Mary McPartland
LMN25
INSPIRATION
Always wanted a cottage like the one she remembers from her childhood. Bought the property and couldn’t have considered getting rid of the house…it was like a living thing to her. She wanted to ‘rescue’ it and bring it back to its former lived–in self.
Applied for the Lá Nua project, was accepted after someone else dropped out. Was happy to do the work in an eco-way along with the guide-lines of the project. She was undertaking this project on her own so was hoping for support from the Lá Nua project.
The project ended up costing a lot more than she expected and took so much longer; she really needs someone to rent it now for the winter to pay the mortgage.
There were a lot of problems and she had to sort them out herself. Didn’t get the support she needed. Was stuck trying to do something new/experimental ie: new enviro- technologies on an old cottage without the required experience/knowledge or experienced workers.
When it is all finished she knows she will feels proud of what she has achieved. Though it has been a long struggle.
TYPE OF HOUSE
Renovated stone cottage with a small extension on the back for a kitchen and bathroom.
POINT OF INTEREST
Project managed by Lá Nua then she was left on her own and had to finish it off herself. A lot of hrad work and a lot more money than she had anticipated.
ECO ELEMENTS
The criteria of the Lá Nua project was to be as environmentally sound as possible:
CREATIVE ELEMENTS
Mary was keen to retain the heritage that was within this cottage. The cottage vernacular holds lots of happy memories for her and she wanted this cottage to have and keep that essence for her.
ARCHITECT/DESIGN BY
La Nua's – Francis Davitt
BUILDER
Antony Feeney
MATERIALS
| Foundations | Original |
| Walls | original stone plus new lime render/ also: sawdust and mud render. |
| Outside | lime and sand render fell off so now rendered with cement |
| Roof | recycled rubber tyre slates |
| Insulation | damp-proofing and sheep’s wool |
HEAT SOURCE
Wood pellet boiler
WATER SOURCE
Mains
WASTE
Biodigester
GARDEN
Still being worked on
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
Time scale, so much longer than anticipated: 2004-2011
Anything you would have done differently? Wouldn’t do it again. Because it was run by La Nua, she wasn’t in charge so was very frustrating. If she had been in charge and with benifit of hindsight sh would have gotten more advice and expert help.
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