Homeowners doing it for themselves

We're obsessed with building and renovating - and this weekend, a show aims to answer all your DIY questions. Rose Doyle reports.

The number of people building their own homes is on the increase. Dramatically so according to Clive Corry, the man behind the travelling Self- Building, Extending and Renovating Homes Show which opens in Punchestown Racecourse, Naas, Co Kildare tomorrow and runs until Sunday.

"The growth is absolutely amazing," he says. "The Irish market in self-building is bigger than the whole of the English, Scottish and Welsh markets put together. The average yearly figure for Ireland, north and south and with a population of roughly six million, is 21,000, of which 18,000 are built in the 26 counties. The same figure for England Scotland and Wales, with a population of 60 million is about 20,000 overall."

The figures come from the Central Statistics Office and go a long way towards explaining the popularity of a show already seen in Belfast and Cork which is off to Galway at the end of October.

Over 150 companies will ne on exhibit, providing advice on everything from finance, architects, planning and building regulations through to traditional skills and new technology and of course, environmentally

friendly building.

In a show within the show, those going to Punchestown will be able to view, and even commission work from five of the country's leading designers and manufacturers.

Known collectively as "Design Island", the group has created an "Island of Excellence" at which they'll display and demonstrate the making of lighting, furniture, glass art and hand-tufted rugs.

The Duff Tisdall stand aims to cause a stir: slung from the ceiling, it will have white voile walls and a white carpeted floor. Duff Tisdall, which operates from premises off the NCR, Dublin 8, is a design-led architectural company which make contemporary furniture using woods like walnut, oak and cherrywood.

In complete contrast, Shane Holland Design Workshops of North Great Georges Street, Dublin 1, produces hand-made lighting and furniture using metalworking and specialised casting skills on a mixture of different materials.

The Glasshammer team of designers and craftspeople are headed by Michelle O'Donnell and based in Rhode, Co Offaly. Their architectural glass art is hand crafted into natural surroundings both inside and outside buildings. Clive Corry speaks enthusiastically of their "mosaic floor, all in glass and with wonderful colours".

Stephanie Conroy of the Conroy Collective will be showing her hand-tufted rugs and wallhangings on the Island of Excellence. Working out of Celbridge, Co Kildare, she has exhibited at the 100% Design Show in London and makes rugs to commissioned specifications.

Klimmek and Henderson, the fifth member of the group, works in Newscastle, Dublin 24, from where it supplies the private and corporate sectors with exclusive furniture in contemporary styles.

The group members, who have already successfully exhibited together in Cork, will be on hand for the three days to demonstrate and take commissions.

Clive Corry points out that the overall show is "unique and dedicated" with no "Sunday market stalls or unrelated exhibitors". Information seminars will run throughout the three days and, among the 140 exhibitors, thatchers and stonemasons will demonstrate their traditional skills while the Irish Georgian Society will advise on restoration.

Admission to the show, which starts at 2 p.m. tomorrow, is €10. For further details visit www.selfbuild.ie.