Hi-tech and eco-friendly

Dundalk: from €240,000A new housing scheme in Dundalk, to be launched tomorrow by Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources Eamon Ryan, has been billed as one of the most significant sustainable housing developments in Ireland.

Carlinn Hall, on the the Mulaharlin Road, is also the first residential element of the ambitious Dundalk 20/20 project which aims to develop a four-square kilometre sustainable community in Dundalk town, centred around Dundalk Institute of Technology (DIT).

The project, being coordinated by Sustainable Energy Ireland, hopes to highlight how one community can move to a more sustainable pattern of energy supply and use. Keelagh Homes' Carlinn Hall comprises two, three and four-bedroom homes.

Design is by OBK Architects and all houses come with the very latest energy efficient heating systems and smart technologies which, according to the developer, will deliver significant savings on home energy costs.

Two-bedroom homes and apartments cost from €240,000 and have between 61-86sq m (567-926sq ft) of living space.

Three-bedroom homes start from €265,000, and measure 100-117sq m (1,076-1,259sq ft).

There are also four-bedroom homes starting at €400,000 which have 140-155sq m (1,507-1,668sq ft) of space.

Carlinn Hall is opposite the DIT and within walking distance of the town centre.

Smarthomes has wired each house for telephone, broadband, PC networking, TV, home cinema surround sound, and a central audio system in four rooms.

The homes are also iPod ready, allowing homeowners to access the full contents of their iPod, listen to the radio or choose their favourite CD in main living areas.

Each home comes with energy saving eco-friendly district heating technology. This system generates just half of the C02 emissions of traditional fossil fuel heating systems, will cost 30 per cent less to run and will deliver around-the-clock hot water, according to the developers. The houses are being sold by Guinne in Dundalk.