![](//www.4rfv.com/images/no_image.jpg)
Architect Dermot Bannon is back and building again with a new series of Room to Improve, returning on Sunday 7th January, 9.30pm on RT One and RT Player.
Joined once again by quantity surveyor Claire Irwin, series 15 will feature builds of all different shapes and sizes, with varying budgets, grants and tight deadlines. There will be some heartbreak, and some incredibly compelling personal stories of the challenges of building in a cost-of-living crisis along the way.
Some of the homeowners are struggling with the increased costs of construction, from the cost of materials skyrocketing to rising labour costs. This series also features homes that are eligible for various home improvement grants including the vacant homes grant, the derelict homes grant and the SEAI grant, which will help to educate viewers on the opportunities that are available to prospective homeowners.
First stop for Dermot and Claire is Urlingford, Kilkenny, where Gr inne Murphy and Ivan Williams have been dreaming about renovating Ivan's forefather's old farmhouse for many years. With the help of the vacant homes grant and the SEAI grant, Ivan and Gr inne aim to bring the personality and character of this old house back to its former glory. Their total budget is particularly tight for this ambitious project.
In episode 2, Brian Carrigg and Kate Molony attempt to renovate a bungalow with a view of the Rock of Cashel that Kate has dreamed of owning all her life. As their budget is limited, the derelict and vacant homes grant and the SEAI grant have been integral to making this home build possible. The house needs a complete renovation, and the only view of the Rock was through a frosted bathroom window, so Dermot has been challenged to create a new design that captures the stunning view. Will Kate get the home she has always wished for?
In episode 3, Dermot and Claire meet Sandra and Daniel Davey in Knocklyon, Dublin, who bought their dream home there over four years ago. However, a conservatory added by its previous owners is leaking and as a result, the house is so cold that Sandra, Daniel and their two young children spend most their time in the front room. The Davey's main aim is to make their home more liveable, and to increase its energy efficiency. Will Dermot be able to make their dream a reality within a very tight budget, and working with a one-stop-shop for the construction?
Finally, in the series finale, Ann Brannigan and her husband David are attempting to give Ann's former family home in Santry, Dublin a complete renovation. Ann bought the home from her grandfather, so it is hugely sentimental to her, and her sister Emer lives next door. Ann and David have a big vision and a sizeable budget for this project. However, Dermot and Claire try to communicate that their growing wish list will increase the cost of the build significantly. Will they be able to compromise?
Room to Improve returns for the first of four episodes on Sunday 7th January, 9.30pm on RT One and RT Player
SERIES NOTES
Episode 1 Kilkenny
Gr inne Murphy and Ivan Williams have been dreaming about renovating Ivan's forefather's old farmhouse which is based near Urlingford in Co.Killkenny for many years.
Gr inne is a schoolteacher and teaches yoga and Ivan is a full-time farmer. They have two boys, Senan (6) and Luan (10). When Dermot first visited the house, Gr inne and Ivan had started renovating the exterior of the farmhouse with a limestone render, with the help of a local council grant. Inside, they were working on the preliminary demolition of the interior of the farmhouse in their spare time.
Gr inne and Ivan managed to attain the vacant homes grant due to the fact the house had not been lived more than two years. Given that the house needed structural work they were able to attain a top up, as well as an SEAI grant. Their budget was very tight, but the grants have really helped them with this project, as well as their mortgage.
Episode 2 Cashel
Brian Carrigg and Kate Molony met on holiday in Spain seven years ago. They married during the pandemic with a tiny ceremony, so when their house is complete, they hope to have a big party to make up for their wedding. In November 2022, they bought a bungalow on the outskirts of Cashel that Kate had dreamt of owning since she was a child.
The house had been vacant for many years and needed a complete renovation, including rewiring and replumbing. Kate and Brian naively moved all their furniture in, but quickly realised that the house was cold, damp and uninhabitable, especially with two young children. They have been living with Kate's sister Ruth and her family for over a year, so the pressure is on for them to move into their own home before they overstay their welcome!
The derelict and vacant homes grant and the SEAI grant have been integral to making their home build possible. The house has a view of the Rock of Cashel that Kate adores, but when Dermot arrived, the only real view of the Rock was through a frosted bathroom window. Dermot was challenged to create a new design that captures the stunning view of the Rock.
They want an A-rated home, but will their budget be able to cover the large rear extension, along with converting the upstairs of the bungalow to a fourth bedroom too? They also want to convert an exterior building into a gym for Brian.
There is only so much money in the pot, so Dermot and Claire have had to rein them in to ensure they don't spend money on the wrong things. Will Kate be able to compromise, and will they get the home they always dreamed of?
Episode 3 Knocklyon
Sandra and Daniel Davey are both from the same community in Tubbercurry, Sligo. Their lives went in different directions after school, but their paths reconnected during a visit home to Sligo, and there has been no looking back since. They m
More from RTE
25/07/2024
RT has rights to broadcast the 2024 Olympic Games in the Republic of Ireland only. RT is not permitted to broadcast the 2024 Olympic Games in Northern Ireland...
24/07/2024
Commenting, Director-General of RT , Kevin Bakhurst said:
RT welcomes today&...
23/07/2024
AVERAGE AUDIENCE UP OVER 200,000 ON LAST YEAR'S FINAL
Clare's thrilling...
22/07/2024
Church received four separate complaints of childhood sexual abuse against Bisho...
19/07/2024
Cuirfidh RT craoladh ioml n i nGaeilge ar f il beo n taobhl ne ar na cluich c...
19/07/2024
Coverage of all 17 days across TV, Radio and Online following Team Ireland's...
15/07/2024
2FM has teamed up with the Road Safety Authority (RSA), the Gaelic Players Association, the FAI, the IRFU and a host of Irish musicians to record road safety me...
15/07/2024
RT PLAYER STREAMS MORE THAN TRIPLE FOR UEFA EURO 2024 VERSUS 2020 TOURNAMENT
9...
15/07/2024
Are you going to the Fleadh? RT will be there.
WATCH our promo
Wexford Town will host the Comhaltas Fleadh Cheoil na h ireann 2024 and, as traditional musici...
09/07/2024
RT News is pleased to announce the appointment of journalist, Shane Curraigh n, as Northwest Correspondent. Shane will be reporting and providing analysis ac...
04/07/2024
RT Investigates and the Sunday Independent announce major new joint investigati...
03/07/2024
RT will present comprehensive coverage of the UK General Election 2024 results on Thursday 4th and Friday 5th July across digital, television and radio platfor...
02/07/2024
RT is seeking expressions of interest in presenting single or double header roles on RTE 2fm.
RT 2FM's primary purpose is to provide relevant speech, mus...
02/07/2024
RT News is pleased to announce the appointment of Tommy Meskill as its new London Correspondent. Tommy has been a journalist with RT News for eight years, mos...
01/07/2024
Watch our promo: RT Supporting the Arts | What's on YouTube
This July, RT is delighted to support a fantastic array of events around the country. In Ga...
28/06/2024
Over 250 hours of Olympics coverage and over 100 hours of Paralympics coverage
Two new series on our Irish Olympians' journey
At an event in RT today, ...
28/06/2024
4.2 million streams last week with Player on track to break 2023 records
RT Pl...
27/06/2024
3.6million in 122 grants to benefit 1.1million children in every county in Irela...
25/06/2024
Former RT journalist Tommie Gorman has died at the age of 68, his family have announced. After 41 years, Tommie signed off from RT News for the final time in ...
25/06/2024
RT Raidi na Gaeltachta today announced the death of legendary sport broadcaste...
20/06/2024
First episode airs Thursday June 27 at 10:15pm and features Rhasidat Adeleke, Ge...
14/06/2024
Anna Geary and Sonia O'Sullivan go head-to-head for the first time
It's set to be one of the most competitive seasons to date on Ireland's Fittest ...
13/06/2024
All 51 games live and free-to-air
45 games live on RT 2 & RT Player plus 6 final group games on RT Player & RT News channel
RT Sport team includes new si...
12/06/2024
Hidden cameras capture horses being repeatedly hit and punched around the head
Images show a horse too weak to stand being prodded with a pitchfork
Major...
11/06/2024
RT took home Torcs in the current affairs, history, live music, single document...
10/06/2024
Hidden camera footage captures systematic abuse of horses
This Wednesday & Th...
07/06/2024
A NEW PODCAST SERIES FROM RT DOCUMENTARY ON ONE
FEATURING EXCLUSIVE ACCESS TO CARRIE JADE WILLIAMS
LISTEN TO TRAILER HERE
In 2021, a 32-year-old English wom...
06/06/2024
Prime Time's report tonight examines the failures of the Charities Regulator...
06/06/2024
RT has announced details of comprehensive elections results coverage across digital, television, and radio platforms beginning this weekend. After the public h...
04/06/2024
Watch live on RT One at 9:35pm and
available to stream on RT Player
With fo...
31/05/2024
RT 2FM is the home of music this summer, entertaining listeners across the day and night, with the best music, chat and interviews providing the soundtrack to ...
31/05/2024
RT Supporting the Arts: What's On this June
Watch our promo: RT Supporting the Arts | What's on YouTube
This June, RT is delighted to support Lim...
30/05/2024
RT has announced that Rachael English will be the new presenter of News at One on RT Radio 1 following the retirement of Bryan Dobson. After 14 years as part ...
29/05/2024
An action-packed weekend of live sport, including the Women's Euro 2025 Qualifier, the GAA Championship, URC Live and the Champions League Final
Catch al...
23/05/2024
RT 2FM today announced that Jennifer Zamperelli is to hang up the mic on her daily show.
Jennifer has presented her own show from 9-12pm weekdays on RT 2FM s...
23/05/2024
All candidates invited to debate live on the night
As part of RT 's extensi...
22/05/2024
RT lyric fm favourites Marty Whelan, Niall Carroll, Lorcan Murray, Simon Delaney and Evelyn Grant head to the Park
Liz Nolan offers an immersive podcast of cl...
21/05/2024
RT 2FM today announced that the Drive It with The 2 Johnnies is to come to an end on 31 May.
Head of RT 2Fm, Dan Healy said: After two very successful years...
21/05/2024
HOME IS WHERE THE STORY BEGINS
RT launches a series of Animated Shorts on the theme of Home
Watch: rte.ie/player/kids
Among these short animations is Envelo...
20/05/2024
As part of RT 's extensive coverage in the run up to the European Parliament...
17/05/2024
RT has today announced that Operation Transformation (OT) is to end after 17 seasons. As series come to an end each year, RT undertakes an editorial review to...
16/05/2024
RT is supporting Cruinni na n g with a nationwide campaign on television, radio, online and digital. For a full listing of all activities and information on h...
14/05/2024
Comedian PJ Gallagher turns mental health warrior in PJ Gallagher: Changing My M...
13/05/2024
RT Marks 20 Years as Title Sponsor of the Festival with special anniversary vid...
13/05/2024
New compelling eye-witness testimony of Stardust fire in RT documentary
Series filmed over three years includes interview with Charlie Bird filmed in 2021
N...
09/05/2024
RT Supporting the Arts: What's On this May
Watch our YouTube promo here
This May RT is delighted to support Dublin Dance Festival along with 20 other ar...
08/05/2024
RT has today announced that Doireann Garrihy has decided to leave RT 2FM after five years. Doireann will present her final 2FM Breakfast with Doireann, Donncha...
07/05/2024
RT has today welcomed the publication of three reports by the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sports and the Media, Catherine Martin TD: The Re...
06/05/2024
RT has announced details of its coverage across digital, TV and Radio in the ru...
01/05/2024
RT lyric fm turns 25!
Music station Where Life Sounds Better celebrates birthday with a gala concert
RT lyric fm celebrates 25 years today Wednesday, ...