I"ve read some negative comments about non-nationals availing of the grant scheme. First of all I acknowledge you won't be doing so, however, I don't care who does or doesn't. I think it's one of the best initiatives of the Irish Govt. to bring life back to these derelict cottages which are part of our heritage. I am personally delighted to see people respect these places and want to preserve them. I always imagine the ancestors who must have loved them also smiling down. Good luck, ignore the naysers, including the planners, you will always find plenty who align with your vision.
Oh that’s a lovely comment and I’ve just read it out to Lisa. That’s how I think as well - if they been empty for 50 odd years then it’s better someone saves it than not. In our case, some of the lintels had failed and the walls are leaning and so it wouldn’t have lasted much longer before falling down. At least it’s now propped and safe waiting for renovation. And once finished can be lived in again for generations!
Negative comments from people who never had a notion of restoring a cottage themselves. It’s a great scheme and it is helping bring back life to remote areas and increase the national housing stock with houses that fit perfectly into the environment. Win/win as far as I’m concerned.
i wish you both the very best of luck 🍀 that keep laughing & smiling attitude will get you through the nxt how many years, lovely big space for the 🐶🐶🐶🐈 to run around looking forward to the vlogs 🍀🍀🍀
Honestly, will cost a bomb. There's a reason why 95% of all previously thatched houses now have tin or slate roofs. There are probably only 3 fellas left in Ireland that do thatching. Ex Mayo resident. Enjoying watching your progress. I know a structured engineer and an amazing builder near Ballinrobe. ☘️🇮🇪
Yeah we are actually going with a red oxide tin roof …. Mainly because it’s hard to find people as you say, and also because we want a wood burner (and that’s not recommended with thatch)
Hi....Your video is bringing back bad memories of our dealings with Irish planning...Very negative architect's....builders...planning department..structural engineer......ecology reports..etc...Just keep your eyes on the prize from an English self builder at the top end of Lough Derg Co Galway....Good Luck ❤
That was on a par with Eastenders but better! Btw thats from hearsay!!! I've got every confidence that both of you are going to work some majic on your dream home and land, can't wait for the next video
Loving your positive energy and looking forward to seeing your journey. We are starting our journey at the end of 2025. Watching avidly to see what you are having to navigate. ❤
Holy cow, that was a twist! Well, keep your boxes packed because something better is about to be offered to you. I don't know what but trust me, it is. See you next vid. Love the dogs, old kitty and your tenacity.
Hehe thank you! Yeah it was - there’s plenty more twists and turns before it gets up to present day. But also lots of exciting times actually in Ireland! Thanks for watching!
Really enjoying your videos I'm so glad you both have a great sense of humour You will find that dealing with irish architects planners builders solicitors will have you in stitches constantly Being irish i can tell you this with certainty What you think is a simple request/plan does not compute with these agencies So dig in and be prepared to laugh hysterically Good luck
Hiya to both of you. We moved to a cottage near Carracastle Co. Mayo just short of 3 years ago. Our cottage had been empty over 10 years but not derelict. We had to replace our septic tank system and we were eligible for a grant which covered up to 12K of the costs. But only certain areas qualify definitely worth checking it out though. There are a number of hoops you have to jump through and you pay the initial cost upfront then claim it back through the council which took nearly 2 years. We love living in Co. Mayo but be prepared every thing takes more time to get sorted than you would think, just getting quotes for the things you can't do yourself takes for ever and there is a shortage of trades people too. If you are going to be near Charlestown, Co. Mayo and need any trade contacts we would be happy to give you details of the people we have used. Good luck with your venture .
Ah Charlestown is a lovely place, we’ve passed a few times. Thanks so much for the offer of help 🙂 we are going to try and keep paperwork to the minimum!
Key and window story made me laugh! I like you guys alot! Welcome to Ireland! Im renovating a small labourer's cottage in the midlands... laois.. as of around q4 days ago! Exciting, dusty, scary and bonkers!
I missed the drop of the video 🤦🏼♀️ However, just enjoyed your catchup with a cuppa. I love your honest storytelling and enlightening me on the ‘correct’ way to approach things (I’m on your team with how I would’ve approached it all). As you know, I’m dealing with the loss of dad and all the procedures involved there so it’s lovely to see you’re infectious enthusiasm and laughter and above all I see my future in your adventures. Your positive videos are reminding me that my future is bright and to keep me motivated Thank you ❤️ Meanwhile, It’s freezing down ere in Cornwall, snow! plugging on with the van conversion has stalled again 🙄 but my rule is just to make sure I achieve something everyday in the van, the garden and the house! Can’t wait four your next instalment!
Yeah the paperwork doesn’t help when you are dealing with a loss. And such a hard time of year. We are thinking of you. The van sounds exciting! Have you plans for where you want to go?
I’m not sure what it’s like now but people who own thatched houses have had serious issues with insurance. To the extent that some people had no house insurance. A Swedish couple in the midlands (Irish midlands) couldn’t get insurance and their house burned down. They moved back to Sweden. Not sure if they ever got back to their house.
Oh I heard that - so terrible! That’s the fear and so we are going with a red tin roof I think - means we can have a wood burner as well (as they recommend open fires with thatch as the smoke is a cooler temp when exiting the chimney)
We’ve still a lot of catch up videos to do to bring everyone up to present day - there’s plenty of more hoops to come! Plenty! But we are getting there and will never give up!
My car was running, keys in ignition. And it locked itself. It’s a v6 lol 2 hours later (all my petrol) we got a locksmith to come out 🤣🤣🤣 lesson learned. Always leave window open if you get out of car
It’s easier to get planning on a derelict property than on a greenfield site but it doesn’t mean you don’t need to apply for it. Usually. But planning departments are notoriously capricious. They have a lot of power and not much oversight and there are some horror stories. But in fairness, there are good and helpful planners too but it’s like Russian roulette.
Yeah we’ve heard some horror stories alright. To be fair to MayoCoCo, they’ve been very good! I heard that Galway and Sligo aren’t as favourable when it comes to restoring old cottages - not sure if it’s true though!
Bugga the sale fell through 😢 I’m thinking it sold seeing the water colour at the end 😊 I have a question for you though, do you have to apply for an Irish residency or a special visa of some sort? I’m watching a few Irish homesteaders at the moment and it keeps crossing my mind
We bought the Irish cottage already (see the first video). It’s the Cornwall house sale that fell through! UK and Irish nationals can live and work in each others country’s without visas….there’s a specific treaty that was agreed and that predates the EU
Hello i’m following your process with interest as we’re doing the same albeit a year behind you and just starting out in the process! Can i ask about the planning permission you now know needed . My understanding is that there are planning permission exemptions in place for many Renovations and that as long as you do not alter the external appearance of the house significantly or if the building is protected or the renovations affect the structure somehow, planning permission should not be required I also understand that one can extend up to 40 square metres without permission too.. Can you clarify why you need permission as i’m now worrying we’ve missed something! ?
You do not need planning permission if you are not changing the house externally also one can add an extension to the rear of the house up to I think 50square meters.You do need planning permission for a septic system . I know about this as my daughter has recently been through the process.You would have been better off just going ahead and renovate without planning.Then apply for your planning for septic system
So we can only say what we were told, and there may be differences between councils… we were told that a derelict building needs planning to be lived in again, as it’s original residential planning status lapses when it becomes derelict. You also need it for a waste system. You can build 40 sqm to the rear of a property without planning, but that assumes that the main building has permission to be lived in. But I know there’s a huge amount of differences in opinions. Best bet is to call your local planning department. We found ours really helpful. Best of luck with it! 🙂
Are you in receipt of any Irish tax payers welfare to fund your project? because right now unlikely you contribute more than zero to Ireland but on the take of Irish tax payers grants. Non nationals who think the Grants intended to alleviate a record number of homeless Irish people was FREE MONEY meant for them. Irish tax payers subsidizing non non nationals dreams. In light of record homeless in Ireland it is a perverse scam that any non nationals are subsidized in any way.
Don’t worry, we are not getting the grant. We are doing the renovation ourselves and it will take 3-4 years, which isn’t suitable for the grant (which has to be completed in 13 months). So no need to worry - we are self employed and will be paying into the system rather than taking 🙂
The point of the grant is to get abandoned houses brought back into use. It doesn’t matter who is willing to do the work. Also, if the grant is being used it will not pay for the entire project. The grant will help but it will not get anywhere close to paying for the work.
Hi....Your video is bringing back lots of bad memories of the planning process in Ireland....Constant negativity from achitects..structural engineers..builders..planning departments..ecology departments etc...Just keep your eyes on the prize from an English self builder at the top end of Lough Derg Co Galway....
I am Irish born and bred. We Irish have the opportunity to buy those sad looking poor derelict cottages the same as anyone else if we wish to...plenty of them to go around that's for sure. I like to see couples taking them on and saving them. Giving them a new story, new history. It's not an easy journey these people take on..its tough work. Fair play to them. To the couple...ye have to jump through hoops to get planning, etc, sorted. Its the rules of the country so important they are followed and yer doing great. Nothing worthwhile is easy but it will be worth it in the end. If we Irish were saving derelict buildings in UK we would have the same struggles in an unfamiliar planning system. Sorry to hear the sale of yer house fell through. It's just another hurdle...ye will get another buyer and a better price. Looking forward to follow yer hard work ahead. Stay positive..keep smiling.
I"ve read some negative comments about non-nationals availing of the grant scheme. First of all I acknowledge you won't be doing so, however, I don't care who does or doesn't. I think it's one of the best initiatives of the Irish Govt. to bring life back to these derelict cottages which are part of our heritage. I am personally delighted to see people respect these places and want to preserve them. I always imagine the ancestors who must have loved them also smiling down. Good luck, ignore the naysers, including the planners, you will always find plenty who align with your vision.
Oh that’s a lovely comment and I’ve just read it out to Lisa. That’s how I think as well - if they been empty for 50 odd years then it’s better someone saves it than not. In our case, some of the lintels had failed and the walls are leaning and so it wouldn’t have lasted much longer before falling down. At least it’s now propped and safe waiting for renovation. And once finished can be lived in again for generations!
Negative comments from people who never had a notion of restoring a cottage themselves. It’s a great scheme and it is helping bring back life to remote areas and increase the national housing stock with houses that fit perfectly into the environment. Win/win as far as I’m concerned.
. Hi if yiur looking for house to renovate I know of few in ballybunion county kerry ireland better than that one so contact me
i wish you both the very best of luck 🍀 that keep laughing & smiling attitude will get you through the nxt how many years, lovely big space for the 🐶🐶🐶🐈 to run around looking forward to the vlogs 🍀🍀🍀
Yeah they are going to absolutely love it! Thanks so much 🙂
Omg feel sorry for you obe thing after another fingers crossed for you im sure will work out in end
Welcome to county Mayo.. and looking forward to seeing how you get on 💚
Thanks so much! More videos coming soon!
Honestly, will cost a bomb. There's a reason why 95% of all previously thatched houses now have tin or slate roofs. There are probably only 3 fellas left in Ireland that do thatching. Ex Mayo resident. Enjoying watching your progress. I know a structured engineer and an amazing builder near Ballinrobe. ☘️🇮🇪
Yeah we are actually going with a red oxide tin roof …. Mainly because it’s hard to find people as you say, and also because we want a wood burner (and that’s not recommended with thatch)
Better to laugh than cry! So excited to hear the rest of the story!
Hehe it certainly is! Lots more to come!
Hi....Your video is bringing back bad memories of our dealings with Irish planning...Very negative architect's....builders...planning department..structural engineer......ecology reports..etc...Just keep your eyes on the prize from an English self builder at the top end of Lough Derg Co Galway....Good Luck ❤
Oh no, sorry about that! Yeah it’s quite an ordeal and very stressful at times! Glad you got through it!
Very likeable couple.....welcome to Eire💚
Thanks so much!
Eire? Excuse me?
That was on a par with Eastenders but better! Btw thats from hearsay!!! I've got every confidence that both of you are going to work some majic on your dream home and land, can't wait for the next video
Hehe, maybe we can introduce the music next time! Glad you enjoyed it!
I am enjoying every twist and turn of your journey.
Such a lovely couple x
As that’s such a lovely comment to read, and so happy you are enjoying it! Next episode we throw caution to the wind!
Hola from Spain. Great video, such fun to watch you two, even enjoying being left in suspense 😂. ❤️
Hola! The videos will get more interesting going forward!
Oh no not a cliff hanger. Love the landscape picture at the end.
It’s amazing isn’t it! We will put the details up on the next video for the lady who did it. You send her a photo and she will paint it!
You're too adorable together. I wish you so much luck, and can't wait to see more.
Thank you so much! 😄
You’re a joy ❤ can’t wait to hear how everything unfolds for you, but wishing you both lots of happiness in your new adventures together in Ireland
Aw thank you so much, that’s lovely 😀
Loving your positive energy and looking forward to seeing your journey. We are starting our journey at the end of 2025. Watching avidly to see what you are having to navigate. ❤
Thank you! Oh that’s exciting - are you buying a derelict cottage as well?
Already your channel is topping others for entertainment😊 and suspense 😅 looking forward to following you both, Irish cottage owner east Galway 😊🇮🇪💚
Hehe thank you! You’ve got to try and have fun whatever is going on. I bet your cottage is a little better state than ours!
Holy cow, that was a twist! Well, keep your boxes packed because something better is about to be offered to you. I don't know what but trust me, it is. See you next vid. Love the dogs, old kitty and your tenacity.
Hehe thank you! Yeah it was - there’s plenty more twists and turns before it gets up to present day. But also lots of exciting times actually in Ireland! Thanks for watching!
A proper roller coaster of a ride for you then, here's hoping the next offer comes soon and goes through to completion without issue. x
Hi Ellen!
It’s definitely been a rollercoaster! On the next catch up we through caution to the wind!
Love the laughs. Water colour final shot...stunning! Congrats to the artist.❤
Lisa had it painted from a photo of our site - amazing artist!
Really enjoying your videos I'm so glad you both have a great sense of humour You will find that dealing with irish architects planners builders solicitors will have you in stitches constantly Being irish i can tell you this with certainty What you think is a simple request/plan does not compute with these agencies So dig in and be prepared to laugh hysterically Good luck
Hehe oh dear! Hope the sense of humour holds out in that case!
You 2 are comedy gold you need your own to show good luck with your renovations looking forward to watching your progress
Haha, will maybe see if the RUclips channel gets much interest first!
Most amusant renovation series sofar!!😀❤️💫
Haha, not sure whether to take that as a complement or not!! 😄
Hiya to both of you. We moved to a cottage near Carracastle Co. Mayo just short of 3 years ago. Our cottage had been empty over 10 years but not derelict. We had to replace our septic tank system and we were eligible for a grant which covered up to 12K of the costs. But only certain areas qualify definitely worth checking it out though. There are a number of hoops you have to jump through and you pay the initial cost upfront then claim it back through the council which took nearly 2 years. We love living in Co. Mayo but be prepared every thing takes more time to get sorted than you would think, just getting quotes for the things you can't do yourself takes for ever and there is a shortage of trades people too. If you are going to be near Charlestown, Co. Mayo and need any trade contacts we would be happy to give you details of the people we have used. Good luck with your venture .
Ah Charlestown is a lovely place, we’ve passed a few times. Thanks so much for the offer of help 🙂 we are going to try and keep paperwork to the minimum!
Key and window story made me laugh! I like you guys alot! Welcome to Ireland! Im renovating a small labourer's cottage in the midlands... laois.. as of around q4 days ago! Exciting, dusty, scary and bonkers!
Oh wow! Best of luck with your renovations! We can’t wait to start ours!
I missed the drop of the video 🤦🏼♀️ However, just enjoyed your catchup with a cuppa. I love your honest storytelling and enlightening me on the ‘correct’ way to approach things (I’m on your team with how I would’ve approached it all). As you know, I’m dealing with the loss of dad and all the procedures involved there so it’s lovely to see you’re infectious enthusiasm and laughter and above all I see my future in your adventures. Your positive videos are reminding me that my future is bright and to keep me motivated Thank you ❤️
Meanwhile, It’s freezing down ere in Cornwall, snow! plugging on with the van conversion has stalled again 🙄 but my rule is just to make sure I achieve something everyday in the van, the garden and the house!
Can’t wait four your next instalment!
Yeah the paperwork doesn’t help when you are dealing with a loss. And such a hard time of year. We are thinking of you.
The van sounds exciting! Have you plans for where you want to go?
Make sure to put in for the derelict property grant!
It’s not suitable to us as it’s going to take us 3-4 years and the grant has a strict time limit!
I am thoroughly loving this channel. You two are the best. A cottage reno channel and so far I’m just cracking up with these catch up videos😂😂😂😂
So glad you are enjoying them! The next couple videos should be particularly good!
It will all work out! Stay positive! 😀😀
It will!!!
Can’t wait to see the next chapter! Greetings from Vancouver Canada
Will have that in within the next week hopefully! Bet it’s beautiful in Vancouver at this time of year!
Oh no! So frustrating. I'm sure it was worth it in the end.
It’s amazing isn’t it! We will put a link up at the end to the lady that does them. You send a photograph and she paints it!
Loving the channel guys. I hope you have a lot of success in your project in 2025
Thank you! 😀
'You might get a reputation', she says. Pretty sure you already own that reputation lol! Cliff-hanger for the win!
Hahaha cheeky!
Oh shit the bed...dam.x
Hahahaha! 😄
❤
I’m not sure what it’s like now but people who own thatched houses have had serious issues with insurance. To the extent that some people had no house insurance. A Swedish couple in the midlands (Irish midlands) couldn’t get insurance and their house burned down. They moved back to Sweden. Not sure if they ever got back to their house.
Oh I heard that - so terrible! That’s the fear and so we are going with a red tin roof I think - means we can have a wood burner as well (as they recommend open fires with thatch as the smoke is a cooler temp when exiting the chimney)
If you are applying for the derelict-house-in-ruins house grant, they will help you. Get in touch with Sam and Be ks at The Irish Homestead.
Yeah they are great aren’t they! The grant doesn’t work for us as we couldn’t make the 13 month deadline. It’s probably going to take us 3-4 years!
Wow what a lot of hoops to jump through were you ever ready to give up?
We’ve still a lot of catch up videos to do to bring everyone up to present day - there’s plenty of more hoops to come! Plenty! But we are getting there and will never give up!
He knows the craic l😂😂you're picking up Irish phrases 😂
Haha we are trying! Lisa tends to pick up local accents really easily and so she will sound like a local in no time!
Sale fell through on Cornwall Property?
Yes that’s right - if you know anyone who wants a house in Cornwall - sea views and way below the average house price!
My car was running, keys in ignition. And it locked itself. It’s a v6 lol 2 hours later (all my petrol) we got a locksmith to come out 🤣🤣🤣 lesson learned. Always leave window open if you get out of car
Hehe oh no! Why do they design them like that?!
😮
😀
😢❤❤❤
Don’t worry - it gets better! Watch out for the next episode! 🙂
I hope you put in for the derelict house grant
It’s not suitable for us, which is a relief given the paperwork!
I build new build. THEN make shed out old dewelling
But the history!!
It’s easier to get planning on a derelict property than on a greenfield site but it doesn’t mean you don’t need to apply for it. Usually. But planning departments are notoriously capricious. They have a lot of power and not much oversight and there are some horror stories. But in fairness, there are good and helpful planners too but it’s like Russian roulette.
Yeah we’ve heard some horror stories alright. To be fair to MayoCoCo, they’ve been very good! I heard that Galway and Sligo aren’t as favourable when it comes to restoring old cottages - not sure if it’s true though!
Bugga the sale fell through 😢 I’m thinking it sold seeing the water colour at the end 😊 I have a question for you though, do you have to apply for an Irish residency or a special visa of some sort? I’m watching a few Irish homesteaders at the moment and it keeps crossing my mind
We bought the Irish cottage already (see the first video). It’s the Cornwall house sale that fell through!
UK and Irish nationals can live and work in each others country’s without visas….there’s a specific treaty that was agreed and that predates the EU
Is it possible you will make a print of your hand painted Farm / Caravan picture available for the public to purchase?
We will look into it! 🙂
@@BuildingtheNestIreland I like that!
What? What? What? Sale fell true?
Yeah the sale of the Cornwall house fell through…… tune into the next video to see what happens!
Another Ireland t-shirt....yer in...😂
Haha good spot! Keep your eyes peeled for other Ireland related stuff!
Hello i’m following your process with interest as we’re doing the same albeit a year behind you and just starting out in the process! Can i ask about the planning permission you now know needed . My understanding is that there are planning permission exemptions in place for many Renovations and that as long as you do not alter the external appearance of the house significantly or if the building is protected or the renovations affect the structure somehow, planning permission should not be required I also understand that one can extend up to 40 square metres without permission too.. Can you clarify why you need permission as i’m now worrying we’ve missed something! ?
You do not need planning permission if you are not changing the house externally also one can add an extension to the rear of the house up to I think 50square meters.You do need planning permission for a septic system . I know about this as my daughter has recently been through the process.You would have been better off just going ahead and renovate without planning.Then apply for your planning for septic system
So we can only say what we were told, and there may be differences between councils… we were told that a derelict building needs planning to be lived in again, as it’s original residential planning status lapses when it becomes derelict. You also need it for a waste system. You can build 40 sqm to the rear of a property without planning, but that assumes that the main building has permission to be lived in. But I know there’s a huge amount of differences in opinions. Best bet is to call your local planning department. We found ours really helpful. Best of luck with it! 🙂
The road by the house is a third rate road.
What does third rate mean? It’s a lane or track really, only gets a few cars per day.
You would be better with your own well, the treated water is not as good for drinking
Turns out there is an old well on the site… we are going to look at reinstating it!
Are you in receipt of any Irish tax payers welfare to fund your project? because right now unlikely you contribute more than zero to Ireland but on the take of Irish tax payers grants.
Non nationals who think the Grants intended to alleviate a record number of homeless Irish people was FREE MONEY meant for them.
Irish tax payers subsidizing non non nationals dreams.
In light of record homeless in Ireland it is a perverse scam that any non nationals are subsidized in any way.
Don’t worry, we are not getting the grant. We are doing the renovation ourselves and it will take 3-4 years, which isn’t suitable for the grant (which has to be completed in 13 months). So no need to worry - we are self employed and will be paying into the system rather than taking 🙂
The point of the grant is to get abandoned houses brought back into use. It doesn’t matter who is willing to do the work. Also, if the grant is being used it will not pay for the entire project. The grant will help but it will not get anywhere close to paying for the work.
Hi....Your video is bringing back lots of bad memories of the planning process in Ireland....Constant negativity from achitects..structural engineers..builders..planning departments..ecology departments etc...Just keep your eyes on the prize from an English self builder at the top end of Lough Derg Co Galway....
I am Irish born and bred. We Irish have the opportunity to buy those sad looking poor derelict cottages the same as anyone else if we wish to...plenty of them to go around that's for sure. I like to see couples taking them on and saving them. Giving them a new story, new history. It's not an easy journey these people take on..its tough work. Fair play to them. To the couple...ye have to jump through hoops to get planning, etc, sorted. Its the rules of the country so important they are followed and yer doing great. Nothing worthwhile is easy but it will be worth it in the end. If we Irish were saving derelict buildings in UK we would have the same struggles in an unfamiliar planning system. Sorry to hear the sale of yer house fell through. It's just another hurdle...ye will get another buyer and a better price. Looking forward to follow yer hard work ahead. Stay positive..keep smiling.