INTRODUCTION

This is the first Green-Door Leitrim weekend staged and co- ordinated by Inspirational Homes Leitrim. We welcome you to a unique festival of rural architecture and design, a weekend overflowing with the chance to discover the unknown gems of the county’s building stock and to participate in some of the many building and architecture-centred activities that are freely awaiting you.

After decades of bad press from de-population to the current ‘ghost estate’ scandal, Leitrim has quietly built itself a reputation as a county brimming with artists and alternative ways of living. Ireland’s organic movement was kick-started here at The Organic Centre in Rossinver and the Leitrim Sculpture Centre, The Dock and The Glens Centre are all hubs of artistic excellence, but less is known about the dozens of inspirational homes and future-proof buildings hidden in our hills.

Many of these structures are experiments in sustainability; others are statements in themselves - combining the modern and the rural. They are at the forefront of creative, modern and sustainable building in Ireland and best of all, the owners are all willing to share their homes and their experiences with us. Green-Door Leitrim weekend is an amazing opportunity to meet, chat and network with self-builders, architects and the owners and residents of these diverse and inspirational buildings.

LMN10 LMS17 LMN11

There are a number of award winning buildings open this weekend such as Fiona and Mark’s “Landscape Room” (LMN10) and Dominic Stevens’ “House” (LMS17) but all buildings should win awards for the imagination, love, hard work, care and passion that is embedded in their walls. Several of the sites also have productive and beautiful gardens, turning the Leitrim soil into food and flowers such as Charlie Easterfield, (LMN16), Klaus and Joanna (LMN04) and Síle Mills (LMN11).

The residents of Leitrim are proud of what they have and keen to share their successes and inspirations with a wider audience. This is what the Green-Door Leitrim weekend can do. We hope this FREE weekend will inspire you too.

Jo Lewis, project manager www.inspirationalhomes.ie 1 IHL & LEITRIM DEVELOPMENT COMPANY (LDC) HOW IT WORKS WEEKEND DIARY

The Leitrim Development Company (LDC) LEADER business plan Most homes and buildings are open for the th times stated and you are welcome to visit Friday 9 September includes a proposal to refocus the construction sector, renewable whenever it suits you during those times. 6 - 7pm Reception and launch of energy and projects in the built heritage. The Company was aware If the house you visit is busy, you will be the weekend at The Dock in Carrick- that there are a significant numbers of buildings in Leitrim with unique asked to wait until some people have left. on-Shannon. Page 4 characteristics including design, materials, and which incorporate There are tours at a number of buildings and 7 - 9.30pm Debate at The Dock: heritage materials, skills and also a variety of innovative technologies. most of these will need pre-booking. Please ‘How can architects help to make rural These buildings have been developed in the past 20 years and are go to www.inspirationalhomes.ie and click living sustainable?’ Page 4 on the events page to book your place to a significant element of the built heritage in Leitrim. avoid disappointment. LDC was aware that there is a significant level of expertise among architects, engineers, The Debate, Bus and Cycle Tours, Film Night Saturday 10th September builders and trades, suppliers, self-builders etc. and that this could contribute to Leitrim and the Children’s Workshops can be pre- becoming a hub in this niche within the construction sector. Consultation took place with Leitrim booked. This is recommended. Homes and buildings in SOUTH County Council and a number of other interested parties and a steering group was established LEITRIM open to the public. Architects to move this idea forward. giving tours at some of the buildings/ homes Take this opportunity to have a guided Pages 9 - 19 tour by the architect of a public building. Research and Analysis Anne Fletcher - The Dock (LMS15), Bus Tours from Carrick Page 8 This led the Board of LDC to conduct research in 2010 on the building stock and to conduct Saturday 11am and 1pm in-depth consultations with various parties including architects, suppliers, builders, trades, self Exhibitions at The Dock Page 6 builders, tourism interests, the Council and the community. The consultations indicated that all Sean Moylan - Agriculture & Fisheries (LMS06), Children’s Event at The Dock Page 6 those involved were very willing to share their experiences, the expertise which has been built Board Building Saturday 1pm and 2pm up and also to allow the buildings to be opened and displayed to the public. Eamon McCarney - North West 7 - 11pm Film Night in An evening of architectural films curated Research Conclusions and Outcomes Health Board Building (LMN07), Sunday 12pm and 2pm by Colin McKeown and Dominic Stevens. One of the strongest conclusions from the research was that establishing an event modeled Page 5 on the “Open House” events in Dublin and Galway would help to highlight this unique aspect of the built heritage in Leitrim. Such an event would also allow for the development of other activities including networking between the various interested parties. It was also felt that a Tips on ‘planning your day’ th website documenting the various properties and highlighting the unique aspects of each would • First decide if there is a bookable tour that Sunday 11 September act as a forum for the exchange of information and a centre for the networking. The Board of you would like to go on and book it. Then Homes and buildings in NORTH LDC then agreed to lead and develop these elements of the project. Leitrim County Council is plan your day around it. Check which LEITRIM open to the public. Architects contributing to co-fund the project. other buildings are nearby that you are giving tours at some of the buildings/ homes interested in. Pages 20 - 44 Green-Door Leitrim • If you are not going on a tour, plan your This inaugural event in 2011 is led by Leitrim Development Company. This will become an trip for the day. Bus & Cycle Tours from Dromahair annual event and the hope is that, as the network of people who are contributing to Inspirational Page 8 Homes Leitrim and as Green-Door develops, they will build on this very unique element of the • Don’t try to visit too many places. You Exhibitions at The Leitrim Sculpture Centre built heritage in the County. It will also become an event which will attract a diverse group of need to allow plenty of time to get the Page 7 visitors to the County from Ireland and from abroad. most out of your visit. • Most homes have a 15 - 30 mins drive Children’s Event at the Leitrim between them. Sculpture Centre Page 7

2 • Drive safely, many Leitrim roads are www.inspirationalhomes.ie3 narrow. Please park responsibly. PUBLIC DEBATE - FRIDAY 9th SEPTEMBER FILM NIGHT - DROMAHAIR VILLAGE

LAUNCH OF GREEN-DOOR LEITRIM WEEKEND AT THE DOCK, CARRICK-ON-SHANNON Saturday 10th September 6 - 7pm Refreshments and the opening of the Dock’s two exhibitions: Cinema North West’s Cinemobile in Dromahair village. ‘A Day is a Room’ (Tracey Hanna) and ‘Bayard Eade’ (Audrey Reynolds). 3pm CHILDREN’S CHOICE: “UP” (96 mins) €5 per person/child 7pm PUBLIC DEBATE: “How can architects help to make rural living sustainable?” The perfect children’s choice for this weekend: A young Carl Fredrickson meets a young adventurous girl named Ellie. They both dream of going to Can they help more or less than any other citizen and do they have the right tools for the a Lost Land in South America. 70 years later, Ellie has died. Carl remembers job? Are we defining ‘sustainable living’ in an appropriate way and are the opportunities to the promise he made to her. Then, when he inadvertently hits a construction facilitate sustainability rightly in the hands of politicians and planners? worker, he is forced to go to a retirement home. But before they can take him, he and his house fly away. However he has a stowaway aboard. An The highly experienced and erudite panel hope to throw some light into the darkened 8 year old boy named Russell, who's trying to get an Assisting the Elderly corners of this debate and to offer a thoughtful response to questions and inspiration from badge. Together, they embark on an adventure, where they encounter talking the audience. dogs, an evil villain and a rare bird named Kevin Panel: Colin Bell, Gordon Ryan, Dominic Stevens, Ciarán Tracy and Christoph Walter 7.30pm “AT HOME IN THE MOVIES” FREE (limited spaces) COLIN BELL BSc Arch, Dip Arch, MSc Arch MRIAI. Has completed many strong ecological, environmental Famous houses in great films with Dominic Stevens (30 mins) and energy related projects, including low energy, self build, private and commercial schemes. He also Dominic will take us through his chosen collection of clips from favourite has experience in heritage and conservation projects. An Taisce Award – (Irish National Trust) for “Most movies showing amazing buildings. Guess which bits he will include from Appropriate Building in the Landscape” - The Organic Centre; 2008 ‘LAMA Award’- (Local Authority Merit Award) for “The Best Ecological Building of The Year” – Office Development . StarWars, North by Northwest, Blade Runner, The Big Lebowski, The Incredibles and Diamonds are forever. See if you can name the other ten GORDON RYAN MSc Architecture. Advanced Materials and Energy Systems in the Built Environment. films included in this collection of clips, by the buildings shown! New building techniques, materials and renewable energy technologies (ongoing); set-up Applied Sense Design & Architecture June 2008 appliedsense.ie; a creative and enthusiastic designer, with a diverse range of Please book online www.inspirationalhomes.ie or ring 087 778 1914. professional experience currently working on Dublin Contemporary 2011 - Production Management (ongoing). 9pm GARBAGE WARRIOR (86 mins) FREE (limited spaces) DOMINIC STEVENS BArch Hons UCD. Worked for Christoph Langhof and Leipe Stegelmann, Berlin, 1989-1995. Lecturer in Architecture DIT. Architect-in-residence, Roscommon County Council, 2005. Shot over three years in the USA, India and Mexico, Garbage Warrior is a Editor of Building Material, the journal of the AAI, 1999-2000. AAI Awards; 1999, 2007, 2011. Arts Council/ feature-length documentary film telling the epic story of maverick architect Office of Public Works: Kevin Kieran Award 2005. Selected Publications: 1999 DOMESTIC, Mermaid Michael Reynolds and his fight to introduce radically sustainable housing. Turbulence, 2003 ‘What Becomes of Rural Ireland?’ in Irish Review, Cork University Press, 2007 RURAL, Mermaid Turbulence. Projects Exhibited:, Royal Hibernian Academy, Dublin 2004, Eigse Carlow, 2006, Imagine a home that heats itself, that provides its own water, that grows its Irish Museum of Modern Art, Dublin 2010, Guggenheim, New York 2010. own food. Imagine that it needs no expensive technology, that it recycles its own waste, that it has its own power source. And now imagine that it can CIARÁN TRACY as been senior planner with Leitrim Co. Council. County Council since 2002. He has a be built anywhere, by anyone, out of the things society throws away. Thirty broad practical experience of both urban and rural planning in Ireland, having held positions with Dun- years ago, architect Michael Reynolds imagined just such a home - then Laoghaire Borough Council, Waterford County Council as well as Dun Laoghaire-Rathdown County Council. From 2000 to 2002, he was a member of the Spatial Planning Unit of the Department of Environment, Heritage set out to build it. Reynolds has been fighting ever since to bring his con- and Local Government, which was responsible for the preparation of the National Spatial Strategy. cept to the public. He believes that in an age of ecological instability and impending natural disaster, his buildings can - and will - change the way CHRISTOPH WALKER Diplom Ingenieur Landscape Architecture 1997 Technical University Munich; UK we live. A snapshot of contemporary geo-politics and an inspirational tale Landscape Institute Part IV Professional Practice Qualification 2004. Joined MosArt, a leading environmental design practice, in 2005. He has over 12 years experience of contributing to and leading international land- of triumph over bureaucracy, Garbage Warrior is above all an intimate scape architecture and public realm projects including pedestrian and streetscape schemes such as Henry portrait of an extraordinary individual and his dream of changing the world. St and O’Connell St, both in Dublin, and the Capital Streets Project in the centre of Edinburgh. Christoph www.youtube.com/watch?v=mlBadkb-xqw is currently project managing the Ballynagran Energy Plus Community Scheme see www.ballynagran.com Please book online www.inspirationalhomes.ie or ring 087 778 1914.

4 www.inspirationalhomes.ie www.inspirationalhomes.ie 5 EXHIBITIONS AT THE DOCK EXHIBITIONS AT LEITRIM SCULPTURE CENTRE

2nd - 11th September Sunday 11th September 11 - 5pm Paul O’Connor: Leitrim Architecture James Kinsella: ‘The way That We Live’ Paul O’Connor presents an extensive series of photographs of the work of four architectural James will bring his piece from the Dock to . Make the most of your chance to practices based in Co. Leitrim. The focus is on domestic architecture: how houses are inhabited help ‘build a home of books’ and fix the roof before the end of the day! and how in turn those houses inhabit the landscape. The idea is to present a picture of some current architecture in Leitrim and show possibilities for the future of domestic architecture. ‘Architecture at the edge’ Elements of this significant Architectural Exhibition, are on loan from Open-House Galway. Friday 9th September from 5pm & Saturday 10th 11am - 5pm International Architecture Critic, Shane O’Toole (Sunday Times), reviewed its Exhibition in Venice and noted that “though Ireland is a small country, her history is long, with structures James Kinsella: ‘The way That We Live’ older than the pyramids dotted throughout the island. She is unique in that her most important monuments are ruins”. The exhibition features contemporary designs in this historic ‘The Way That We Live’ is an exhibition by artist James landscape from the design studio’s of C.J. Falconer & Associates (Waterford), Simon J Kelly P Kinsella that aims to demonstrate how we can, through and Partners (Galway and Westport), Healy & Associates (Limerick) and Taylor Architects art, reclaim that space of defining house-home that was (Castlebar). stolen from us during the ‘Celtic Tiger period’ by the banking institutions, developers, speculators, builders, auctioneers and even the Government through its tax incentives. The DID YOU KNOW... audience can choose a book from the selection on offer or please feel free to bring your own. The chosen book will be The Leitrim Sculpture Centre features used as a building block to construct a sculpture of mortar the following facilities: and books that will represent a traditional three-room cottage. • Hot glass, bronze foundry, metal work and ceramic facilities James will begin this process on Friday 5pm at the start of the Green-Door Leitrim weekend at the Dock. He will then be • Mould-making and model-making there all day Saturday and then at the Leitrim Sculpture centre production area on Sunday 11th. Please join him and help him build this The current show at the LSC: • Heated gallery & project space of dream home! Until 25th September - Michelle Browne, 350 sq.m Alice Lyons – ‘Make Good All Existing’ Artist in Residence, Leitrim Sculpture • Project studios & drawing Centre, 2010 - 2011 Staircase poem about the Dock will be on display. • Performance space

The current show at The Dock: • Five workshop units Tracy Hanna: ‘A day is a Room’ and Audrey Renolds: ‘Bayard Eade’ runs until 3rd December.

CHILDREN CHILDREN Childrens’ workshop from 12 - 1pm. Ages 6 - 12. “Mud Slinging” with ‘Builder in Leitrim’, Kevin Callaghan. All ages, including adults! Phone 087 778 1914 for more details. Places limited. Drop in 1 - 4pm. Clay/mud makes up a significant part of the buildings on show today. Book online www.inspirationalhomes.ie (click on the events page). Have your turn at seeing how it works. Phone 087 778 1914 for more details.

6 www.inspirationalhomes.ie www.inspirationalhomes.ie 7 BUS & CYCLING TOURS

Saturday 10th September Please book all tours online FREE BUS TOURS DEPARTING FROM THE DOCK www.inspirationalhomes.ie

10am - 1pm ‘The Mud’ Tour Travel to see renovations where local mud has been used as a main ingredient: Mary and Frank (LMS05) and Yvonne and Eoin (LMS11) where Terry McGrogan will be on hand to chat about materials and techniques.

2 - 4.30pm ‘The Dominic Stevens’ Tour Travel to see Sue and Diego’s home (LMS02) and then onto Dominic Stevens’ own home (LMS17) for a tour of his €25,000 ‘House’.

Sunday 11th September

FREE BUS TOUR DEPARTING FROM DROMAHAIR (STANFORD’S INN)

11am - 1pm ‘The Three Architects’ Tour Colin Bell: Jo and Mike (LMN29), Thomas Flynn: Michaela and John (LMN31), Ghislain Luthers: Frank Clinton (LMN30)

2.30 - 5pm ‘A Tour of Contrasts’ Aggie Flanagan’s, new-build passive house (LMN26) and Antony and Soraya’s renovated stone cottage with thatch (LMN27).

CYCLE TOUR OF HOMES AROUND DROMAHAIR LED BY ARCHITECT COLIN BELL Enjoy the Leitrim countryside by visiting some of the homes by bicycle. A gentle-paced tour with only a few hills! To include two of Colin’s own designs.

11am - 1pm TOUR 1 (Sunday 11th September ) Meet at Stanford’s pub in Dromahair. Homes to include: Jo and Mike (LMN29), Johnny Gogan (LMN28), Frank Clinton (LMN30) and Seán and Bríd (LMN24). Please note: Only 30mins allowed for at each house. Total distance approx. 10km (6miles). Back to Stanford’s for 1pm. Lunch is available here.

2 - 5pm TOUR 2 (Sunday 11th September ) Meet at Stanford’s pub, Dromahair. Cycle out to visit Charlie Easterfield (LMN16) and Rob and Mairéad (LMN17). A slightly longer ride approx. 20km (12miles). Back approx. 5pm.

8 www.inspirationalhomes.ie LMS02 Susan and Diego Thomas and Deirdre LMS03 Architect Dominic Stevens Thomas Flynn Architect

New build. Susan and Diego wanted something modern and visually interesting for their new This home type is based in the typical 3 roomed cottage, with sleeping accommodation in family home. They loved Dominic’s design and were aware that getting something non-standard the loft space. A modern family home designed by the architect-owner which centres on their built would be a challenge as the build would not have been previously tried and tested: kitchen, the largest room in the house. It is orientated to have the sun all day long. ‘It was not a difficult building but it was different.’ The shape of the house resembles a ‘clachan’ A large picture window in the kitchen with built in window seat, frames the view of Sliabh An (group of houses), and the deep reveals around the windows fit in with the vernacular. Iarainn. All ground floor rooms open off a large circulation space, which is made up of The home nestles into the countryside and provides a comfortable home as well as a suitable a series connected rooms doubling up as library, playroom & gallery. environment in which to work. Open plan areas and smaller quieter rooms. OPEN Saturday 10th September 11am - 5pm. Architect Thomas will be on hand OPEN Saturday 10th September 12 - 4pm. Please call/text 087 909 1196 if possible to answer questions and give tours. to let us know you are coming. LOCATION Aghacashlaun, 15 mins from LOCATION Corrabeagh, Foxfield Carrick-on-Shannon 20 mins Carrick-on-Shannon (+54° 04 558 -7° 92 818) (+54° 024 205 -7° 88 612) Easy access and ample parking. Easy access, off small road. Parking near lake, follow signs. Sustainable Features • Geothermal heat pump Sustainable Features • Passive heating through solar gain • Part green roof • Planted woodland for future fuel • Auro natural paints • Timber windows • Geothermal heating • Separately plumbed grey water system • Solar gain for WC’s & washing machine & sewage treatment plant

10 www.inspirationalhomes.ie www.inspirationalhomes.ie 11 LMS05 Mary and Frank Dept of Agriculture & Fisheries & Food Offices LMS06 Sean Moylan Architect

Has been in Frank’s family for 6 generations. All the work was done through the Lá Nua project A unique opportunity to see inside this very modern office and hear the architect talk about whose criteria were that the methods and materials employed should be faithful to the his remit for the build and his aims and inspirations for the design. The two wooden-clad original combined with new eco-technolgies where possible. Thus they have lime and stone rectangular boxes have an imposing presence and are unexpected on such a small rural work combined with rubber slates. Frank remembers summers spent in this home of his road. Never visible in its entirety it is hard to know the scale of the building or to know of its grandparents and how many children would be bedded down in the three small rooms. internal courtyards. Open-plan airy interior spaces with polished concrete and timber finishes Now the three bedroomed and ensuite facilities sleep 6 very comfortably; highlighting the give a cool and clean feel. Large windows and, as one reviewer put it: ‘this window feels like changing times in the history of Irish homes. an enormous artist’s canvas portraying to the workforce why they come to work every day - to be part of the productive landscape for which they have an administrative responsibility’! OPEN Saturday 10th September 11am - 5pm OPEN Saturday 10th September. LOCATION Aghacashel, 30 mins from Tours only. Tours: 1 - 2pm and Carrick-on-Shannon 3 - 4pm by Sean Moylan. (+54° 06 319 -7° 91 637) Book online. Access down a good but small lane, 1km off the main road. LOCATION Aughacashel Rd, Parking outside the house. (+54° 05 208 -8° 02 898) Easy Acces with lots of parking. Sustainable Features • Hemp and lime render included sand Sustainable Features and clay from the surrounding land • Passive energy strategy • Lamb’s wool insulation • Concrete and ecosem GGBS (by-product of steel industry) • Recycled rubber slates • Solar panels

12 www.inspirationalhomes.ie www.inspirationalhomes.ie 13 LMS07 Gabriel Toolan Offices Yvonne and Eoin LMS11 Architect Colin Bell Deirdre Meagher Architect

These offices are built on the site of Gabriel’s family homes. Colin’s remit was to build an office A renovated 18th century stone & mud cottage with a thatch roof and a very modern timber- in the most ecological way possible and it was found that a concrete and steel structure was the clad extension to the rear. Designed by conservation architect Deirdre, the old cottage has most energy efficient and sustainable way to build an office. A natural ventilation system is used been faithfully restored using traditional building methods and materials (no cement used throughout the offices and helps to create a healthy working environment. A large atrium anywhere in the old cottage) and connects at the back by a corridor to the new eco-friendly dominates the reception and shows off the height of the build and a green car park, a court yard extension. A very clever fusion of old and new in look and feel. Yvonne and Eoin have done and roof gardens make up the original footprint of the building. a lot of the work themselves and are passionate about the use of organic and natural materials.

OPEN Saturday 10th September. Tours only. Tours: 10 - 11am and 11.30 - 12.30pm OPEN Saturday 10th September 11am - 5pm* by Colin Bell. Book online. LOCATION Cooldrumman Beg, 30 mins LOCATION Ballinamore High Street from Carrick-on-Shannon (+54° 05 263 -7° 79 960) (+54° 01 205 -7° 88 123) Easy access. Parking on Access along a long lane. main street. Sustainable Features Sustainable Features • Conservation of old building • Researched best eco way to build an • Use of lime,hemp and thatch office space • Local materials and labour • Green areas to match the footprint of the building • All organic paints • Natural ventilation system *Highlight: Lime and cob expert Terry • Marmoleum (natural/linseed lino) flooring McGrogan will be on hand to answer questions.

14 www.inspirationalhomes.ie www.inspirationalhomes.ie 15 LMS15 The Dock Mike Masterson LMS16 Architect Anne Fletcher of Coady Architects

A unique opportunity to have a guided tour of this building by the architect and to learn about Mike bought this land with a number of buildings on it: a 1970’s bungalow, stone buildings from its renovation and conversion from Courthouse to Arts Centre. Architect Anne Fletcher reports 1900’s and 1930’s and the ruins of a 1700’s clay house. With the aim of restoring a historical site on the huge deterioration of the fabric of the stone and plaster work. Using the right expertise for modern day use. An original Clachan - (collection of houses) he knows that this was once a they were able to deal with this without the use of toxic chemicals. The change of use from a thriving economic centre for the area. As a builder he is gradually renovating them all using courthouse to an arts centre to include a theatre, gallery spaces and studios has been made traditional building materials and methods. One stone building is now used as artists’ studios possible through extensive consultation with theatre and arts groups. www.thedock.ie and accommodation; another is a small museum and occasional session venue. He is now finishing the last piece in the jigsaw - the clay house. It is currently being thatched by Orla O’Neill. OPEN Saturday 10th September 11am - 5pm. Tours: 11am - 12pm and 1 - 2pm Mike has a passion for history and traditional materials used. He brings the use of these by Anne Fletcher. Book online. materials back to life through use and demonstration and will be on hand to talk about all the renovations and the new clay house. LOCATION Carrick-on Shannon town centre OPEN Saturday 10th September (+53° 94 474 -8° 09 780) 11am - 5pm Easy access. Free parking by the river LOCATION Moyne, 25 mins from opposite The Dock. Carrick-on Shannon. (53° 91 854 -7° 63 978) Sustainable Features Easy access and lots of parking. • Conservation of old building • No use of chemicals in the Sustainable Features restoration process • Conservation of old building • Use of all local materials • Use of traditional skills

16 www.inspirationalhomes.ie www.inspirationalhomes.ie 17 LMS17 Dominic Stevens Adventure Centre - Kevin Currid LMS20 Architect Dominic Stevens

Photos by Ros Kavanagh

New self-build. AAI 2011 Award winning ‘house’. The architect’s own home; self- designed and A timber-frame building designed and built by Kevin Currid. The centre originally started self-built this is a project for Dominic whose concerns are the economics of sustainability and 20 years ago with a trailer, then a hut, then a bigger hut and now this purpose built building. rural living. Built for just €25,000, with the help of friends, neighbours and family. A clever use A large open-plan ‘cathedral-like’ space gives the centre its reception, meeting and socialising of alternative materials has kept costs down. Dominic says: “To pay back some of the space. Huge beams form the main structure which is cedar-clad. Flanked by a stream and social debt, I am going to make the plans and building instructions available for free on an overlooking Lough Allen, this is a beautiful spot from which to start an adventure. Visit interactive website so that this knowledge may, as was the case in the vernacular tradition, www.loughallenadventurecentre.ie for more information. be held in common.” A unique opportunity to meet the architect and see his own home. OPEN Saturday 10th September 11am - 5pm OPEN Saturday 10th September 11am - 4pm. Tours on the hour. No booking. LOCATION , 20 mins from LOCATION , 30 mins from Carrick-on Shannon. Carrick-on-Shannon. (+54° 13 015 -8° 01 753) (+53° 94 325 -7° 82 140) Access off main road. Parking Good access. Limited parking limited at centre. Parking at outside the house. Follow signs. lakeside 500m down – follow signs.

Sustainable Features Sustainable Features • Low cost - possible no-mortgage build • Kevin can walk to work • Use of innovative and recycled materials • Local materials • Well insulated • Well insulated - cellulose • Home-built solar system • Wood pellet burner and solar panels • He hopes to incorporate wind, hydro & photo- voltaic electricity generation this year

18 www.inspirationalhomes.ie www.inspirationalhomes.ie 19 Ciara and Gareth LMN01

A ‘home in progress’. A timber-framed cob house being lovingly built by organic gardener Ciara Barrett and Physical Therapist Gareth Phelan. South facing windows and a central wood-burner, coupled with sheep’s wool insulation make this a cosy retreat.

OPEN Sunday 11th September 11am - 5pm. Tours: 12, 2pm and 4pm. Book online.

LOCATION Creevykeel, Cliffoney. 20 mins from . (+54° 43 625 -8° 42 874) Parking at the house next door. Follow signs.

Sustainable Features • Self-build • Solar gain design • Mortgage free • Local materials • Natural materials • Sheep’s wool insulation • Compost toilet • Solar panels • Rain water collection • Reed bed www.inspirationalhomes.ie 21 LMN02 Gareth Phelan Teapot Lane Luxury Camp - Derval McGovern LMN03

A physical therapy studio built by Gareth based on the Peter Cowman econo-space design. A beautifully restored thatch cottage on 5 acres of woodland, this luxury eco retreat also houses Timber-framed, wood-clad studio, perfect for his needs. 3 stunning yurts (luxury hand crafted tents) This is an opportunity to have a look at the camp and its beautiful setting (this includes a fairy fort). Unfortunately the yurts are fully booked so we OPEN Sunday 11th September 11am - 4pm will not be able to look inside. See www.teapotlaneluxurycamp.com for full details.

LOCATION Wardhouse, near , 30 mins from Sligo. OPEN Sunday 11th September (+54° 46 371 -8° 35 196) 11am - 4pm Easy access off main road. Parking outside. LOCATION Tawley, 30 mins from Sligo. (+54° 44 578 -8° 38 746) Access via small lane that leads Sustainable Features to parking. Follow signs. • Small foot print • Post foundations • Local timber Sustainable Features • Low impact holidays: Yurts have no • Cellulose insulation electricity. Lighting is by candle and lamps and heating by a small wood burning stove • Compost toilets • Thatch • Temporary structures – low footprint

22 www.inspirationalhomes.ie www.inspirationalhomes.ie 23 LMN04 Milkwood Farm - Klaus and Joanna The Organic Centre LMN05 Colin Bell Architect

A new build with a beautiful wooden decking and surrounding gardens. Unfortunately the Centre designed to house education rooms, offices, a café and shop. A timber framed structure house will not be open today however the gardens are free to wander around. Klaus is known with a grass roof that allows it to sit beautifully in the Leitrim Landscape. The post and beam for being an Organic gardener, teacher and author of ‘Vegetables for the Irish structure allows for extensions to be added on easily. The conservatory brings passive solar Garden’. This is a unique opportunity to see “the gardener’s” garden and much envied energy into the building. www.theorganiccentre.ie green-house – built from recycled windows. Peaches, grapes and vegetables thrive in OPEN Sunday 11th September 11am - 5pm*. Tour: 2pm by Centre’s manager. this space. www.milkwoodfarm.com Book online www.inspirationalhomes.ie LOCATION Rossinver, 15 mins from Manorhamilton. (+54° 39 249 -8° 11 930). OPEN Sunday 11th September Easy access and ample parking. Garden only 11am - 4pm Sustainable Features LOCATION Tawley, 30 mins from Sligo. • Timber-framed structure & grass roof (+54° 43 096 -8° 37 518) • Local materials Acces via small lane that leads to ample parking at the house. • Extensive organic vegetable gardens • Polytunnels & Orchard Sustainable Features • Flower beds for diversity Growing your own food is the cornerstone • Reed bed system to sustainability and this is what this family does best. They work together on the *Highlight: This is also the Organic Centre’s garden and son Julian breeds rare chickens Flower and Plant sales day see their and sells free-range eggs. website for details. Café open from 11am serving delicious organic food - teas & coffee, the perfect lunch stop.

24 www.inspirationalhomes.ie www.inspirationalhomes.ie 25 LMN07 Manorhamilton North Western Health Board Fiona and Mark LMN10 Architect Eamon McCarney - Taylor Architects LiD Architects - Deirdre McMenamin Architect

A modern building with a striking design that looks out over Manorhamilton and the surrounding Renovated and extended stone cottage with an award winning design (AAI 2010) by LiD area. An amazing contrast of history and modernity with the old fever hospital still standing on Architect’s Deirdre McMenamin. Next to the waterfall ‘Sruthinaghidhanairde’: ‘the stream that the site alongside the modern famine memorial and this very new NWHB offices. Taylor Architects flows upwards’ and overlooking Glencar lake. The house won an award for its amazing won an AAI award for their famine memorial. The structure for the building was quite complicated ‘Landscape Room’ which opens out into the garden. Clever fusion of the old cottage with a especially the conference room as it stands on 3 sloping columns. This is a unique opportunity modern extension. Beautiful and productive gardens. to view the building from inside out. Spectacular views from the conference room. OPEN Sunday 11th September. Tours only. OPEN Sunday 11th September. Tours only. Tours: 10 - 11am and 12 - 1pm and 2 - 3pm by the homeowners and Tours: 12 - 1pm and 2 - 3pm by architect from LiD Architects. Book online. architect Eamon McCarney. Book online. LOCATION Near Glencar Waterfall, 15 mins from Sligo. LOCATION Enniskillen Road, (+54° 34 269 -8° 39 329) Manorhamilton. Some parking at the house. (+54° 30 382 -8° 16 691) Otherwise at Glencar Waterfall Easy access and ample parking. car park - 1 mile away or entrance to Glencar Water in opposite direction 0.5 mile away. Sustainable Features • Renovation of old cottage • Extensive vegetable and flower garden • Pond with ducks • Woodland area with 2 pigs

26 www.inspirationalhomes.ie www.inspirationalhomes.ie 27 LMN11 Síle Mills Tawnylust Lodge - Nuala McNulty LMN12

Beautifully restored country house with a modern extension. Fabulous gardens: cottage A Scan home kit, interior designed and project managed and by Nuala herself. A passive- garden, vegetable garden wildlife pond, green-house, woodlands. Project managed by Síle, house using a heat-recovery system. The wooden-clad exterior means it sits well in the Leitrim this renovation and extension is artistic as well as faithful to local materials and traditional landscape and large windows allow a view over the valley and bring plenty of light into the craftsmenship. See www.blueberrycottages.com for more details. house. A bright and neat self-catering apartment makes up a part of the build. See www.tawnylustlodge.com for more information. OPEN Sunday 11th September 11am - 5pm OPEN Sunday 11th September 12 - 5pm LOCATION Hill House, Monesk, Blacklion, 20 mins from Manorhamilton. (+54° 26 692 -7° 96 251). Easy access and ample parking. LOCATION Tawnylust, 10 mins from Manorhamilton. (+54° 30 710 -8° 10 679) Access up a narrow drive way. Sustainable Features Some parking outside the • Local materials house otherwise on the road. • Lime render • Solar panels Sustainable Features • Wood fired heating • Passive heating • Productive gardens • Small footprint • Wildlife habitat • EU Eco label • Nuala runs ‘Leitrim Landscapes’, which offers guided and specialist walks in the local area

28 www.inspirationalhomes.ie www.inspirationalhomes.ie 29 LMN13 Max and Anna Marie The Old School House - Mike McCann LMN15

Timber house on stilts, still under construction at time of going to press. Designed and built An old school house given a new lease of life and renovated into a four star self-catering by furniture-maker Max. Unusual butterfly roof. Sheep’s wool insulation, heated by a central accommodation with the EU flower. Mike’s aims were to preserve the old building and to fuse wood-burner. See his blog for more information: a modern interior with the old exterior. He undertook on the work himself and saw it as a www.thehousethatmaxbuilt.wordpress.com challenge to see how ‘green’ he could make the building. A sunny extension make makes the building light, warm and spacious. www.theoldschoolhousecavan.com OPEN Sunday 11th September 11am - 5pm OPEN Sunday 10th September 11am - 5pm LOCATION Glenboy, 10 mins from Manorhamilton. (+54° 28 942 -8° 11 820) LOCATION Meenaslieve, . Off the Dowra to Blacklion Road. Access up a good track. 20 mins from Manorhamilton. Some parking - follow signs. (+54° 21 662 -7° 98 096) Easy access & lots of parking. Sustainable Features • Timber frame and cladding Sustainable Features • Solar panels • Sheep’s wool insulation • High levels of insulation • Small footprint • Wood pellet boiler • Solar gain • Rainwater harvesting is used for the • Reed bed toilet flushing • Reed bed • EU Eco label

30 www.inspirationalhomes.ie www.inspirationalhomes.ie 31 LMN16 Charlie Easterfield Rob and Mairéad LMN17 Architect Colin Bell

Build entirely project managed by Charlie herself. Timber framed house on stilts. Home designed Traditional stone cottage renovated and extended using local materials and skills. Lime screed to fit the needs of the artist home-owner. Open-plan and filled with light. Large open space, floors and lime rendered walls inside and out. Beautiful creative spaces thoughout, joinery by highly insulated and easily heated by a central wood-burner. The decking provides keen journeymen/women from Germany giving high quality craftsmanship and level of finish. gardener Charlie space to grow plants close to the shelter of the home, and a viewing point for Living off grid was one of their main aims for living here, all their power needs are met by the rest of the garden which includes amazing borders, a pond, trees and polytunnel. wind and hydro power. Productive gardens and polytunnel.

OPEN Sunday 11th September OPEN Sunday 11th Sept 11am - 5pm 11am - 5pm Tour of Hydro scheme by Rob at 12 and 3pm. Book online. LOCATION Albert’s Lane, 10 mins from Dromahair. LOCATION Bohey, 10 mins from Dromahair. (+54° 26 382 -8° 23 219) (+54° 26 978 -8° 24 498) Access up a long single track Access up a narrow lane. lane. Parking limited. Park on Some parking – follow signs. the road and walk up - 10mins or follow signs. Sustainable Features • Renovation rather than new-build Sustainable Features • Use of lime and hemp • Timber build • Hydro scheme from stream • Wood burning heating • Wind turbine • Productive garden • Polytunnel & vegetable garden • Recycled roof slates • Compost toilet in garden • Use of wood for all heating needs

32 www.inspirationalhomes.ie www.inspirationalhomes.ie 33 LMN18 Pádraig and Eithne Ard Nahoo - Noeleen Tyrell LMN21 Architect Paul Haslette Peter Cowman Architect

A striking modern design, wedge shape house with a ski-slope roof jutting out into the landscape. Eco-retreat, yoga room and family home. A cluster of buildings nestle into the landscape Sedum roof and surrounding planting has now blended this very sharp building into its overlooking Lough Nahoo. Renovated stone cottages and a number of timber-framed buildings at surroundings. Full height windows at the ‘back’ of the house offer light and extensive views, the centre of which is the stunning yoga room designed by Peter Cowman and Noeleen. As an beautiful even on a wet day. Spiral staircase leads from the open-plan downstairs to the office. eco-retreat everything was carefully considered in terms of the environment before it was used. The natural feel of the buildings’ materials adds OPEN Sunday 11th September to the overall ambiance of the retreat. Visit 11am - 5pm. Paul Haslette www.ardnahoo.ie for full details. hopes to be on site to give tours. Please ring OPEN Sunday 11th Sept. Tours only. 087 778 1914 to confirm. Tours: 12 - 1pm and 2 - 3pm by Noeleen. Book online LOCATION Shriff, 5 mins from Dromahair. www.inspirationalhomes.ie (+54° 24 055 -8° 30 815) Easy access - parking at front LOCATION Mullagh, 5 mins from Dromahair. of building. (+54° 24 331 -8° 29 888) Follow Ard Nahoo signage. Sustainable Features • A green roof planted with sedum Sustainable Features • A productive polytunnel and trees • Irish timber framed and Cedar cladding • Solar gain • Hemp insulated • Heated with pellet stoves • Finished with natural paints • Powered by Airtricity

34 www.inspirationalhomes.ie www.inspirationalhomes.ie 35 LMN24 Seán and Bríd Aggie Flanagan LMN26

A family-designed extension to the original house with the help of Peter Cowman’s living Passive house, designed by Aggie with the Scan Homes Architect this home meets all her architecture course. A further extension gives a conservatory which is a productive growing criteria of light, spaciousness and is easy to heat. Planned as a home for life with inter- area and an outside space with hot tub and seats is a work in progress. They are passionate changeble rooms and a flexible layout. From the spacious open plan kitchen to a snug about properly managing their land and have planted several acres of trees around them with living room it suits all her needs. Project managed entirely by Aggie this was a huge learning managed paths for walks. An observatory is also a work in progress. curve for her, but one that paid of in terms of satisfaction and sense of pride.

OPEN Sunday 11th September 11am - 5pm* OPEN Sunday 11th September 11am - 5pm LOCATION Kilargue, 15 mins from Dromahair. (+54° 22 730 -8° 23 056) LOCATION Edergole, 2 mins Easy access - some parking. from Dromahair (+54° 21 413 -8° 29 233) Access via single lane off Sustainable Features main road leads to small • Semi passive - really wanted a wood parking area. Follow signs. burner and so had to have a hole in the ceiling for the chimney which means it cannot be completely passive Sustainable Features • Solar panels for water • Geo-thermal heating • Hemp lime render • Conservatory on south side • Productive garden

*Highlight: Slideshow of work in progress at 12 and 3pm.

36 www.inspirationalhomes.ie www.inspirationalhomes.ie 37 LMN27 Antony and Soraya Johnny Gogan LMN28 Peter Cowman Architect

Home to thatcher Antony and designer Soraya, this cottage was partly dismantled to be Film maker’s studio built himself following Peter Cowman’s econospace format. Perfect space rebuilt and extended. A small extension to the rear gives a light kitchen whilst the cottage for a quiet working environment separate from the home. Johnny can give you an insight into holds the original cosy living room and bed rooms. Antony did a lot of the work himself the work involved in building this studio and an idea of costs. including the thatch. He will have photographic display of the building journey which will give an insight into the work involved in a renovation. OPEN Sunday 11th September 11am - 5pm* OPEN Sunday 11th September 11am - 5pm* LOCATION Kilargue, 15 mins from Dromahair. (+54° 22 730 -8° 23 056) LOCATION Killenummery, 5 mins Access via lane, leading to limited parking. Follow signs. from Dromahair. (+54° 20 357 -8° 30 188) Access via small road leading Sustainable Features to the house. Park outside or • Renovation of old building at Ballinagar Church. • Thatch • Lime render Sustainable Features • Hemp walls *Highlight: Two other thatchers will be on site giving demos and talking about • Low carbon-footprint thatching, growing crops for thatching. • Economic build There will also be a photo display of the • Reclaimed materials renovation process. *Highlight: Slideshow of build process and documentary made for RTE by Johnny about Peter Cowman.

38 www.inspirationalhomes.ie www.inspirationalhomes.ie 39 LMN29 Mike and Jo Frank Clinton LMN30 Architect Colin Bell Ghislain Luthers Architect

Self build. Traditional cottage with straw bale extension. 100 year old stone cottage, renovated Unusual modern design which fits well into the farming landscape through the barn style curved- and extended by Mike. Straw bale extension with a timber frame leads from the old cottage roof. The timber on the outside also blends with the countryside. Inside a very modern design to an open plan kitchen and living room. Large windows face southwards for maximum solar and high spec finish throughout. Ghislain's exacting standards mean that the skill of the gain. A green roof on the extension planted with wild flower seeds. Lime render throughout. workmen is apparent throughout from the handcrafted stairs to the polished plaster.

OPEN Sunday 11th September 11am - 5pm*. Tours: 2pm and 4pm. No booking. OPEN Sunday 11th September LOCATION Edergole, 5 mins from Dromahair. (+54° 21 504 -8° 31 368). 11am - 5pm. Tour: 12 and 2pm Access up small lane - 400m - to parking at house. For alternative parking by architect. Book online. follow signs and walk up lane (10 mins). LOCATION Killenummery, 5 mins from Dromahair. Sustainable Features (+54° 20 728 -8° 29 467) • Straw bale build Access off a small road. • Green roof Very limited parking please • Local materials follow signs. • Lime render • Wood burner heating Sustainable Features • Compost toilet • Minimal impact on the land • Productive garden • A horticultural report on the site was undertaken • Solar gain through windows *Lime plasterer Gerry Fox will be on hand to answer questions about lime rendering.

40 www.inspirationalhomes.ie www.inspirationalhomes.ie 41 LMN31 Michaela and John Eamonn and Margaret LMN32 Architect Thomas Flynn Terrance Cosgrove Architect

Renovated and extended house. The house has been renovated and joined to an existing New build. Designed by the architect for his parents this new build fits the brief he was given of barn in a creative way. The two spaces have been bought together whilst at the same time large bright spaces, inside-outside link and a traditional appearance. The old building was keeping their individuality: the old barn is the adult, quiet space - whereas the house has been knocked down and most of the stone, timber and brick has been recycled in some way into made bright and open with a fluid changeable space for the family. John is an engineer and did the new house. Information sheet will be available on the day. all of the work himself including installing his own geothermal heat pump. OPEN Sunday 11th September OPEN Sunday 11th September 11am - 5pm. Architect on hand 11am - 5pm. Thomas Flynn to answer questions. on hand to give tours and answer questions. LOCATION Killenummery, 5 mins from Dromahair. LOCATION 10 mins from Dromahair. (+54° 20 186 -8° 30 755) (+54° 19 438 -8° 30 695) Easy access - lots of parking. Access up a small lane. Ample parking at the house. Sustainable Features • High levels of insulation Sustainable Features • Recycled materials • Geothermal heating • Heat recovery ventilation system • Renovation of old barn • High level of air tightness • Re-use of old stone • Geo thermal heat pump with horizontal ground loop • Triple glazing

42 www.inspirationalhomes.ie www.inspirationalhomes.ie 43 LMN34 Leitrim Sculpture Centre Architect Colin Bell

The Leitrim Sculpture Centre was established in 1997 in Manorhamilton to facilitate the training and professional needs of artists across the North West. The objective was to provide a high quality working facility for practising artists in traditional and contemporary sculpture techniques. Refurbishment of the centre happened in 2006-2008. Colin Bell undertook the design which included the new heat recovery system. www.leitrimsculpturecentre.ie

OPEN Sunday 11th September 11am - 5pm. See ‘Exhibition’ page for full details. LOCATION New Line, Manorhamilton (+54° 30 555 -8° 17 597). Access via main road. On street parking.

44 www.inspirationalhomes.ie