The Irish Times

Self-builders in Co Cork are adopting low-tech construction techniques to create beautiful, personalised houses at affordable prices. 'There's a green building revolution going on in west Cork," says Rob Hopkins - and if anyone can say that, it's this lanky Englishman. Go down any wooded lane in west Cork and you may come across a building made of straw bales, wattle and daub, timber or cob. Many of the builders learnt their skills at The Hollies Centre for Practical Sustainability, set up by Hopkins five years ago. But why west Cork? Is it something in the air or the water? Why does it attract people who want to build their own eco-homes? "Over the past 20 year's, a lot of progressive people have moved into west Cork, bringing education, skills and a certain mindset," says Davie Philips of Sustainable Ireland. "Blow-ins have brought in a lot of creative initiatives and lost artisan crafts such as blacksmiths and tinsmiths. Education is also important; Kinsale has the longest-running permaculture course in the world. And the climate makes it easier."