Catherine Conlon: Why are there so many empty houses in a housing crisis?

Since the introduction of the Buy and Renew scheme in 2017, just 700 homes have been bought and used for social housing

Frank O Connor and Jude Sherry have been shining a light on levels of dereliction through social media, posting pictures of empty buildings around the country. Picture Dan Linehan

Caherciveen, once regarded as the capital of south Kerry, was a bustling market town with a cathedral, over 50 pubs, butchers, bakeries, barbers, and boutiques – many of which bear the evidence of their former existence as thriving hubs of activity in the centre of the town. 

This is a town within a stone’s throw of Waterville, Portmagee, Valentia, and Ballinskelligs – a haven of golf, fishing, sandy beaches, mountain walks, ditches full of wildflowers, star-filled silent nights, the wild Atlantic way, surfing, sailing, fresh seafood, and island life – all immersed in the authentic flavour of a Gaeltacht area.