Become a Member
We offer three stages of membership, each building on the last. This allows you to move forward at a time and pace of your own choosing.
Is this for me?
Living in cohousing communities for people aged 50+ offers a blend of independence and social connection that enhances quality of life. The most commonly cited benefits among people living in such communities include:
It can be fun, sociable: There is always something to do when you are looking for company. Typically communities cook and eat together on a regular basis, but no pressure to join. They form film and book clubs, art and language classes, have cycling groups. The community share opportunities for things to do - a hill walk the next weekend, going to a film, bridge, cooking class.
Good Neighbours: Neighbours form close-knit networks that reduce loneliness and foster a sense of belonging. Need your plants watered while you are away, your cat fed, a pick up after a hospital procedure - that’s what good neighbours do.
Shared resources: There are plenty of opportunities for reducing our carbon footprint and lowering living costs by sharing expensive equipment.
Ageing in place: Communities are designed for accessibility and mutual assistance, helping people to stay independent for longer.
Safe and secure: Residents look out for one another, creating a safe and supportive environment.
Registering is your first step on the cohousing journey. As a registered member, you'll be kept fully in the loop — with the latest developments, updates from local communities, and invitations to webinars, all delivered through our quarterly newsletter and mailings.
To register, simply click on the link below and complete the short profile form. There is a one-off registration fee of €25. As a not-for-profit organisation, membership fees are our sole source of income and help us cover our basic operational and communication costs.
Once you've registered, you'll receive a Welcome Letter by email (do check your spam folder if it doesn't arrive).
Ready to go to the next stage? The letter includes a link to join one of our three local groups — see details below.
Become a Registered Member
Become a Local Group Member
We currently support three Local Groups: Dublin 6-8, Cork and Westport.
If you're interested in living in a cohousing community in one of these locations, joining a Local Group is your next step.
As a Local Group member, you'll receive regular updates on progress in your area, get to know other interested members, and begin to enjoy that early sense of belonging — the very essence of cohousing.
To join a local group, you must first be a Registered Member (see Step 1 above). When you receive your Welcome Letter, click on the link for joining a local group. If you have any problems, contact us at hello@cohousingcommunities.ie.
Start your own local group
Keen to get a group going in your own area? Here's how it works:
Forming a group: Once there are enough registered members in an area and a volunteer Convenor comes forward, we can begin.
Two webinars: An introductory webinar offers detailed information to help people decide if cohousing is for them, followed by a second, more focused session addressing queries and concerns.
In-person half-day meeting: For those ready to commit time and energy, we facilitate a meeting where the group shapes its vision and appoints an organising committee and chair.
Next steps: We then guide the group on progressing the project — from agreeing a shared vision and site criteria to deciding on shared amenities.
Committed Buyer Member
There comes a point at which the members of the Local Group have sufficient certainty about making it happen. Others may decide it is not for them or are not ready to commit yet.
At that stage, those who want to make the community happen, form a Committed Buyers Group. They are now the decision makers for the future design and development of their community - everything from finding a suitable site, signing off on the design of the development and making key decisions regarding the number of housing units, shared facilities and much else.
Committed Buyers Group Members pay an initial €1k towards early costs such as professional fees, feasibility study and planning consultations. This payment ensures that they have an early choice of accommodation as it becomes available.
Or just keep in touch for now
Follow us on Eventbrite to hear about a public meeting near you
Follow us on Instagram@cohousingireland where we post about public meetings as well as news and developments about cohousing and our local cohousing groups
