilometres from the mainland and was inhabited until 1954 when living there became unsustainable.
Nowadays, tourists can hop on a ferry from the Irish mainland to take in the picturesque scenery.
The pair met on the Burren, a wild landscape in Co Clare in 2021 and will be the caretakers of the Great Blasket Island for a six-month period.
They married in Boston in June 2024 and moved back to Ireland last year.
‘VERY NICE SPOT’
Speaking to RTÉ Radio 1, James said: “I’m an artist from Tralee. I’m actually a landscape painter. So it’s kind of a very nice spot for me to be on sabbatical.
“We’re both kind of fairly hardy outdoorsy people and we’re sort of, you know, there isn’t bad weather just, you know, the wrong clothes.”
There is no electricity in the Great Blasket Island with the only light coming from candles or stoves.
And there is only fresh running cold water which comes from a spring situated above some of the cottages on the island.
James added: “There is a small turbine [which] I think that will provide enough electricity to charge our phones to keep in contact with the mainland.
“But, otherwise, it’s pretty basic. No hot showers and no light switches or anything like that.”
‘LUCKY & HAPPY’
Camille told RTE Radio 1 of her excitement about moving to the remote island, adding: “It just seems like an amazing opportunity and we’re so lucky and happy to be picked.”
She said: “It’s something that’s been on [James] radar for a while, and it’s just right up our alley. We love being outside, especially in Ireland. It’s so gorgeous here.”
There are three cottages on the island which the couple will be looking after for the tourists who are visiting.
And they will also be running a cafe as part of their main duties while living on the island.
James added: “We met at the Barn College of Art in Bali. Camille was doing a study abroad programme in Ireland, like as part of her degree in art business.
“I was a resident artist there at the time and just for a month. And between the pair of us, we managed to keep extending our stay.
“And three years later now we’re happily married since June. It’s worked out pretty much.”
Nowadays, tourists can hop on a ferry from the Irish mainland to take in the picturesque scenery[/caption]
