In the current housing market, some Irish people have tried to think outside the box and live inside a boat.  

Áine Libreri has lived in a forty-foot houseboat since 2018 that she describes as “a simple way of living”.  

“It’s very basic,” she told Moncrieff. “When you're living on a boat in Ireland, you're mostly living off grid – you're working with solar power and bottled water. 

With her dogs, Ms Libreri relies on basic solar energy to power her home – but many boathouses go bigger.  

“You can go up to a 60-foot boat... 65 foot is the length of a lough on the Royal Canal,” she said. “There are some boats with five or six solar panels that could probably operate a small hotel.” 

Áine Libreri atop her houseboat along the dock.

Ms Libreri currently resides at Castleknock, creating some challenges for her water supply. 

“There’s no water tap... so that would be one thing that’s a bit of a struggle, trying to get water in the boat,” she said.  

“We are hoping to change that soon, but for the time being, it can be challenging. 

“You can visit your friends with water bottles, some people have water tanks in their car, but personally I don’t drive. 

“There’s always a way around if you’re willing to look for one.” 

Laundry can also be an issue when living on a boat, Ms Libreri explained, typically needing to find a laundrette.  

“You have to get creative when you're living on a boat, so it does make you appreciate things that you probably didn't appreciate before,” she said. “Like hot water and fresh laundry.” 

A view of Croke Park from Áine Libreri's boat on the canal

Most boat dwellers own their boats, according to Ms Libreri, as the rental market is not as strong as places like Amsterdam or the UK.  

“It's not a popular choice at the moment and it's definitely not for the faint hearted,” she said.  

Despite the challenges of living on a boat, Ms Libreri is grateful for the security she has living on water. 

“Especially in the current state of the housing market, it’s a peace of mind,” she said. “It might be small and difficult to live in but it’s yours. 

“You can even live a normal life if you have the right setup.”