Firm to launch range of garden living spaces

A sister company to Cavan-based energy firm Gaeltech is branching into the realm of sustainable living by launching a range of bespoke garden living spaces perfect for work, rest, and play.

After the pandemic forced millions to embrace the concept of remote working, homeowners across Ireland have started exploring alternatives to potentially pricey architectural reconfigurations.

Established last year, Galetech Sustainable Living Ltd was formed to carry forward the embedded company ethos of innovative thinking by exploring the future of energy efficient, low carbon recreational and work spaces for people’s homes.

Later this month (April 16), through its brand Crannog Garden Rooms, the firm will unveil a showroom unit at the company’s headquarters near Stradone village.

“We’re ready and waiting to start production as advised by the government. We’re going to have over 20 models available to choose from, available from eight square metres up to 25 square metres,” explains Gerry McDonagh, who joined Crannog after 40-years working in the Irish footwear business, and later both with DPD and UPS in customer management and sales.

Garden Rooms 25 square metres (270 Sq ft) or under qualify for an exemption from planning permission once in your garden, and only use for lifestyle rather than residential purposes.

The material integrity for each Crannog Garden Room is A-rated, with each constructed from 147mm thick Structurally Insulated Panels (SIP) for walls, floor and roof. This ensures near passive levels of energy conservation.

All FCS certified timber-cladded Crannog Garden Rooms are furthermore covered by a 10 year structural guarantee for design and manufacturing faults, material failure, corrosion and rot, and each build typically takes around six weeks to complete.

In addition, and to underpin their commitment to sustainability, each Crannog Garden Room is installed using ground screws rather than traditional foundations, which provides space for ventilation and further reduces the environmental impact by not using concrete.

A six-figure sum has been invested in the venture to date, with several jobs already created and more considered as production is ramped up to meet demand into the future.

The new start-up has benefited from additional support from Cavan Local Enterprise Office.

Donogh O’Brien, one of two directors at Crannog alongside Darren Sherry, who with his father Donald established Gaeltech Energy in 2000, explains that the pandemic has forced more people to examine the space outside their homes.

“We’ve always prided ourselves on an ability to look outside the box. Very much we are seeing now that people are looking for not just a viable option to creating an outdoor living space, but one that is sustainable as well. Where we had identified a demand for the product, the pandemic has catapulted that to a new level,” adds Mr O’Brien.

The Crannog Garden Rooms is focused too on quality over quantity. They envisage building and delivering in the region of 100 units per year going forward. The company meanwhile only uses, where possible, local suppliers in order to support and encourage small businesses.

Mr McDonagh states: “A nice product, at the right price, and the right time. We’d welcome anyone to come out and visit us here in Stradone and see for themselves once our demonstration unit is in place.”