From whole room renovations to outdoor construction projects, the show’s DIY-ers test their mettle for the chance to win the grand prize of €10,000. The competition is fierce, but only one can be crowned Ireland’s Best DIY-er. Providing tips and advice for the viewers (and a critical eye on the projects) are two judges, TU Dublin Lecturer in Construction, Jennifer Byrne, and representing Woodie’s DIY, power tool aficionado Michal Dachowski. These two will have the tough decision of choosing a winner and awarding the cash prize as well as additional prizes for Best Small Job, Best Inside Job, Best Outside Job, Best Upcycle, and of course, the Best DIY Fail.
Presenter PJ Gallagher said: “I can wire a plug but generally I’ve always had ornamental hands and only dream of one day making something useful… like a breadboard. I’m really looking forward to meeting my fellow DIY fans around the country and even more so I’m hoping to see some really original projects… and even some epic fails! A friend of mine is building a hen house in the shape of the GPO, I’d love to see something cool like that win.”
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Contestants
DIY-er: Paul Murphy (54), Dublin
Occupation: Part-Time Antique Restorer
Paul Murphy is an antique dealer, his background however is sales and management. DIY has always been something that he has loved, having taken on various projects around his house, including building a drying room in the garden for drying clothes, and building a garden shed. Some of his antique projects include restoring cinema seats from the Stella Cinema in Rathmines as part of the Antiques Restoration competition for the Late Late Show. Antiques restoration has become a passion for him so much so that he now works part-time in an antique shop on Francis Street.
DIY-er: Ronnie Moore (50), Waterford
Occupation: In college studying business
Ronnie used to work as a recruiter for people with disabilities, but has gone back to college to study business with the hopes of taking her new-found love for upcycling to the next level. She regularly upcycles pieces for people and puts call outs on Facebook looking for old unwanted furniture that she can get her hands on. Ronnie does DIY/Art courses to improve her crafty skills and plans to use some of what she has learned in these for The Big DIY Challenge as her proposed project is to upcycle a 50s larder press.
DIY-er: Rachael Coates (36), Cavan
Occupation: Sales Software Engineer
Originally from Dublin, Rachael has been living in Cavan for the past 5 years, having bought her current house with her partner Gerard 2 years ago. Rachael is a self-taught DIYer, having taken on to change the aesthetic of their house as soon as they moved in. Having learned a lot of her skills from YouTube, she is confident in her ability to take on any DIY challenge. Just check out the princess castle bunk-bed she built for their daughters and you’d well believe her!
DIY-er: Matthew Reed (43), Wexford
Occupation: Multi Skilled Technician
Originally from Cape Cod in the USA, Matthew moved to Ireland 11 years ago where he and his wife, Ruth, have been living in their current house for the last 4 years. Born into a big DIY family, Matt has continued the family tradition of DIY in their current home by doing every DIY project imaginable, including the fab treehouse space out their back garden. Matt confesses he is a workaholic and doesn’t like to leave projects unfinished.
DIY-er: Arianna Persechini (23), Meath
Occupation: Childminder
Arianna works as a childminder for her aunt and is one of our youngest contestants in The Big DIY Challenge. Having studied Product Design at NCAD, she isn’t afraid to bring some creative flair to her DIY projects and hopes that by pushing the boat out with her design, she’ll be able to reel in that €10,0000 prize.
DIY-er: Alex Daly (18), Walkinstown, Dublin
Occupation: Student
With several small projects under his belt, including a log store for the back garden, student Alex hopes to step it up to the next level, win the grand prize, and finally move off the Eurosavers menu. Alex considers himself to have above average DIY ability, but he’ll have to prove to the judges that he has the know-how to execute his plans despite his youthful appearance.
DIY-er: Ron Crolly (51), Kildare
Occupation: Electrician
Ron is a busy electrician with three livewire kids that always keep him on the hop. With summer on its way, he knows that it’s high-time he ripped up the old deck he put down 14 years ago and finally create that lovely outdoor space that the family have always dreamed of, one that he doesn’t have to repaint every year!