EPISODE TWO – RAHENY
Having lived in the house for eight years with their three young children, the couple are ready to future-proof their home through a full retrofit and a bold re-imagining of their living spaces.
Proud Kerry native Norita is a keen gardener, and together with her husband Louis, the outdoors-loving family cherish their sunny, south-facing garden.
Enter Dermot who plans to modernise the house and open up the rear to better connect with the garden, with a pavilion style extension.
With a budget of €275,000, the O’Donoghue’s are embarking on a build and design journey – one that brings the outdoors in!
But as always, the budget is tested. With leaky roofs and a big wish list, Dermot and QS Claire Irwin must navigate unexpected costs and design compromises – proving that a home renovation is never straightforward, but the results are worth it…
Series overview:
Architect Dermot Bannon is back, bringing his signature vision to a diverse range of properties, while quantity surveyor Claire Irwin keeps the numbers in check with budgets ranging from €200,000 to €350,000. With building costs on the rise, Dermot, Claire and the homeowners juggle growing pressures, tough choices – and the occasional headache – as they fight to keep their dreams on track.
This season explores homes of every scale and condition, as families take on the challenge of downsizing, upsizing, and right-sizing for their next chapter!
FOUR HOMES. FOUR FAMILIES. FOUR VERY DIFFERENT CHALLENGES:
From untouched time capsules to clever urban redesigns, the new series showcases: a 1990s three-bed semi-detached home in West Dublin, a quintessential “bungalow bliss” home in Co. Meath, a spacious four-bed family home in Raheny in need of major reimagining and a compact ex-council terraced house with big ambition in Harmonstown.
With budgets spanning €200k – €350k, Claire Irwin once again brings structure, clarity, and cost control to each project, ensuring dreams stay grounded in financial reality.
As always, Dermot’s designs push boundaries – sparking debates, compromises, and the occasional surprise – but ultimately delivering homes tailored to each family’s needs and future plans.
Room to Improve is proudly sponsored by Electric Ireland.
