Tomorrow is the closing date for people to apply to live rent-free on Inis Meáin for nine months.
The initiative, announced in mid-July by the community development organisation Comhlacht Forbartha Inis Meáin, has had more than 1,300 applications.
The group plans to shortlist a number of families for interview before picking one they feel will integrate well within the community.
Chairwoman of Comhlacht Forbartha Inis Meáin Mairéad Ní Fhátharta said the initiative is primarily aimed at increasing the number of children attending schools on the island, as the family will stay for the academic year from this September to June of next year.
Speaking on RTÉ's Morning Ireland, she said: "There is no immediate campaign or panic regarding allocation, but I suppose the idea is to provide healthy school environments and to keep numbers healthy in our schools."
Ms Ní Fhátharta said there has been a huge amount of interest from potential applicants.
She said: "We're absolutely humbled by the response, or perhaps it was my naivety, but we didn't anticipate the volume at all.
"A last count on Sunday, over 1,300 applications had come. It generates such hope, I guess, for remote areas. The majority are from ordinary people, ordinary families in Ireland that just want a change.
"I think the big thing here is that it's temporary. It's a family adventure. It's you know, lifelong memories. It's a brave thing to do."
Ms Ní Fhátharta said it will be difficult to choose the family that will get to stay.
Factors such as Irish language speaking, which will make the transition easier, as well as the possibility of longevity, the likelihood of the family staying on after the nine months, will help them decide.
She said there are employment opportunities for anyone that does decide to stay long-term on the island with the recent opening of a remote digital hub, which allows people to work remotely.
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