We were honoured to take part in the latest episode of DIY SOS: The Big Build Ireland, which aired on RTÉ One and the RTÉ Player. The project brought the community together in Mooncoin, Co. Kilkenny, to help transform the home of nine-year-old Aoibhínn O’Hanlon and her family – an inspiring young girl living with a severe form of spina bifida and hydrocephalus.
Aoibhínn’s parents, Sharon and John, had faced enormous challenges trying to create a suitable home for her needs. After years of fundraising and a long wait in an overcrowded home, their dream of a safe, accessible home finally became a reality thanks to the incredible DIY SOS team, led by Baz Ashmawy, and the generosity of tradespeople and suppliers from across the region.
Our Role in the Build
When the DIY SOS team reached out, we didn’t hesitate to get involved. Designer Sue from Edition Kitchens worked closely with the production team to plan a kitchen that was both beautiful and practical – a space that would meet the family’s day-to-day needs while feeling warm and inviting.
Designing for Accessibility
With the project’s quick turnaround, every detail had to be carefully thought out and efficiently executed. The kitchen design included several accessible features, such as an adjustable-height worktop to allow different working heights for cooking and food prep – ideal for Aoibhínn’s wheelchair use and for other family members.
Storage solutions were also tailored for convenience and safety, with soft-close drawers, pull-out larders, and easy-reach shelving to ensure that everything could be accessed comfortably. Durable, easy-to-clean materials were chosen to handle the demands of family life while maintaining a timeless, modern look.
To complement the accessible design features, the kitchen was finished with a flat panel door from O&S in Superior Matt Taupe, offering a warm, contemporary feel that ties the whole space together. The look was completed with sleek handles supplied by CC Fittings in Waterford, bringing a refined touch that matched the overall aesthetic
“It was a really rewarding challenge,” said Sue. “The whole process was about balancing function/accessibility and style within an incredibly tight timeframe, but knowing how much it would mean to the family made every moment worthwhile.
Teamwork Makes the Dream Work
We’re especially proud of our fitters – Eric, Tómas, Lorcan, and Garrett – who went above and beyond to get the job done. Despite a tight timeline, the team worked tirelessly on a bank holiday Monday to complete the installation in time for the big reveal. Their professionalism, craftsmanship, and teamwork truly embodied the spirit of the DIY SOS project. We’d also like to give a special mention to some of the other local companies (some previously mentioned) that played a part in bringing this project to life:
O&S Doors, Flanagan Fittings, CC Fittings and Noyeks – all of whom contributed their expertise and time to help create something truly special.
A Community Coming Together
Projects like this remind us what can be achieved when people come together for a shared purpose. Seeing the O’Hanlon family move into their new, accessible home was an incredibly proud and emotional moment for everyone involved.
“Watching Aoibhínn’s face light up when she saw her new kitchen for the first time is something we’ll never forget” – Sue Dillon.
We’d like to thank the entire DIY SOS Ireland team, Kerry Hiddleston, and of course, Baz Ashmawy, for including us in this meaningful build.
Watch the full episode here: DIY SOS: The Big Build Ireland – Mooncoin Episode on RTÉ Player