DIY SOS - O'Halloran Family Mooncoin, Co. Kilkenny

DIY SOS - The Big Build - Aoibhinn O'Halloran's Story

We were priviledged to be involved in the construction and kit out of Aoibhinn O'Halloran's home in Carrigeen, Mooncoin, Co. Kilkenny during April/May 2025 as part of DIY SOS: Ireland, The Big Build.

Aoibhínn (9), was born with a severe type of spina bifida and hydrocephalus, which pose significant challenges for her and her family, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. She is completely paralysed from her belly button down and has had to have a shunt inserted to drain the fluid from her brain. Aoibhínn lives in Mooncoin, County Kilkenny - with her Mam Sharon (Aoibhínn’s full time carer), her Dad John, and her two younger siblings.

After many years struggling to secure the money to build a home to meet Aoibhínn’s growing needs - with a lot of knockbacks and refusals - John and Sharon eventually managed to secure an extremely modest mortgage and embarked on their self-build. Progress had been painfully slow - despite family and friends giving every spare moment to the project. To save money the family moved in with Aoibhínn’s grandparents. Conditions there were cramped as the house was jam-packed with assistive devices and mobility equipment, such as wheelchairs, a stander, commodes, high chairs and a changing unit. 

That has all now changed with the assistance of DIYSOS - The Big Build Team and an amazing group of  community based personnel and companies that have given of their time and resources for free to give Aoibhinn and her family what they need - a purposefully built home.

We were delighted to provide bedroom and occasional furniture, mattresses, home decor, soft furnishings and bedding to the project.

The show aired on RTE One on Sunday 12th October, 2025.