Retrofit in Practice: Solutions to thermally upgrade traditional buildings
Retrofit in Practice is a full day workshop which provides an in-depth look at the retrofit of traditional buildings. The focus will be on using natural, breathable solutions to insulate traditional walls, roofs and floors, which respect and compliment the original fabric. This is a blended workshop, involving both theory and practical, and includes a live demonstration of the thermal upgrade of a solid wall.
1st October
Date and time
1st October 2025
9:30am - 4:00pm
Location
Ecological Training Centre, Upper Bridge Street, Athboy C15 Y678
Ideal for
- Homeowners
- Self-Builders
- Anyone interested in sustainable, energy efficient building
Please note: cancellations made after 23rd September 2025 are non-refundable.
Key learning
- The challenges of insulating traditional buildings
- Taking a fabric first approach to insulation
- Reduce heat loss without condensation risk
- Eliminate thermal bridges at key junctions
- The impact of moisture on solid walls
- Primary drivers of moisture ingress
- Moisture control in solid masonry walls
- Importance of diffusion open materials
- Advice on grant-aided financial support
- Options for internal insulation of solid walls
- Best practice approach to drylining
- Using compatible paints and finishes
Description
Practical advice, practical training
There are thousands of traditional buildings scattered throughout towns and villages across the Irish countryside. These are generally made with rubble stone or brick walls and form a valuable part of our unique vernacular heritage. Given Ireland’s ambitious climate targets and the housing crisis that currently exists, traditional buildings can play their part in providing comfortable, healthy accommodation along with preserving our precious heritage.
Retrofit in Practice looks at the challenges faced in retrofitting traditional buildings and provides natural, breathable solutions to bringing these back to life.
Who it is for
This event is aimed at anyone who is interested in retrofitting solid stone or brick traditional buildings.
What you learn
You will learn about what works - and what doesn't - when insulating older buildings, including advice on grant-aided financial support. Furthermore, you will benefit from seeing a live demonstration of breathable insulation being installed.
What you will do
You will arrive at the Ecological Building Systems office in Athboy, Co. Meath for 9.30am. Following introductions, you will hear from industry experts about appropriate insulation strategies and how we manage moisture and comfort in traditional buildings. Following this, there will be expert led practical sessions covering 'Air & Vapour Control in Older Buildings', 'Best Practice Drylining Techniques' and 'Specialised Insulation Systems & Natural Paint Demonstration'. This will be followed by a Q&A session before closing.
Materials used on the day
- Grass Insulation
- Hemp Insulation
- Woodfibre Insulation
- Decentralised Ventilation with Heat Recovery
- Straw Wall System
- Lime & Cork Plasters
- Auro Natural Paints
Agenda
- 09:30 - 10:00 Welcome & Introductions
- 10:00 - 11:15 The Fundamentals of Upgrading Traditional Buildings
- 11:15 - 11:30 Tea/Coffee
- 11:30 - 12:00 Indoor Air Quality in Retrofits - Ventilation
- 12:00 - 12:30 Practical Demo Part 1: Air & Vapour Control in Older Buildings (on suspended floors, drylining, ceilings)
- 12:30 - 12:45 Practical Demo Part 2: Best Practice Drylining Techniques
- 12:45 - 13:45 Lunch
- 13:45 - 15:30 Practical Demo Part 3:
Thermal Plaster & Woodfibre Application.
Lime Finishes & Natural Paint: Led by an Experienced Local Plasterer - 15:30 - 16-00 Q&A
- 16:00 - Close
Speakers
Joe Fitzgerald
Technical Specification Manager
Joe is a Passivhaus Contractor with Degree qualifications in Sustainable Construction and Energy Management. He also completed Postgraduate Diplomas in Green Engineering and Advanced Thermal Modelling and a Postgraduate Certificate in Hygrothermal Risk Assessment.
Fergal Flatley
Insulation & Ventilation Specification Advisor
Fergal is a qualified construction project manager, he has a keen interest in green building and the development of biodegradable materials for construction and so went on to complete a B.Sc. in Advanced Wood & Sustainable Building Technology at Sligo I.T. Following this, Fergal completed an honours degree in Construction Project Management before joining Ecological. Most recently, he successfully completed the Passive House Contractor exam run by the Passive House Institute in Germany, is fully trained on low energy detailing, and is a Certified City & Guilds Ventilation Validator.
Cronan Kennedy
Technical Specification Advisor
Cronan has over 15 years’ experience in the construction sector across multiple technical roles. Having originally started out as a Tradesman, Cronan gained considerable experience on numerous large-scale projects before progressing to Specification Manager - a role that led him to working alongside Architects, Engineers, County Councils and local businesses for the past decade. Cronan was also heavily involved in providing on-site technical installation training to contractors and external sales representatives as a method of improving their product knowledge, efficiency and understanding of building materials.
Stjepan Palfi
Technical Sales Executive
Stjepan is one of the newest members of Ecological Building Systems and works as a Technical Sales Executive. Stjepan’s passion for construction and interior design started from a young age when he worked alongside his father as a tradesman. Stjepan spent over a decade in the building sector in various roles and learned a great deal while working with different trades. Stjepan also has over 10 years’ experience in client focused roles in the commercial retail and has a strong background in customer service.