Frank and Mary Mulvey
LMS05
INSPIRATION
This cottage has been in Frank Mulvey's family for six generations. It holds many memories for him and for the rest of his family who visit regularly from around the world. He has a family tree published which he keeps in the cottage; this traces his family back over the years that they would have been living here.
TYPE OF HOUSE
Renovated 150 year old cottage. In Frank’s family for 6 generations.
POINT OF INTEREST
This cottage is now available to rent as a holiday home. Near a small river and overlooking the Leitrim hills it is a beautiful spot to be.
ECO ELEMENTS
Restored in an environmentally sensitive way as possible:
Hemp and lime render included sand and clay from the surrounding land.
Lamb’s wool insulation
Recycled rubber slates
Solar panels
CREATIVE ELEMENTS
The fact that it has a long history and is a home full of memories. Frank remembers summers spent in this home of his grandparents and how many children would be bedded down in the small three rooms. Now the three bedroomed and ensuite facilities sleep 6 very comfortably; highlighting the changing times in the history of Irish homes.
ARCHITECT/DESIGN BY
La Nua appointed Donnelly
BUILDER
Self and family and local guys. Terry McGrogan advised on the lime.Plasterers €6,000 to plaster with lime in and out.
MATERIALS
Traditional and eco-materials as dictated by the La Nua project.
Advised to use Heraclik board and lime on the exterior walls. However the plaster never dried out then the frost cracked the board. The plasterers had the idea to add wood chip to help the lime to stick, however, because it was winter the conditions meant the wood chip froze then expanded and cracked. Had to start again. Let the board dry out then rendered it with lime and sand. Satisfacory now. Some areas still need attention.
Timber frame and latted, probably excessive……would use less timber if they did it again.
Recycled tyre slates doing well.
HEAT SOURCE
Tried a wood pellet boiler, got frustrated with it mal-functioning. Converted to oil.
WATER SOURCE
Mains
WASTE
Treatment centre
GARDEN
Decking. Holiday home thus no garden that needs to be maintained.
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
Time: It took 13 months to complete with pretty much continuous work and a few problems.
Cost: €45,000 of their own money and €50,000 grant money.
Satisfaction Rating: Very happy with the results. Want people to rent it but do not have the marketing sorted out. Maybe hope to retire there.
