Selfbuild Summer 2024 Preview

and get a FREE boiler & 2 year fixed price.*

and get a FREE boiler & 2 year fixed price.*

Keep your eye on the ball and make the smart move from oil to LPG, just like Rory Best.

Keep your eye on the ball and make the smart move from oil to LPG, just like Rory Best.

Flogas supplies energy for everyone –efficient heat, hot water, controllable gas cooking and more. So your home will stay nice and warm.

Flogas supplies energy for everyone –efficient heat, hot water, controllable gas cooking and more. So your home will stay nice and warm.

Invest in Internorm Windows

Don’t miss our Spring offer*

Contemporary Triple Glazing Solutions

Europe’s leading, award-winning window brand for over 90 years. Innovative, high-performance architectural window and door systems for self-build, renovation and Passivhaus projects. Exceptional thermal performance, outstanding noise reduction and enhanced security.

For further information, please visit uk.internorm.com.

*Available from 8 April – 21 June. T&Cs apply.

Nothing compares to

SUBSCRIBER Subscriber benefits...

As a Selfbuild+ subscriber, you’ve got full access to selfbuild.ie, including news, advice, podcasts, videos and much more. Here are some highlights of the past quarter and what you might have missed on the platform.

Online events

Listen back on the ventilation and kitchen talks we just had.

Upcoming events: Build Cost Clinic and Bathroom Design.

Build cost hub update

Check out the new Build Cost Hub with the latest costings at your fingertips.

“As labour costs continue to rise, there’s no sign material costs can cushion the blow.”

Welcome to Selfbuild magazine – one of the many benefits of your subscription to Selfbuild+.

Our next show, Selfbuild Extend & Renovate Live Dublin, is on the 18th and 19th of May 2024, 10am to 6pm at Leopardstown Racecourse Dublin. I’ll be there hosting the Selfbuild+ Advice Theatre for fireside chats on each of the days; come say hello!

You can get your free tickets with the QR code on page 83.

In exciting news, supports for self-builders were extended in ROI – a big relief for anyone who’s starting their build now.

This means that development contributions (see pages 15 and 94), or the infrastructure fees local authorities in ROI charge for building a house, are being waived for another year. This will save thousands on your build.

And the Help to Buy scheme, which subsidises your mortgage deposit through a tax break to the tune of €4k, is also set to be extended for five years. This is open to first time self-builders.

Of course all this good news is tempered by the overall picture of building costs. As labour costs continue to rise, there’s no sign that material costs can cushion the blow (see p13).

Still, for those who are in the lucky position to be able to build a house, it’s not an opportunity to be missed. New builds command a premium in the resale market (see p11) and there really is no other way to get the home of your dreams than to build it yourself.

Remember that the cost of building the actual house, the structural elements, is only a fraction of the overall picture. To keep a lid on the budget for that element, and also to make your home more energy efficient, make sure to limit the amount of glazing to what’s needed. There’s no point in creating a greenhouse, even in Ireland (see p82).

Cost busters are in fact most often related to the non structural elements, like kitchens and bathrooms, floor and wall coverings, furnishings, landscaping. And many of these can wait until funds allow –it’s not ideal to move into an unfurnished house but it could be better than compromising on finishes.

And so in this issue we’re focusing on all of these elements,

The Pre Design stage of your Journey is where you will make key decisions that will have a big impact on how your house will be built, and on the final outcome.

If you have a question, want to share some insights, or simply let us know how you’re getting on with your project, we’d love to hear from you for our Letters page. Email us at letters@selfbuild.ie

Contents

Projects

24 The self-made house  Edel and Michael McDonough share how they went about their direct labour self-build to create a magical new build in Co Laois.

34 Triumph over turmoil

From a dream auction find to a self-build saga, this is the story of how Anita and Mark Jones overcame unexpected hurdles to build their family home in Co Antrim.

44 The sanctuary

How Craig Dee and Matthew O’Rourke of Co Waterford turned a damp, mud built cottage into a haven of calm in the woods, full of natural light, vistas and cleverly connected spaces.

62 A mighty transformation

By adding just 20sqm to their ground floor area, Stephen Arthur and Paula Robinson completely transformed their family home in Co Antrim.

70 Country style garden on a sloping site

With a large, challenging site and a set of adorable triplets bursting with energy, this rural garden in Co Galway needed some careful design to allow the family to fully enjoy their new property.

News

09 News

Get up to date with the latest in home building and home improving, in both NI and ROI.

76 How much does polished concrete cost?

Quantity surveyor Keith Kelliher reviews a quote for polished concrete in ROI, explaining what you can expect to pay and what the cost factors are.

78 Utility room inspiration

Your quick guide to the hidden potential of the most abused room in the house.

80 How to hire the right builder Project manager Andrew Stanway gives some pointers to help you pick out the best builder for the job.

82 Passive House Clinic

All articles equally cover the 32 counties; when we refer to the Republic of Ireland the abbreviation is ROI. For Northern Ireland it’s NI.

54 A cottage reimagined Braving challenges of dampness and multiple extensions, Mert and Deborah Thompson’s quest for a unique dwelling led to a reinvented space in Co Armagh.

Advice

74 Letters

This issue we look at insurance, grants, cash flow and more.

Barry McCarron and Seán McKenna report back from Selfbuild Extend & Renovate Live Limerick to share what advice they gave self-builders, and what they learned over the two days.

84 Budget busters

Structural engineer and architectural designer Les Triumph

O’Donnell gives us the main reasons projects go pearshaped. Spoiler alert: it mostly has to do with the clients.

Selfbuild Journey

Heather Campbell

Myles McCann myles.mccann@selfbuild.ie

Shannon Quinn shannon.quinn@selfbuild.ie

Shaunie McLaughlin shaunie.mclaughlin@selfbuild.ie

MARKETING

Calum Lennon

calum.lennon@selfbuild.ie

Victoria Hunter

94 Local authority fees

102 Part philosopher, part engineer

88 Overview

An introduction to Stage 2 of your Selfbuild Journey: Pre Design.

90 Where an architect saves you money

Architect Edel Regan spells out the benefits of hiring a professional.

To build in Ireland, you need to pay the government for the privilege. Find out what fees you need to pay your local authority.

96 Building methods comparison

Architect Micah Jones compares the most common building methods used in

Construction industry veteran Louis Gunnigan’s dream build gets underway in Co Dublin.

108 The beaten track

Self-build advisor Gavin Connolly shares how he went about deciding how to build his home in Co Down.

114 Who’s who Mortgage brokers.

62

70

LIQUID SCREED FLOWPLUS CEMENT LIQUID SCREED

Roadstone FlowPlus is the next generation self-levelling cementitious screed developed in conjunction with the ARDEX Group.

Roadstone FlowPlus is the next generation self-levelling cementitious screed developed in conjunction with the ARDEX Group.

• Provides a quick, smooth and level surface with minimal leveling

• Ease and speed of installation

• Provides a quick, smooth and level surface with minimal leveling

• Suitable for all domestic and commercial applications

• Ease and speed of installation

• Suitable for all domestic and commercial applications

Tipp man told to demolish log home

The Co Tipperary man who was ordered to demolish his mobile home clad in timber, will now be given ‘social housing supports’.

A65-year-old man who was refused planning permission for his ‘log cabin’ home will now be offered social housing supports, Tipperary County Council tells Selfbuild.

Sean Meehan applied for planning permission in 2023 for the retention of his mobile home that he clad in timber, on land he bought in his local area after divorce proceedings. Tipperary County Council turned down both of his planning applications.

The council has been in contact with Sean about the “unauthorised dwelling” since early 2020.

The applications to obtain planning permission to keep his home on his site were assessed according to the Tipperary County Development Plan 2022-2028 and planning legislation.

“The Council had no option but to issue refusals in both instances,” the council told Selfbuild, adding that the applicant could have appealed his case to An Bord Pleanala.

“As the unauthorised dwelling was not removed, there was a continuation of a breach of planning law.” The council added “it was necessary” for the planning authority to address the breach in the context of

planning law “which resulted ultimately in a court application”.

The courts instructed him to demolish his home.

Sean Meehan told Newstalk Breakfast he would rather go to jail than take the structure down.

Sean’s neighbour Keith O Brien started a petition on change.org. “He built a log cabin on his own land and now he’s being threatened with jail time,” reads the petition. “This is not just about Sean; it’s about the rights of property owners everywhere.”

“[He] is being punished for simply trying to provide himself with shelter and asking for no handouts along the way.”

“We believe that shelter is a basic human right and this elderly man should be allowed to live out his days in his home which he has provided himself at no cost to the state.”

Solar pays for itself in 7 years

Homeowners who add a standard 12-panel system can now cover the cost of the work in seven years – and they can make net savings of more than €24,000 over 25 years after installation costs, according to a new survey by the Irish Independent Swyft Energy Solar PV Index. The index says the repayment period has dropped by almost half – it was 12 years in 2021.

High electricity prices (53 per cent higher now in ROI than in 2021) and the removal of VAT on solar panel installation are contributing factors.

Meanwhile MEP Seán Kelly recently highlighted that ROI spends €1 million every hour on fossil fuel imports.

Doors stolen from selfbuild

A front door and garage door were stolen from a house under construction in Co Limerick, reports Limerick Live.

The doors had only just been fitted and there was a lock on a gate at the entrance to the site but criminals cut the lock and left with the doors.

Sergeant Ber Leetch, crime prevention officer at Henry Street garda station said: “I have seen this type of crime happen and it is very upsetting for the homeowners.”

“If you are building a new home in a remote location, ask neighbours to keep an eye on it and to report any suspicious activity to local gardaí.”

“These doors will probably be offered for sale, never buy property offered like this, it is very likely stolen property. Refuse and report the incident to gardaí.”

Discover

Pipelife

Pipelife is Ireland’s leading designer and supplier of thousands of Home Heating Solutions each year. The Pipelife team work with everyone from homeowners, contractors, architects and consulting engineers across the country in projects ranging from residential homes, offices, hospitals, nursing homes, to warehouses, car showrooms and other commercial and industrial buildings. Put Your Trust in Pipelife – 50 Years of Proud Irish Manufacturing and Serving the Irish Plumbing and Heating Industry.

50 years of Proud Irish Manufacturing

Vacant property grants ‘false hope’, says SCSI report

The Society of Chartered Surveyors Ireland (SCSI)

Annual Residential Market Monitor suggests that residential property prices are expected to stay steady for a while, adding that conveyancing is becoming a concern as are ‘false hope’ vacant property grants.

Almost two-thirds (63 per cent) of those surveyed think that property prices have either reached the highest point and will start to go down or are very close to the highest point and will stay there.

The survey – which questioned over 140 SCSI estate agents – points to factors like how many houses are available, changes in interest rates and shifts in the economy as the main reasons for these expectations.

Looking back at 2023, the survey found that the median price of a house bought in the 12 months to October 2023 was €323,000, up from €241,000 in early 2013 or an increase of almost €82,000 over 11 years.

The counties that experienced the greatest price rises in 2023 were Tipperary, Clare, Limerick, Cavan, Donegal, Leitrim, Monaghan and Sligo, with approximately 6 per cent inflation. This is in contrast to Dublin, which recorded an average -0.6 per cent change in prices over the past 12 months.

However, as of December 2023, the Greater Dublin Area remains the most unaffordable region, followed by Galway. The most affordable locations are the Northwest, Midlands and Southeast.

“False hope” from vacant house grants

The SCSI report praised the increased Vacant Property Refurbishment Grant and feasibility grants for farmhouse structures. The grants aim to bring back old stock for habitable use offering up to €70,000.

However, agents expressed reservations about their impact on property sales. Some mentioned that the grants gave buyers “false hope”, leading them to withdraw from sales after researching the complex drawdown process.

Sales hit by slow probate and conveyancing

Property sales are continuing to fall through due to “inefficient and lengthy” probate and conveyancing processes, the report found.

27 per cent of estate agents surveyed said there had been an increase in the number of sales not going through in the last quarter of 2023.

Conveyancing involves the legal transfer of a property title from seller to buyer.

In its analysis, the SCSI found that estate agents are getting increasingly frustrated because things are taking a long time with probate (sorting out someone’s will and estate) and reaching the probate office.

Estate agents also commented on problems with a slow and inefficient process for transferring property ownership affecting sales. Other issues mentioned include problems with planning, not following building rules, disputes over property boundaries and slow lending decisions and approvals/ drawdowns from the banking sector.

Energy ratings boost resale

If, for whatever reason, you decide to put your finished A or B-rated self-build

Grants to do up a house

The Vacant Property Refurbishment Grant offers €50,000 for vacant properties (€60,000 for island dwellings) and €70,000 for derelict properties (€84,000 for island dwellings). The house must have been built before 2007, the property can be refurbished for rental or to be owneroccupied.

Applications are done through your local authority and are open to all regions in ROI, both rural and urban. You must be buying or own a vacant or derelict property to avail of the grant. VAT is included in the grant amount, shaving 23 per cent off the face value of the grants unless you hire a contractor in which case the reduced VAT rate of 13.5 per cent will apply.

Through a pilot grant, there’s also €7,500 available for expert conservation advice for those doing up a vacant farmhouse and availing of the vacant property grant.

After that the main grant is for energy upgrades through the Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland (SEAI); insulation (detached house €1.5k to €1.7k for attic or cavity wall, dry lining €4.5k, external wall insulation €8k), heat pumps (€6.5k), solar panels (PV up to €2.4k and thermal €1.2k), and heating controls (€700).

The SEAI’s example for a detached house shows homeowners spending €64.5k to do the work with a €24.1k grant meaning they were out of pocket €40.4k. There are other grants but these aren’t open to all; e.g. disability.

home on the market you can expect a premium on your sale price, according to the report’s findings.

61 per cent of agents believe that a property’s Building Energy Rating (BER) is an important decision making factor about the level of offer made on the property.

The SCSI survey found that there is a widening price gap between energy efficient homes (rated B or higher) and their less efficient counterparts (rated C or lower) due to the time and costs required for retrofit improvements, despite government grants.

Discussing the survey’s findings on RTÉ Radio 1, John O’Sullivan, Chair of the SCSI’s Practice and Policy Committee said that house buyers were attracted to A and B-rated properties due to growing environmental consciousness and attractive green mortgage rates from banks for properties with energy efficient ratings.

New guide to help you renovate an old building

The ROI Department of Housing has published a new technical guide to help homeowners renovate their old building, built before the 1940s.

A new guidance document aimed at helping homeowners renovate their historic properties emphasises that energy performance upgrades should be approached with caution, stating that “the integrity of our traditional buildings needs to be respected when changes are being made”.

“The energy performance of most of our historic and traditional buildings can be improved, helping them continue to be viable, both now and into the future.”

Thanks to the uptake of the vacant properties fund, which can see homeowners avail of up to €70k in grants, there has been a demand for more technical guidance when it comes to upgrading traditional buildings. For the upgrade of more recent builds including early solid concrete walls and early twin-leafed or cavity wall construction, check S.R.54:2014&A2:2022 Code of Practice for the Energy Efficient Retrofit of Dwellings.

New guide document to help renovate an old building

The guidance document published by the National Built Heritage Service of the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage (under the Climate Action Plan 2023) focuses on energy upgrades on older buildings.

The focus is on doing as little work as possible to make the building viable and liveable, using techniques that are reversible.

The guidance also emphasises that work should only be undertaken on parts of the building “that need it”, “do not replace them unless they can no longer do the job”. It also says that energy upgrades must only be undertaken once the building is in “good repair”.

The guidance document outlines statutory obligations, including

major renovations, and identifies the professionals and trades that will help you on your project, highlighting which qualifications they should have.

Typical traditional building types

Older buildings, the guidance document points out, are better at keeping in the heat than they are often given credit for, outlining its thermal mass properties. Moisture movement and management are also looked at in detail, as well as ventilation and indoor air quality.

The step by step guide to how to approach the energy upgrade of your traditional home looks at the process of making a plan over 10 stages, from the decision to undertake the project to implementation.

Evaluating whether or not you should undertake a specific measure is at the heart

of the guidance. Each building element is looked at in detail, from roof to walls to floor.

The guidance document also looks at when it is suitable to introduce renewable heating technologies such as heat pumps, taking into account the Heat Loss Indicator, which measure how energy efficient the building fabric is. The document outlines the other options with considerations for each.

A killer for one-off housing in Ireland?

As the draft Transport Plan for ROI undergoes public consultation, rural advocates are calling for fairness and equitable treatment for people living and wanting to build in rural areas.

The proposed transport plan by the Department of Transport, aiming to reduce emissions, has sparked criticism from rural advocates and TDs alike.

The draft document, titled Moving Together: A Strategic Approach to Improved Efficiency of the Transport System in Ireland, prioritises ‘brownfield’ developments over ‘greenfield’ developments for housing, which has drawn criticism for its perceived discrimination against rural communities. The plans are aimed at cutting car usage.

What the draft proposal contains

Compact settlements and sustainable transport: The plan highlights the importance of compact settlements for sustainable transport options. This suggests a preference for developments that are densely populated and well-connected, rather than dispersed one-off housing.

Taxation measures: The document mentions the use of taxation measures to influence land use, with a focus on incentivising brownfield development over greenfield development. This could potentially make it more costly or less attractive to develop one-off housing in rural areas.

“Aggressively taxing someone to discourage them from building a rural home or living in rural housing is disgraceful and, if implemented, will devastate rural Ireland,” said TD Mattie McGrath. With its emphasis on compact settlements, taxation measures and zoning regulations, the proposed plan may present challenges for individuals seeking to build one-off housing, particularly in terms of cost, location and regulatory compliance.

Development contributions and land value sharing: There are discussions about the use of

Planning refusals for homes on N71

Transport Infrastructure Ireland (TII) is preventing farmers’ children from building homes on their parents’ lands along the N71, reports the Southern Star. Councillor Joe Carroll was reported as saying the TII’s policy on planning in relation to national roads is a “killer for one-off housing in rural Ireland”, raising a motion at local authority meeting asking TII to reconsider its policy.

Timeframe for claims in NI could be extended

NI Finance Minister Caoimhe Archibald is looking at bringing forward legislation to address defective buildings in Northern Ireland. Currently, defective building claims are only valid for six years as compared to homeowners in England and Wales who have 30 years in which to make claims if an issue arises.

This comes on the back of residents of an apartment block in Belfast who were forced to leave over safety fears. They were refunded nearly five years of rates payments, following the minister’s intervention in their compensation case.

development contributions and land value sharing to fund infrastructure for housing developments. This could impact the cost and feasibility of one-off housing projects, especially if they are not within existing built-up areas.

Residential Zoned Land Tax: The introduction of a Residential Zoned Land Tax aims to prompt residential development on serviced land. While this may encourage development in designated areas, it could also add financial considerations for individuals seeking to build one-off housing outside of these zones.

Building material costs still high

There is “no real sign” that the price of materials crucial for building homes will return to pre-Covid levels any time soon, said a representative body of builder’s merchants in ROI.

Paul Candon, chief executive of United Hardware and president of Hardware Association Ireland (HAI) said “prices for building and construction materials are up about 40pc since 2019” stating that this represents “a huge percentage increase” when building a house. Materials affected included the likes of timber, cement, insulation, steel and sewer pipes, which are key for building houses.

Levy holiday, Help to Buy extended

The temporary waiver on development contributions in ROI has driven the largest increase in new build starts since records began, as Minister for Housing Darragh O’Brien indicates it will be extended until the end of 2024.

Incoming Taoiseach Simon Harris has pledged more supports for self-builders in the form of extending both the Help to Buy scheme and the waiver on development contributions.

In his first speech as leader of Fine Gael, he confirmed to the party’s Ard Fheis in Galway on April 6, that they will extend the Help to Buy scheme for an extra five years.

The following week, on April 13, Minister for Housing Darragh O’Brien told the Fianna Fáil Ard Dheis he would extend the waiver until the end of the year and extend the First Home Scheme until 2025. The First Home Scheme is a no interest loan for the first five years of repayment.

“I am bringing a paper to cabinet this week that will scrap the development levies and water charges for all homes, including rural homes, for the remainder of this year,” Housing Minister Darragh O’Brien told the party’s annual conference, citing average savings of €12,700 per home.

The temporary measure was intended to last one year, until April 24, 2024, and was conditional on the completion of the home no later than December 31, 2025.

The ‘Development Contribution’ levy, known as Section 48, is a payment towards the local council’s infrastructure, including neighbourhood amenities, roads and footpaths, and traffic management.

‘The waiver is working’

During a Seanad debate on Thursday, April 11, State Minister Joe O’Brien said that the levy holiday scheme (due to expire on April 24) had seen the largest increase in new build starts since records began in 2015.

In January and February this year, there was a 71 per cent increase in new build commencements (7,056 new homes) compared with the same period in 2023. Overall, there was an increase of 22 per cent of new homes started in 2023 on the previous year (32,801 compared to 26,957).

Minister O’Brien told the Seanad: “The temporary time-limited nature of the waiver and refund schemes has undoubtedly been a positive factor in influencing the speedier activation of

planning permissions by developers since they were introduced last year, including planning permissions that have been granted for a number of years and were not activated. The schemes have also assisted in enhancing the viability of developments and incentivising the bringing forward of developments that might not otherwise have been financially viable.”

Senator John McGahon, who introduced the debate to the Seanad, explained how well the levy waiver scheme was working in his constituency. “We have seen a huge increase in the number of commencements in the past 12 months as a result of it,” he said. “I see that through my office at home in Dundalk, where many people, who are predominantly my age, are building for the first time. They are going through the entire process and are now worried about the prospect of an added cost of €11,000 being put on top of all their building requirements and building costs by the end of this month. It is crucial that we extend the scheme. It is a very good idea that has been proven to work, especially over the past

12 months, when we see how many commencements have started, particularly in rural one-off housing.”

Backlog of 95,000 units

Commenting on the announcement, Martin Markey, CEO of Hardware Association Ireland (HAI), welcomed the new Taoiseach’s commitment to bolster support in addressing the current housing crisis but believed more measures are necessary. “With a backlog of demand for 95,000 housing units, the projected construction of approximately 33,000 this year leaves a significant shortfall,” he says.

“While the Help to Buy scheme and development levy waiver have made progress, HAI urges the government to expand the vacant and derelict property grants to include above-shop living units. Currently limited to single units, extending grants to multi-unit development could revitalise urban areas plagued by derelict properties and provide much-needed new homes.”

Minister for Housing Darragh O’Brie

Hotel-inspired upgrade bags award

A renovated 1920s terraced home in Dublin won RTÉ’s Home of the Year 2024.

Shane Murray and Marty Campbell, finalists from Episode 6 of RTÉ house programme Home of the Year, bagged the coveted end-ofseason award.

The couple purchased their 1920s terraced house in Dublin in 2022 in a state of disrepair. Renovating the home was a big project which involved upgrading the heating system,

replacing windows and knocking down a wall.

They also repositioned the kitchen and gutted the interior and exterior of the home and even changed the front garden layout to allow for an electric charging station for a car.

Shane and Marty’s style was inspired by their passion for hotels and travel and they love how their home represents

their personalities and their lives together.

The tenth series of Home of the Year saw the three judges Hugh Wallace, Amanda Bone and Sara Cosgrove visit 21 homes across ROI.

The other six finalists are profiled on the following three pages.

Episode 1 Finalist: Ian Humphreys and Sarah MacCarthy, Cork

Ian and Sarah live in an old school house built in the 1900s, which they purchased in 2019.

When they bought their home, they had a number of internal renovations to complete, such as removing plaster to expose the original brick work and levelling the floor in the great room. Their aim was to restore it back to its former glory. They wanted the original features and the character of the building to do the talking.

They describe their home as creative with a

brilliant atmosphere and say it’s a great place for parties, entertaining and playing music.

Sarah and Ian feel like they are caretakers of the home and love when people knock in to share their own memories of the school.

Episode 2 Finalist: Peter Carvill, Tyrone

Peter lives in a gate lodge in Co Tyrone. The house was built in the mid 1700s and Peter purchased this property in 2022. It is a Grade 2 listed building, and an extension was added approximately 25 years ago by the previous owner.

Peter saw the house as an inspiration and settled on a mix of country chic and cottagecore for his interiors which he felt fitted beautifully with the nature that surrounds his home, creating a warm and cosy vibe. It was also important to Peter to honour the history of the home while still putting his own stamp on it.

For Peter, his home is a place of solace, somewhere to unwind after a busy workday. It is also the perfect home to entertain his friends and family whether they are sitting by the fire playing the piano having a good sing- song or a BBQ in the garden, he loves every part of it.

Episode 3 Finalist: Kieran and Olivia McDaid, Derry

Olivia and Kieran live in a historic Georgian Rectory in Co Derry with their young daughter and Luna, the dog.

The Rectory was built in 1774 and they purchased the property in 2020. The building had been in use by the Church of Ireland since 1774 and Kieran and Olivia were delighted to find it in relatively good condition. They replaced some flooring, ceilings on the ground floor and breathed new life into the interior.

Olivia and Kieran were heavily inspired by their travels and filled their family home with

an eclectic mix of period pieces and items from abroad. They love the architecture, period features and high ceilings throughout their home and feel that these features lend themselves well to their bold and beautiful sense of style.

Episode 4 Finalist: Craig Dee and Matthew O’Rourke, Waterford

Craig and Matthew purchased their small 1930s cottage in 2018 when it was in a bad state of repair. They rebuilt the cottage section whilst retaining the vernacular shape of the existing building and added a link corridor and a two-story extension cladded in black charred larch.

Craig and Matthew have a keen interest in Danish design and the retro ‘mad men’ styling of the midcentury era and favoured simplistic and clean lines of contemporary living and pops of colour adding natural greenery throughout the home.

Their family and friends admire the aesthetic of the home and the couple love the space they have created, and how it’s full of warmth and represents them.

See page 44 for the full project profile.

Episode 5 Finalist: Rebecca and Eamonn McMackin, Offaly

Rebecca and Eamonn live in a renovated 1950s bungalow with their two young children in Co Offaly. When they purchased their home, it was in need of a full renovation, but Rebecca and Eamonn could see it had good vibes with lots of potential.

They left two original external sides of the house and gutted the rest. Their main goal was to create a large light filled functional kitchen, dining, living space to the rear of the property, so they extended out the back.

The couple wanted to incorporate ocean blues, greens, and sand tones throughout the home to create a relaxing calming environment which is near and dear to both as Rebecca grew up in oceanside Nova Scotia, Canada and Eamonn spent childhood summers in Donegal.

Episode 7 Finalist: Eugene McCarthy, Dublin

Eugene and his son Alex live in a 1920s terraced house in Dublin. Eugene purchased this property in 2022 and completed extensive renovations both aesthetically and structurally. The house underwent a deep retrofit and rear extension with a view to transforming it into a contemporary A rated home.

Eugene’s main aim was to create a modern home which is sustainable, so he added solar panels and an electric car charging station in the driveway.

He describes the interior of the home as contemporary and light

filled; he sees it as the perfect home for him and his son, that meets all their needs.

Discover the perfect fusion of form and function with MIRAGE - our new range of Wetroom Panels. Available in Fluted, Smoked and Clear Glass, this collection provides a variety of design choices to suit your taste.

Download the latest SONAS Bathrooms Brochure for more bathroom ideas and design inspiration.

Shower panels on trend

If you’re building a new home, chances are you’re likely to invest in a shower panel. That’s according to Sonas Bathrooms, a leading manufacturer of contemporary bathroom products, who’s seen the trend gaining momentum since 2020.

The company has reported an impressive threefold surge in wetroom panel sales, attributing it to a growing preference for modern, super-size luxurious showers, that offer an open and spacious feel with easy maintenance without moving parts.

Renowned for their sleek appearance and minimalistic design, shower panels are becoming the hallmark of contemporary bathrooms.

To meet this growing demand Sonas has launched two distinctive new wetroom panel ranges in 2024, the Aspect Scandinavian coloured panels and the sophisticated framed Mirage range with the addition of fluted and smoky glass options.

sonasbathrooms.com

Summer’s delight

Roadstone has opened a new retail outlet for the public and the trade, in Mullaghcrone, Co Meath.

You’ll find a complete range of paving, walling and building materials on offer. This

includes roof tiles but also porcelain paving and decorative stone.

Decorative stone is ideal for any driveway, footpath or flowerbed, and is available in a range of colours (from the Autumn Mix to Aran stone) and sizes (10mm, 14mm or 20mm). The gravel is also ideal for use with Gravel Stablising Sheets to help gravel stay in place.

The retail depot is located between Drogheda and Donore, Eircode A92 AV61, and is open 8am-5pm Monday to Friday. Check Roadstone’s social media for free garden design consultations, promotional offers and new product launches.

roadstone.ie

Renovate and Ventilate

New to the BEAM Vacuum & Ventilation range of mechanical ventilation systems are Decentralised Mechanical Extract Ventilation (dMEV) fans. Ideal for renovations, extensions and self-builds, the extract fans are located in bathrooms, kitchens and utility.

Moisture and pollutants are removed, helping improve indoor air quality. In addition, dMEV fans effectively help with condensation control and reduce the risk of mould and mildew growth.

The humidity sensing low energy fans help reduce overall energy consumption and comply with building regulations.

Easy to maintain, the dMEV fan is simple to monitor and easily controlled by the user friendly app.

beamcentralsystems.com

Sonas MIRAGE wetroom panel matt black angled support bar fluted glass

World Class Renewable Heating Solutions

Future Proofing Your Home for Your New Build or Upgrade

Environment Innovation Technology

Enviroair Air Source Heat Pump

• High performance levels and space saving.

• Economical and environmentally friendly.

• Ideal for newbuilds or home upgrades.

• Comfort all year round.

Envirocyl Quick Plumb Unit

• For all your hot water requirements - ideal for multiple bathrooms.

• Fully pre-plumbed and pre-wired cylinders - cuts installation time.

• Mains pressure hot water for fast filling baths and powerful showers.

• Easy access for installation and servicing.

Enviroair Underfloor Heating

• 25% more efficient than traditional radiators.

• Ideal for well insulated, low energy homes.

• More space and design freedom.

• Safety and comfort

Enviroair Ventilation

• Improves the indoor air quality.

• Can recover up to 90% of normal wasted heat.

• Reduces your heating costs.

• Eliminates mould, mildew, and combats condensation.

Overview project

The self-made house

Words: Heather Campbell

Photography: Damien Kelly

Michael and Edel

McDonough’s hands-on approach shines through in every aspect of their self-build journey in Co Laois.

House size: 4,500 sqft

Bedrooms: 7

Plot size: 0.4 acre

BER: A2

Heating system: air to water heat pump, standalone stoves

Ventilation: centralised mechanical heat recovery

Build method: cavity block