Astrid Madsen is the editor of the SelfBuild magazine. Email astrid.madsen@selfbuildextendrenovate.co.uk
TDs and local councillors in ROI are pushing to change planning rules, to support the uptake of log homes. In this article we cover: Independent TDs want to see log homes given planning permission, in a bid to build more durable, energy efficient and cost effective homes in rural Ireland. In most rural areas in […] More
How Linda and Edward Mulkern built their 220sqm island new build house on Achill Island, replacing a concrete bunker house that had been their holiday digs for years. In this article we cover: A chill Island, with its soaring sea cliffs, Blue Flag beaches and raw natural beauty, was brought to Hollywood’s attention this year […] More
Check out the homes that have won awards in 2023, from the Federation of Master Builder Awards to architects’ awards. In this article we cover: Celebrating building excellence in NI is the biennial Federation of Master Builder (FMB) Awards. The accolades this year went to a range of different house styles, from historical to modern. […] More
Broadband infrastructure in remote rural areas depends on UK government funding, which the NI Department for the Economy (DfE) is working to secure. In this article we cover: Funds are coming from the UK government to roll out superfast (1,000 megabits per second) broadband to all parts of NI thanks to Project Gigabit, which the […] More
Two in three homes in NI need energy upgrades to meet the region’s 2030 net zero goal. In this article we cover: NI is struggling to meet its net zero targets as a new study shows homeowners in ROI can’t afford to carry out energy upgrades in their home. 50,000 buildings a year or 60 […] More
TDs, councillors and lobby groups are calling for the ROI government to publish Sustainable Rural Housing Guidelines, over a decade in the making. In this article we cover: 16 years in the making, the update to the ROI Sustainable Rural Housing Guidelines has yet to be published by the ROI Department of Housing. The rural […] More
Ethel and Stan Smith share how they went about their bungalow hemp renovation in Co Carlow. In this article we cover: What is the background to the project? When we moved into this mid-1980s house we saw it as a fantastic opportunity to renovate. It needed work done in any areas, from electrical upgrades to […] More
A new report shows rural regions rely on self-builds for new housing stock. In this article we cover: Completions and commencements are at record levels in ROI, and self-builds are propping up the mortgage market in rural regions, according to a new report. The Banking & Payments Federation Ireland‘s Housing Market Monitor for the first […] More
The ROI grant available to replace old lead pipes in Irish homes is now open to all. In this article we cover: All homes built before the 1980s that contain lead pipes can avail of a grant to replace them, thanks to a grant scheme introduced in 2016. As of December 2022 the scheme is […] More
How to shave hundreds of euros or pounds off your utility bills, thanks to energy saving tips from official sources. In this article we cover: A family of four could be spending as much as €25 per day on electricity, gas and home heating in ROI. That’s according to research from Queen’s University, which estimates […] More
Fiona and Liam Canavan had their timber frame extension built off site; this is how they got on installing it. In this article we cover: How did the project get started? It was always our plan to move out here to the countryside near Fiona’s family. The house we bought had been originally built through […] More
The Royal Institute of the Architects of Ireland (RIAI) updated its guide to working with an architect for 2023. In this article we cover: The RIAI’s new guide for working with an architect has been updated to include the RIAI’s 2030 Climate Challenge, a voluntary pledge to design buildings to have as little impact as possible on […] More