Leaders on of one of Ireland's remotest islands have told how they've been "overwhelmed" with interest from US citizens who are keen to relocate there in the event of Donald Trump becoming the next US President.
Inishturk, off Co. Mayo, has seen its once thriving population plummet to just 58 in recent years. There are only three pupils attending the local primary school.
The idyllic isle's community leaders have been actively trying to entice families to move there to breathe new life into the Atlantic outpost and help secure its future.
Read more: A guide on moving to Ireland if Donald Trump is elected
But it looks like the tranquil island, located nine miles off the coast, could now be set for a much-needed population boost if the billionaire Republican front-runner becomes president.
Administrators on the island said they've been "swamped" with inquiries from US citizens who are considering relocating there in the event of Trump winning the next election.
Joe Whelan, a ferryman and shop worker who also helps run the island's Facebook page and official website, said: "We've been swamped with hundreds and hundreds of messages ever since the story was published in IrishCentral.
"It's been impossible to answer every message, so we've put together a list of answers to 'frequently asked questions' on things like accommodation, employment and visas. About 300 subscribers have now signed up to that list."
Whelan said he hopes that once the media frenzy has died down, a number of families would still seriously consider making the move to the island.
He also said he hoped the publicity would help generate a bumper tourism summer season for Inishturk this year.
Read more: Remote Irish island seeks Americans fleeing Donald Trump presidency
He added that one local B&B owner has already hosted an American visitor in recent days who was "keen to find out what all the fuss was about."
Mary Heanue, who has just retired from her job as the island's development officer, emphasized that any genuine families from anywhere in the world should consider relocating to Inishturk.
She said: "The story certainly put us on the map, but obviously we don't have accommodation for the hundreds of people that have made contact. It would be great, though, if a few families moved over. It's a wonderful place to live and to raise children in."
IrishCentral's recent article on Inishturk has become the site's most popular story of the year, generating over 255,000 'likes' on Facebook, and being followed up by a dozen other publications.
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