2025 has got off to a great start for Kilrehill Bros after the family business featured in the new series of ‘Room to Improve’ on RTÉ1.
Specialising in residential and commercial projects, the Dromore West, Co. Sligo-based company was the main contractor on the stunning renovation of a young widow’s home in nearby Aughris. There were tears shed across the country at the heart-wrenching story of Orla McDermott, who lost her husband, Dominic Keenehan, at the age of 38 to cancer, and her plans to fulfil his wishes to renovate their dream home.
The couple and their young son Lachlan had purchased their 1970s bungalow and secured planning permission for an extension in 2022 before Dominic was diagnosed with a rare and aggressive form of cancer. At the same time, Orla found out she was expecting their second child.
“Dom just went downhill in a matter of weeks and within three weeks he was in hospice,” she explained.
“A week later he died — so he was dead within a month of his diagnosis. That was in July of 2023.”
The couple’s baby daughter, Eden Dominique Keenehan, was born three months later, in October that year. “Dom died the day before his 39th birthday — so our little dream house kind of turned into a bit of a nightmare,” Orla added.
But Dominic was determined that Orla would continue with their plans to renovate. A GoFundMe page was set up to help the family achieve their goal.
“When Dom was in hospice, he actually said to me, ‘you’ve to promise you’ll do up the house’. He loved it here – he thought it was the nicest place to bring up the children.”
So, a year later, plans in hand, Orla met celebrity architect Dermot Bannon and so began their journey together along with local builder Brendan Kilrehill of Kilrehill Brothers. Despite boasting a stunning sea view on Sligo’s north coast, the bungalow was cold and windswept. There was damp and mould throughout, and Orla wanted a home that she and her two children could feel warm and comfortable in.
During the build, the family moved into a mobile home close to the nearby Beach Bar, but remained in constant touch with Brendan, Dermot and quantity surveyor Claire Irwin. Orla and Dominic always wanted an open-plan area and liked the idea of a social space. A spare room was another must for family members to stay over.
In September 2024, Kilrehill Bros arrived on site to commence works. A new family living area / social area was created adjacent to a new utility room and the rear entrance. Orla didn’t agree with everything Dermot had in mind for the house and the first aspect she objected to was the sitting of pillars to the front of the house. She was backed by Claire in this instance.
The return was sunken to give privacy from the road and allow height for a mezzanine. Here, a home office was created for Orla – complete with a sea view. “I love it up here – I just get away from everything. It’s like a little sanctuary for myself,” she enthused.
Another contentious part of Dermot’s design was his choice of a corrugated metal roof. Orla wasn’t so sure and wondered if it would last a lifetime or would need to be replaced after 20 years. Brendan expressed a preference for a slate roof, but agreed to go with the metal roof – the first time he had done a roof like this.
Sinking the extension was a key part of the plan. “We’re on the coast here. It was all about the view,” Dermot pointed out. The two double bedrooms at the front and the one at the rear remained, while the box room was transformed into a new family bathroom. A link was also built to the garage, which became a new ensuite bedroom for Orla, complete with a walk-in wardrobe.
The reinvention of the bungalow was the culmination of the vision shared by Orla and Dom. The project ran €20,000 over the initial €275,000 budget after an energy grant of €25,000 from the SEAI was factored in. However, Orla was delighted with the outcome: “I can’t believe it. It’s beyond anything I could have dreamed of,” she added.
Kilrehill Bros were also delighted with the finished product and to have their outstanding work showcased to a huge TV audience.
“We were taken aback with the feedback we received,” says Brendan.
“It’s amazing the amount of people who watch the show. It was a challenging project, but a very rewarding and enjoyable experience. I enjoyed every minute of it. Dermot Bannon was a pleasure to deal with. He asks for things in a nice way and has a good humour about him. Everyone on the project worked well together.
“It was a 19-week build which commenced on September 2 and was completed ahead of schedule in December. We were initially contracted by Orla and Dom to build an extension before Dom got sick. We thought nothing more of it again until Claire Irwin phoned on June 14. She kept in touch and that led to a Zoom call on August 28. I rang all my subcontractors before I committed to it and we were on site less than a week later.”
Among the subcontractors who worked on the project were plumber Stephen Feeney, electrician Dermot Murphy, roofer Sean Kirrane, slatter Padraig Horan, painter and decorator Seamus Harte, landscaper Jack Cunnane, Cedarbrook Design Kitchens, Stone Seal Flooring and JEC Tiles. Suppliers included Brooks Sligo, Chadwicks Sligo, Archers Ballina, Michael Cooney & Sons Homevalue Ballina, Halmac Homevalue Hardware Enniscrone, Envir Therm, Molloy Concrete Ballina and Harrington Concrete & Quarries.
Kilrehill Bros was founded in 1993 by brothers Brendan and Aidan Kilrehill. Originally blocklayers, they have been main contractors since 2000. The brothers are joined by an eight-strong team consisting of skilled professionals who are dedicated to their craft.
“We’re one of the longest established builders in our area,” explains Brendan, whose son Keelan is the reigning Irish national cross-country champion and runs for Moy Valley AC.
“We operate within a 25-mile radius of Dromore West and have completed many residential and school projects. While private houses are our ‘bread and butter’, we built 14 houses at St Farnan’s Drive, Dromore West for Sligo County Council at a cost of €1.8 million a few years ago. We also completed a €1.5 million extension to Dromore West Central National School and a €1.1 million refurbishment of our local church.
“We have a good name which leads to a lot of repeat business.”
Superior workmanship, value-for-money, an unwavering commitment to Health & Safety and working closely with clients to deliver total satisfaction are the hallmarks of Kilrehill Bros. From concept to completion, Brendan and Aidan are with you every step of the way, ensuring that your new project is designed and built to your specific needs and to the highest standard.
Whether your next project is a new build, renovation or extension, Kilrehill Bros’ one-stop shop approach will ensure that both the design and building processes are smooth, comfortable and hassle-free. The Co. Sligo contractor’s reputation for high quality construction and ability to complete projects on time and within the agreed budget is borne out by the high volume of repeat business and referrals it receives from design teams and scores of satisfied customers.
By employing highly-skilled people, working closely with subcontractors, engineers and architects, and using only the very best building products, this fully-insured company is able to deliver projects that not only meet, but exceed expectations.
Passionate about construction, Brendan and Aidan would like to take this opportunity to thank their clients and suppliers for their continued support as well as their staff and subcontractors for their hard work, dedication and expertise.
Kilrehill Bros
Carrowmarble,
Dromore West,
Co. Sligo.
Telephone: 087 295 1795 (Brendan) / 087 696 4353 (Aidan)
Email: [email protected]
This article was published in Building Ireland Magazine, April 2025, Vol 11 No 4
