1560s Townhouse

This historic stone building has intriguing and rich history, having first received a BER F-rating back in 2007. Over the ensuing years, it has undergone a series of significant renovations that have dramatically enhanced its energy efficiency. This remarkable transformation allowed the building to achieve a C2 rating in 2010, and it has recently gained recognition as the oldest A1 rated building in the country, as certified by the Sustainable Energy Authority of (SEAI).

The building's story dates back to 1560 when it was sold by the Sovereign of Kinsale to a prominent local merchant named Robert Meade. After experiencing several years of vacancy, the current owner took possession of the property in 2002. During this time, it became apparent that the house had been extended with a dormer conversion in the 1980, but the structure faced serious challenges related to insulation.

Upon inspection, the current owner discovered that there was a notably poor level of insulation within the attic, and there was a complete absence of insulation in both the walls and floors of the house. The first phase of renovations occurred in 2005, focusing on the ground floor. During this renovation, the team employed 80mm insulated backed plasterboard on the hollow block walls at the rear of the building, while also installing 50mm of insulation beneath the beautifully reclaimed parquet floors. Furthermore, the installation of new double-glazed windows and patio doors at the rear of the property contributed to significantly improved thermal performance, achieving an impressive rating of 1.4W/m2k.

second round of renovations took place in 2010, where the focus shifted to insulating the first floor. This included the installation of PIR insulation on the pitched roof, along with enhancements that improved the overall airtightness of the building. Through these carefully planned and executed updates, this exceptional structure not only maintains its historical and architectural significance but also sets a new benchmark for energy efficiency in heritage buildings.