Starting a self build and reno in Ireland

[Jess Shannon]

Hello!

My partner and I are just starting out on our project after buying a derelict cottage in Ireland. I hope it's ok to post questions about it here, I know the laws/codes can be quite different in Ireland, but there's not many resources like this forum.

We're total novices at building, but want to do as much as we can ourselves and to learn while doing it. We've had a little input from architects and a builder who will hopefully be working with us. Obviously we'll be getting an engineer involved eventually.

Our starting point is a mostly untouched vernacular 3 room Irish Cottage. With countless layers of lime plaster on the walls and no plumbing of any kind. Sometime in the 70s the outside was concrete rendered, a limited electrical install was added, and the remains of the old thatched roof was covered over with asbestos cement boards. Close to the house is a small traditional stone shed. The whole area is criss crossed with beautiful dry stone walls.

Our current plan is to restore the cottage in an authentic traditional way, with breathable lime plaster. But have a new well insulated roof, door, and windows. Then link it to the barn with a flat roof extension. The stone barn will be fully enveloped in a new building which extends out the other side to create a spare bedroom and ensuite bathrooms.

Here's a few photos. I'm sure I'll have lots of specific questions as we go!
 

[jack]

Wow, that's a great looking location and project!

 

7 minutes ago, Jess Shannon said:

I hope it's ok to post questions about it here, I know the laws/codes can be quite different in Ireland, but there's not many resources like this forum.

 

Absolutely 100% fine. Codes vary across the UK too, so we're used to that. 

 

There's an "Ireland" sub-forum (which I've just noticed is embarrassingly under the "UK" heading - sorry about that!) that deals with stuff like local suppliers, building regs,  etc. Pretty sure it's used by everyone from the island of Ireland.

 

More generally, unless your questions are specific to your location, the best place for them is usually the relevant subject sub-forum rather than the location-specific one.

 

Looking forward to seeing more about your project as it progresses.

[saveasteading]

@Jess Shannon

Welcome. The weather and physics are the same so on practical matters there is lots of knowledge on here.

When do you plan to start?

 

Are the stone walls about 600mm thick? Granite or what?

[TheMitchells]

looks a really interesting build - cant wait to hear more about it.  Please do a blog for the process, if able (and if you have time).😄  

[ETC]

I think you should seriously reconsider the design. Take a look at the recent episode that Patrick Bradley did of a renovation of a clachan. I don’t think what you are doing is in keeping with the vernacular dwellings and is overpowering. Think about a more subtle way of renovating the buildings that will allow the original buildings to stand out and not be overwhelmed by the new proposals.

Edited October 14 by ETC

[Jess Shannon]

19 hours ago, saveasteading said:

When do you plan to start?

It will hopefully be next spring, once we've got all the planning etc sorted

 

19 hours ago, saveasteading said:

Are the stone walls about 600mm thick? Granite or what?

Yes, around 500-600mm I think, they're very wobbly in places. I think it's all limestone.

 

19 hours ago, TheMitchells said:

Please do a blog for the process,

Well we've started a YouTube channel! Minty and Mortar. So far it's mostly been sorting and clearing out the previous inhabitants things, and uncovering some interesting Irish rural history.
 

[Jess Shannon]

19 hours ago, ETC said:

I think you should seriously reconsider the design. Take a look at the recent episode that Patrick Bradley did of a renovation of a clachan. I don’t think what you are doing is in keeping with the vernacular dwellings and is overpowering. Think about a more subtle way of renovating the buildings that will allow the original buildings to stand out and not be overwhelmed by the new proposals.

I understand! We've gone through so many different designs, trying to preserve as much of the lovely stone work as we can, make the most of the views and light at the rear (facing south) and still get the space we want. It's an awkward site with some tight angles that have limited our options. We're all looking closely at how it appears from the road as approaching.

I'm not sure which episode you mean, is it the one in Ballymena with the yellow doors and windows? It's lovely. I wish we could somehow just keep the cottage as is, but it's tiny. Barely 35sqm.

We're not set on the external finishes yet, so I think choosing those carefully will help.

[saveasteading]

13 hours ago, Jess Shannon said:

trying to preserve as much of the lovely stone work as we can

Agreed. We are glad we did that and that the bco agreed.

Externally, you should read up on best practice guides. Lime coating the whole face is not great unless the masonry is soft or really rough.

 

Limestone can be soft or hard. Yours?

Edited October 15 by saveasteading

[Jess Shannon]

On 15/10/2025 at 23:09, saveasteading said:

Lime coating the whole face is not great unless the masonry is soft or really rough.

 

Limestone can be soft or hard. Yours?

What would be the best option for the exterior do you think? I've seen some spray on lime renders. I'd like to be able to see the contours of the stones.

Not sure if it qualifies as soft or hard stone, I'd have to ask the mason.

[saveasteading]

5 hours ago, Jess Shannon said:

soft or hard stone,

Do you have any exposed stone? Try to scratch it, then try harder .

Granite will remain ummarked. Limestone and sandstone are variable.

People near you may know what the local stone is. Yours will not have travelled far.