Heather is a freelance writer based near Kilkenny city. She has over 20 years’ experience writing for various newspapers and magazines such as the Belfast Telegraph. Living and working abroad for a number of years, she loves exploring new cultures and experiencing different ways of life, which often serve as inspiration for her writing, email hacampbell0@gmail.com
For Elaine and David Douglas, building this Co Down modern new build was a way to strike a healthy work life balance. In this article we cover: We were very happy living in our previous home on a housing development,” says Elaine. “We ran a successful business, had great neighbours, great friends and our two […] More
This developer built home gave Leigh-Ann Jackson and family all the perks of a tailored self-build without the self-builder’s pain. In this article we cover: “At the start of 2019, we were living in Newtownabbey and looking to buy a new build home in or around Greenisland, as my husband and I both work in […] More
How Denise and Fiachra Sinnott of Co Cork transformed their tired old 1980s chalet bungalow into a 21st century family home, carrying out the reno in just three weeks. In this article we cover: House size before: 190sqm plus attached garage 90sqmHouse size after: 250sqm plus attached garage 30sqmBedrooms: 4Plot size: 1 acrePurchase cost: €295kHome […] More
Planning consultant Sean McHenry spent years in a protracted battle to secure planning permission for his parents Colm and Nora’s new build. In this article we cover: The layout of my parents’ existing home was becoming challenging for my mother due to her mobility issues and its isolated location – albeit just one mile away […] More
This Co Wicklow steel frame new build came about from a gift of land nestled in the forest. In this article we cover: Lisa and I had been living and working in Amsterdam for a number of years, when we began seriously thinking about starting a family,” says David. “Lisa’s parents, Paul and Mellen, had […] More
This historical lookout for seafaring smugglers was renovated to meet the demands of a holiday home and retain period features. In this article we cover: The watchtower, perched on the coastline above Portnablagh, was built to aid the local coastguard in their efforts to keep a lookout for seafaring smugglers. “The earliest detailed record I […] More
How Alanna and James Connolly made the most of the sloping site they bought with planning approved for a split level home. In this article we cover: “Our family was growing and we needed somewhere to live, but at that time, there weren’t many houses for sale locally,” says Alanna. “However, there was a site […] More
With their first baby on the way, Jemima and James Hammond knew their two-bed cottage would need a space and storage upgrade. But the rear extension they built gave them far more. In this article we cover: Damp and dated, Jemima and James’s two-bed, 1920s cottage couldn’t function as a modern family home. With very […] More
Kieran and Anita McGrath are a typical example of how forward-thinking self-builders are, especially when it comes to making an energy efficient home. Not only did the couple achieve impressive eco credentials back in 2011, they drew up their house plans and project managed the build themselves. In this article we look at: With their […] More
Even though Emma and Mark Smith were reluctant renovators, they knew a home extension project was the only way to create the family home of their dreams in such a desirable location. In this article Emma and Mark talk about their home renovation proejct: With six bedrooms, an acre-and-a-half of beautifully mature gardens and breathtaking […] More
From design vision to final finish, first-time self-builders Colin and Nicole McKee rolled up their sleeves and got stuck in. In this article we cover: “We were fortunate to have a site on Colin’s family farmland and after watching way too many episodes of Grand Designs, we convinced ourselves that we could take on a […] More
Paul and Diane Gates stumbled across an old hilltop farmhouse for sale with jaw dropping views across Belfast’s cityscape. This unexpected discovery was a stroke of luck that followed them throughout their self-build journey. In this article we cover: Paul and Diane Gates hadn’t set out to become self-builders. Neither of them had built a […] More
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