Launched in March 2025, Kildare County Council’s (KCC) DemoHouse in Maynooth is a brilliant and inspiring initiative. Located in the Decarbonising Zone, the ‘Show & Tell’ approach demonstrates a collective menu of sustainable home upgrades which householders can undertake. A trio of Climate Action features: Energy, Biodiversity and Mitigation/Adaption measures are realized through a range of measures applied to this 1990s social housing unit, demonstrating an everyday living example of energy efficiency, universal design and climate resilience in practice.
Through guided tours, visitors to the house can observe fabric upgrades which include drylining with insulation to external walls, airtight construction, a low-carbon air to water heating system and, heat recovery decentralised ventilation system. The energy retrofit, including rewiring has reduced GHG emissions and increased energy efficiency, seeing the building upgraded from a BER rating of D1 to A1. The home was renovated with a family’s lifecycle in mind, for example, a chair lift for staircase, door widths widened for accessibility, a level threshold entry at the external doors, a height adjustable counter for cooking and more! The costs and associated avenues to access grants are displayed throughout the House to give further information to those interested in retrofit, pointing also to the financial savings to be made across time.
The DemoHouse exhibits biodiversity-friendly landscaping to both front and back gardens with nature-based Sustainable Urban Drainage Systems (SUDS) used to manage surface water and pollinator-friendly planting to support local biodiversity. Planting was in line with the micro-climate following suggestions found on the national website focused on pollination, as well as those that are edible and ornamental. A water butt, composter, rain garden and pond all direct the water to enable greater biodiversity.
Full consideration to the Circular Economy was given during the retrofit too, with many existing items and features retained, including paving, sleepers in garden, and with rainwater returned to ground, composting hotbin and low Volatile Organic Compounds (VOC) paint used on the internal walls. Additionally, given construction waste accounts for 46% of all waste in Ireland, special adherence was given to circularity with the refurbishment of the home prioritising waste reduction and reuse principles. The contractor was chosen based on their response to a Green Public Procurement tender, helping to influence the behaviour of both KCC and the contractor.
In line with national policy, Town Centre First, the DemoHouse also promotes walkability and cycling to nearby amenities and other services within 10-15 minutes’ walk or cycle.
Research: The climate holistic DemoHouse is also a great example of collaboration and research partnerships in practice, with three such projects underway. These include a research project being undertaken by Maynooth University which sees air quality assessed inside a retrofitted home without fossil fuels. Another project in coordination with Trinity College Dublin and Idaho University involves a Mammal Camera Trap to assess mammal species and frequency in an urban space (Dublin City to Maynooth). There is also another study ‘RENEW’ which uses AI to monitor energy consumption, seeking to dispel myths, capturing real data and balancing the householders’ needs against the grid’s needs. This pilot is set to be expanded to thirty other homes of all types within Kildare as part of a pilot with plans to scale up further in the future.
Outreach: The DemoHouse has a webpage which provides 360 degrees virtual access to the home, as well as other videos and information (air to water heat pump, rain garden etc), providing confidence to occupants of social housing receiving such retrofits. The Home receives visitors from a range of stakeholders of all ages, even opening on Saturday mornings once a month to facilitate those unable to make it during the week! The DemoHouse initiative has been recognized at the national level too, featuring on the national broadcaster RTE’s Nationwide programme. KCC’s Climate Action Coordinator Paula O’ Rourke impressed participants at the Cities Forum in June 2025, featuring information and photos of the DemoHouse as part of a panel titled ‘Mobilising systemic transformation for climate-neutral and climate-resilient cities’
Maynooth won a Gold Medal at the Entente Florale Europe 2025 competition. Entente Florale Europe is the longest running environmental awards scheme in Europe, dedicated to enhancing quality of life and promoting best practice in localities of all sizes. The DemoHouse won the Entente Florale Europe 2025 President’s Prize receiving special recognition for the KCC’s leadership and innovation in sustainability, energy efficiency and the promotion of best practice in climate action. Pictured second and third from right, respectively, Mary Morrissey (Climate Action Officer) and Paula O’ Rourke (Climate Action Coordinator), receiving their award. Sonya Kavanagh, Chief Executive of KCC noted how “the dedication and teamwork shown by residents, voluntary groups, and local businesses were instrumental in the success of the adjudication process”.
Ongoing impact: The Climate Action Team at KCC plans to increase visitor engagement to the DemoHouse, to collaborate with housing bodies and see climate education integrated into curricula in local schools. Jointly these initiatives will secure and realise a lasting impact, helping to empower communities with practical approaches to retrofit their homes in ways that are sustainable and accessible for all.
Visit the DemoHouse webpage to learn a lot more, to book a visit, take a virtual tour and much much more!
