Astrid Madsen is the editor of the SelfBuild magazine. Email astrid.madsen@selfbuildextendrenovate.co.uk
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
In this Instagram Live, energy consultant Rodger O’Connor of ROC Energy chats through which energy grants you should invest in ROI, from insulation to PV panels. He chats through how to apply for grants in ROI and which ones make the most sense for anyone considering upgrading the energy efficiency of their home, from upgrading […] More