The hit TV show, ‘DIY SOS: The Big Build’, returns this autumn with four brand new episodes centring around four separate families whose homes have received a life-changing makeover.
Famous for bringing out the very best in people, ‘DIY SOS: The Big Build’ is a heart-warming, inspirational series for RTÉ One. Deserving families facing difficult personal circumstances, who need help to improve their quality of life, get a significant home renovation – all delivered by the goodwill of trades, suppliers, contractors and the local community.
In each episode, an army of volunteer builders, labourers, trades, suppliers, friends and neighbours come together, giving their time, labour and materials, to help a local family whose lives have been impacted by a significant loss or misfortune. Baz Ashmawy and the team meet families across the country who may be struggling to cope with a devastating illness or life-changing condition, and who need help to rebuild their homes – and hopefully, transform their lives in the process.
This series showcases Ireland’s incredible community spirit. It quietly celebrates the generosity, dedication and pure altruism of big-hearted volunteers and suppliers, all working tirelessly to help change someone’s life in a very tangible way – by making their house a home again.
No strangers to the show, a team from Clancy Construction features in one of the new episodes which sees them work alongside other volunteers and members of the community in Mooncoin, Co. Kilkenny to help complete a dream home for the O’Hanlon family, who need a specially-adapted house for their little girl, Aoibhínn.
Aoibhínn lives with her mum and full-time carer Sharon, her dad John, and her two younger siblings. The nine-year-old was born with a severe type of spina bifida and hydrocephalus, which pose significant challenges for her and her family, 24 hours-a-day, seven days-a-week. She is completely paralysed from her belly button down and has had to have a shunt inserted to drain the fluid from her brain.
After many years struggling to secure the money to build a home to meet Aoibhínn’s growing needs – with a lot of knockbacks and refusals – John and Sharon eventually managed to secure an extremely modest mortgage and embarked on their self-build. Progress had been painfully slow, despite family and friends giving every spare moment to the project.
To save money, the family moved in with Aoibhínn’s grandparents. However, conditions there were cramped as the house was jam-packed with assistive devices and mobility equipment such as wheelchairs, a stander, commodes, high chairs and a changing unit. But with the help of ‘DIY SOS – The Big Build’, the O’Hanlon’s home transformation was completed within the nine-day timeframe and has allowed Aoibhínn to finally live independently alongside her family.
“We hope it’s made a huge difference to Aoibhínn’s life,” enthuses Clancy Construction contracts manager Garret Nestor.
“Her grandfather Mick had been working on the new home for a few years with the help of others before it was handed over to us. The timber frame was up, but it was in a very raw state and a lot of work was required to get it done in nine days.
“The first thing we did was implement a Last Planner System which allowed everyone on the job to plan their work together. As the main contractor, we met with the various subcontractors, suppliers and volunteers beforehand to make sure everything ran smoothly. A huge amount of planning, in particular, went into lead-in times on materials to ensure everything turned up when needed.
“Several people walked in Ad hoc off the street, so much so that we had up to 200 working together on one particular day. It was a real team effort with everyone going above and beyond to help Aoibhínn and her family. Clancy has been involved in numerous voluntary projects before and the Directors were very supportive of us on this project. My colleagues from Clancy included associate director Cormac Smith, site managers Brian Tobin and Shane Quinn, former site manager John Hayes and junior QS Ross Derham.
“Clancy CEO John O’Shaughnessy and construction director Declan Fitzpatrick also gave generously of their time along with Pat and Gerry Clancy. We also received tremendous support from our buyers and Tom Regan, and his Health & Safety team. Health & Safety was at the forefront at all times.
“Health & Safety, Quality, Sustainability, Professionalism, Teamwork / Collaboration, Commitment / Loyalty are Clancy’s six core values, so from the beginning to the end of the project, these were planned and executed to a fine art. It would be very easy to cut corners when working within such a short window, but we didn’t compromise on quality. A high-quality, long-lasting building was created.”
Garret adds: “Despite the long hours and long shifts that were put in, there was always a great atmosphere on-site. Everyone chipped in and did their bit, from the people who supplied the food to those involved in constructing the house. It was a lovely project to be associated with and to be able to lend our skills to as we’re too busy most of the time to give time to something like that.
“I would say it was a life-changing experience for most of the crew.”
Come the Reveal Day, no-one was happier than Aoibhínn herself.
“She was delighted,” Garret explains.
“Everything is adapted for her needs. For example, there is an adjustable counter top in the kitchen which gives her added independence. There is even a suitable clothes line because she likes hanging out clothes! The project was all about making life as comfortable as possible for Aoibhínn and her family, and I hope we achieved that.”
One of Ireland’s leading building companies, Clancy’s motto is ‘Built on Partnership’. This partnership approach reinforces collaboration and teamwork, and lends itself to an air of inclusivity between all parties involved in the project.
The long-established main contractor has raised its profile within the industry to compete at the highest level. This has resulted in increases in turnover which the company expects will continue in the years ahead. Clancy’s continual investment in technology ensures that the client benefits from the efficiencies gained by it, and that they have access to important innovations such as BIM, Lean Construction and Offsite Construction.
Clancy Construction
Ballylusky,
Drangan,
Thurles,
Co. Tipperary.
Telephone: 052 91 52166
Email: [email protected]
Web: www.clancy.ie
This article was published in Building Ireland Magazine, December 2025, Vol 11 No 13
