A new concept in home building which is creating a big stir in the north-west of the country is being explored by sculptor Chris Killalea in the townland of Gortinar, Co Leitrim. Forget your preconceived ideas about cattle fodder and silage - hay is coming into its own and enjoying a new-found respect in rural Ireland as an essential ingredient in building a house.
The idea of building a house out of straw bales originated in Nebraska, in the US, and has been commonplace there for over one hundred years, spreading as far as Mexico as its popularity increased. Aware of the concept for some time, it wasn't until Chris visited a centre for alternative technologies in Wales that he put his thoughts into action. Although originally from Boyle, Co Roscommon, he now lives in Manorhamilton, Co Leitrim, with his wife Paula and their six young children. As part of an umbrella group of artists called "Visual Leitrim" he decided to use his own money to build a straw bale house to be used as an exhibition centre for local artists' work.
Part of the plan was that the general public would be able to visit and experience the whole process of straw-bale housing first hand, as a viable and practical alternative to Ireland's housing options.
Unfortunately, the project has recently run out of funds and Chris and Paula have decided to sell their house in Manorhamilton and invest the proceeds of the sale in the venture with a view to making it their new home.
The structure is S-shaped, a complicated idea which has meant building it has taken longer than would the average straw-bale house - according to Chris it's possible to build a much smaller version over a matter of days. While the design was their own idea, they got help from architect Robbie Morrison of ASE Consultant Engineers to make it feasible.
The first step was a strong foundation which was needed to ensure that the straw is kept away from the earth, also the first two feet of the structure are ordinary standard breeze blocks in order to safeguard against any dampness.
Thereafter, it's back to nature and a total of 30 tree trunks provide the support to the house and bales of hay are then stacked up tightly between the trunks to provide the outer walls.
The next stage involves two coats of a mixture of mud, sand and straw which encases the bales. The third coat is the most important in that it is mixed with lime which makes the structure air-tight.
An essential aspect of the building process is the necessity to keep the straw dry. If at any stage it gets wet before the protective coats go on, it must be replaced or there will be problems with damp at a later stage.
The actual labour on the house has been provided by family, friends and interested volunteers. Costs therefore are restricted to materials and tradesmen. Originally a fitter by trade, Chris is able to do a lot of the work himself.
Of necessity, the exterior walls will be textured, but for the internal surface they will be plastered to give a smooth finish.
When completed it will be a spectacular 4,000 sq ft house with three floors - four if you include the attic area. There are plans for nine bedrooms, five of which will be en suite.
Downstairs will be an open plan 1,200 sq ft space with the central attraction being a 200-year-old beech tree trunk which will be carved into a spiral staircase.
Light will be in abundance with twenty-five windows surrounding the house in addition to eight skylights in the roof.
One of the most attractive features of the property is the elongated roof which is in keeping with the nature theme, as it is tiled with Canadian redwood cedar shingle tiles. The windows will be teak and double glazed adding to the already beneficial heat-efficient structure - apparently hay is four times more heat efficient than regular insulation.
It is estimated that building costs are almost fifty per cent cheaper because of the materials used and the speed with which the structure can be assembled.
Three more months and they hope to be able to move into their new home. The total cost when finally completed is estimated at £120,000. Anybody worried about the fire hazard risks of a straw house can relax - it is claimed that, if anything, it is safer than a conventional home. With costs continuing to rise in the building industry, Chris believes that these houses will become a lot more common in the future as people look for alternative solutions to their housing problems.
If the amount of media that's beating a path to his door is a gauge to measure people's interest in the venture he may well be right.
Chris Killalea has a website at www.cisl.ie/shadesoftime
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