The resplendent Cúirt Na gCloch at Stoney Lane, Ardee, County Louth stands proud a wonderful example of the magnificent, modern developments being consistently delivered by Darra Bridge Housing Ltd. Building Ireland takes a closer look at this superb 14-unit residential development as well as other recently-completed and currently-ongoing Darra Bridge projects.
Darra Bridge Housing have just finished a superb development of 14 highly-efficient, single-storey, two-bedroom houses on the outskirts of Ardee, on a well-appointed historic site at Stoney Lane.
Granted a sympathetic universal design by local architect Shay Duff, Cúirt Na gCloch is a modern, energy-efficient and resident-friendly development based in an ideal setting, offering all the benefits of both urban and rural living.
The new homes, which have been purchased by Louth County Council, merge seamlessly into the local landscape and have been widely welcomed in these times of urgent housing needs. From his base in Lobinstown, County Meath, Shay Duff was the architect for Cúirt Na gCloch and also for a number of other industry-leading Darra Bridge Housing developments.
“Darra Bridge Housing Ltd. is owned by Sean O’Hagan, who is originally from Tullykeel, Ardee,” Shay reveals. “Sean runs a haulage company in the UK, where he has been based for 30 years, but he also formed Darra Bridge Housing here in Ireland, purchasing and developing properties to a very high standard before bringing them to the market.”
When we touched base with Shay in early October, construction work at Cúirt Na gCloch had finished literally only days earlier, having commenced in September 2021. “There are 14 units in total – a block of eight, a block of five and one detached unit,” he states. “They are all single-storey, two-bedroom houses and they were given a universal design which makes them suitable for all residents. They are age-friendly, dementia-friendly, wheelchair accessible and are an ideal home for anybody.
“Access to the homes, the window openings, the kitchen lay-outs – everything has been considered in the universal design to ensure that they suit all needs. They come with reinforced ceilings in case hoists are needed for a disabled person and cover the full spectrum of living, be that a family, single-parent family, elderly person or anybody with mobility issues. While the houses were being built, the local authority showed a keen interest and they have agreed to purchase them.”
The location of these homes could not be better. Situated adjacent to Sliabh Breagh housing estate, behind St Marys GAA pitch, off the Dublin Road heading due south out of Ardee, they are close to all the amenities the vibrant mid-Louth town has to offer but the rich Wee County countryside lies peacefully in the other direction.
“You really do get the best of both worlds,” Shay agrees. “All the benefits of a busy commuter town are within walking distance but as they are located within the urban border you are living in a rural setting.”
Shay designed Cúirt Na gCloch from a site that contained two old pre-existing buildings which had fallen into a state of dilapidation.
These dwellings were demolished and planning permission was secured for 14 new units, which offer all the comforts of modern, energy-efficient living. “The homes are A-rated and have individual air-to-water heating systems and are connected to mains water and mains foul.”
The site was a hive of activity during the construction phase, with a locally-based Darra Bridge Housing foreman Derek Gillespie (who also handled the groundworks component) overseeing proceedings alongside three other directly-employed staff members and a tried-and-trusted team of subcontracted trades, all of whom delivered exceptional workmanship. Joseph O’Reilly Consulting Engineers have carried out the structural & services design while Aine McCartney was responsible for the surveys and setting out. All in all, the development has been a resounding success:
“There was a lot of interest in it, even before the works started, and lots of enquiries,” Shay continues. “The really encouraging thing is that locally it has been very well received by residents in the area, who were very happy to see that style of development, not least because prior to this there had been planning granted for a large two-and-a-half-storey, over-basement property, which was going to be a lot more conspicuous.
“This is a much more complementary design and the development also tidies up an area which was seeing a lot of antisocial behaviour. The site has been finished to the very highest levels of workmanship, with quality materials, in conjunction with the residents of Sliabh Breagh. Works were completed to their liking. We got their input and there was great community buy-in into the whole project.”
Other developments in the pipeline include a scheme of ten single-storey units (a mix of two- and three-bedroom) in Drumconrath, County Meath and a proposed 20-unit development in Newtown, Creevagh, County Meath, just five minutes from Ardee.
The latter comprises 14 single-storey, two-bedroom retirement homes and six private, two-storey semi-detached houses. Sean also purchases old properties and restores them up to an A energy rating before selling them again.
During the pandemic Sean donated PPE equipment to the value of €25,000 to local Meath councillor Wayne Harding for distribution between the counties of Meath and Louth.
Sean had also donated an interactive multi touch learning table to St. Brigid’s Hospital in Ardee, Co. Louth.
Sean’s goal with any of his projects is to deilver a quality finish in his construction but also ensure that he leaves a positive development that will enhance communities and that can be enjoyed for generations to come.
This article was published in Building Ireland Magazine, January 2023, Vol 9 No 1
