Walsh Island family to feature in RTÉ programme

A family from Walsh Island is set to feature in the latest instalment of The Big Build Ireland, the RTÉ series that transforms homes.

A new series of the programme, hosted by Baz Ashmawy, began last Sunday on RTÉ One and RTÉ Player.

For the final build of the series, the Harte family, from Offaly, will feature. The Harte's are raising three children with autism, including six-year-old Noah, who also has Global Developmental Delay and an intellectual disability.

Noah is non-speaking, experiences severe emotional distress and requires constant supervision due to his limited awareness of danger, an RTÉ press release said.

The family bought their home with the aim of creating 'a safe and supportive environment' for Noah. However, ongoing structural problems and costly repairs have placed significant pressure on the family, while Noah’s increasing needs have made everyday life more challenging, the press release added.

The DIY team takes on the task of transforming the family home into a safe, practical and supportive space that can meet the needs of Noah and the wider family for years to come. They will also take on projects in Kildare, Limerick and Wicklow.

Ashmawy is joined by a team of designers, builders, tradespeople, volunteers and suppliers who come together to create homes tailored to the needs of each family.

Renowned designer Kerry Hiddleston drives the Offaly and Limerick builds, while Gwen Kenny leads the Kildare project. Bray native Jenny Butler takes on the Wicklow build.

The gardens are also given the DIY SOS treatment, with established garden teams bringing expertise to each project. Sean Keighran takes on the Offaly garden, while Jorge Aragón works on the Kildare and Limerick builds. In Bray, Claire Hawker and Dylan Doyle join forces to transform the outdoor space.

Across the four-part series, four homes and four gardens will be transformed in 2026.

Ashmawy said: “I found some of these stories absolutely heartbreaking but I learned so much from these four families. I’m fascinated by their resilience and really admire how determined they are. They are amazing mothers and fathers who want the best for their kids. It’s so heartwarming to see hundreds of volunteers come together to try to help these families through a tough time. It sounds corny but it really does restore your faith in humanity.”

DIY SOS: The Big Build Ireland features on RTÉ One and RTÉ Player on Sunday's at 6.30pm.