A Navan family who won a competition to live rent-free for a year on Inis Meáin in Co. Galway, have now decided to remain on and live there permanently.

The Mac an tSaoir’s were picked from over 1,600 applicants to partake in the once-in-a-lifetime opportunity by community organisation Comhlacht Forbartha.

Colette and Rónan Mac an tSaoir and their five children, including two-year-old twins, now plan to stay on Inishmaan, the middle of the three main Aran Islands off the coast of Galway

The family appeared on RTE News,informing viewers , that they have never been happier and that being picked to live there was like winning the lotto.

The competition was launched by Comhlacht Forbartha Inis Meáin with the aim of bringing families with school-age children to the island to add to the local community which has a population of just over 200 people.