Energy-saving design not the only plus in this lofty city residence

This house was a labour of love and that ethos shines through, Tommy Barker reports

Super-cheap to run — that’s the labour of love, lavished on 34 Dominick Street near Cork’s Shandon Steeple. Selling agent Jack French reckons it must be one of the most energy efficient homes in the city: example? its lights each emit only two watts of power, giving a total light energy requirement across the ground floor of 40 watts, with a life-span of 20,000 hours.

No 34 has bespoke character and artistic touches aplenty. Owner Adic Braguta and his wife built the house with the intention of living there with their three children, but a move to Australia now beckons.

Adic is a fitter as well as a man of many other talents, house renovation being one of them. The couple bought No 34 in a state of very poor repair about four years ago (similarly, No 36 is for sale with other agents, guiding €40,000,) and came to Dominick Street after doing up another Irish house near Tallow, Waterford 10 years ago.

There is little clue from the front that this rebuilt house is so different inside, though it has special insulation and anti-mould coloured render, triple- glazed German Veko windows as a small clue externally — but behind is wholly different, with balcony, garden and smashing city views to boot.

There is also Baxi high efficiency gas boiler plus electric heating, underfloor heating at ground level and in the three bathrooms, as well as a feature tall wall radiator in the living space, Coolwex Mitsubishi water pump for energy-saving, plus hand-made spiral staircase in decorative, elaborate verdigris steel with wide, curving mahogany treads fashioned by Adic.

The main, open-plan living area is 25’ by 12’, with alcove and bathroom, and has 20x2-watt LED lights, but only a maximum of 40 watts. “You know the way it is in this country, it can be so dark without sunshine? Well, it’s like your birthday, a party, when they’re on,” says Adic.

The next two levels are each home to two bedrooms and a bathroom, while the attic level has been done out a playroom.

Verdict: A good city living option, there is rear, off-street parking for two cars with No 34 Dominic Street, a rear walled garden, plus rear elevated terrace with sit-out space for great southerly city rooftop views — though the best sight of all will be the low energy bills.

LOCATION: Shandon, Cork

PRICE: €165,000

SIZE: Sq m 120 (1,300 sq ft)

BEDROOMS: 4

BATHROOMS: 3

BER RATING: B3