Leaving Certificate Social and Scientific
Home Design and Management Elective
©PDST Home Economics
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The most common house in rural areas in the early
1800s was the single storey thatched cottage.
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It generally consisted of two rooms, a kitchen and a
bedroom.
The walls were constructed from solid stone, the
windows were small and the door - usually a half-door,
opened into the kitchen.
An open turf fire was used for cooking and to provide
heat.
The thatch was of reeds, straw or hay
Some cottages had a room, or loft, directly under the
thatch, which was accessed by a ladder, where
children slept.
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Better-off farmers lived in large two-storey stone
house's with slated roofs.
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Wealthy landowners lived in big estate houses
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In urban areas, Georgian style houses were popular at
this time.
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Some were detached but many were two, three or
even four-storey terraced houses.
Walls were made of stone covered with a layer of
lime plaster.
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The houses often had basements
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Roofs were slated
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The Georgian house, is a simple classical design based
on the architecture of the Greeks and the Romans.
The main features include columns and decorative
doorways with a range of fanlights
The rooms had high ceilings with deep cornicing
(decorative moldings), architraves around doorways
and distinctive fireplaces.
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The suburbs of the larger towns and cities housed
the middle classes who lived in small terraced houses.
and many shopkeepers lived over their shops
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Ordinary workers lived in single-storey cottages
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Although building slowed during the 1800s there was
a move away from the simple classical Georgian style
of house to more ornate styles including Gothic and
Tudor styles.
The Gothic style
 The main features of Gothic architecture include
pointed windows, arches and doorways and highpitched roofs.
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Stone continued to be an important building material.
The Tudor style
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also included high pitched roofs, plaster panels with
timber framing and projecting (bay) windows.
In Rural areas
 Two-storey houses with slated roofs became more
common,
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Improved transportation led to availability of a
greater variety of building materials and brick
became popular.
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Many of the wealthier families moved from citycentre Georgian terraced houses to newly built
houses in the suburbs.
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The Georgian houses were divided, and rented to
poorer families, who often lived in overcrowded and
unsanitary conditions.
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The early twentieth century saw a move away from
the terraced house to the detached or semidetached house.
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Council and housing estates were built on the
outskirts of towns and cities.
These houses were built of brick with plaster walls.
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As land became more expensive, the houses were
usually two-storey’s high.
A common design was used which was less ornate than
the Gothic or Tudor styles of the previous century.
Tiles were introduced to replace roof slating.
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During this period 70% of the population still lived in
rural Ireland.
The end of the Second World War (1945), rural
electrification (1946) and government housing grants
brought changes to housing in rural Ireland.
The slate roofed bungalow gradually replaced the
thatched cottage of the past.
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Private housing estates using a common design
became very popular during the late twentieth
century.
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There was huge variety in design in private houses
including classical and modern designs.
Building regulations greatly improved housing
standards.
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High-rise apartment blocks were built
because of the high cost of land.
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Local authorities continued to build housing schemes
throughout towns and cities.
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New materials and methods e.g. double-glazing,
plastic (PVC) and fiberglass were commonly used.
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Many of the housing styles of the last two centuries
can still be seen throughout Ireland.
More people are now classified as urban dwellers
(57%).
In towns and cities, many terraced, semi-detached
and detached houses can be seen.
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Nowadays, due to a shortage of space, apartment
blocks are common.
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Complexes, which include a variety of town houses
and apartments, can be found in many towns and
cities throughout Ireland.
These complexes are often enclosed behind security
gates.
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Housing estates, both private and local authority,
continue to be built. Although each housing estate
usually consists of one style of house, there are many
different styles including single-storey detached,
dormer style and two storey semi-detached
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Nowadays, a popular option is to buy and restore old
dilapidated buildings. The old style thatched cottage
can be found in many tourist areas throughout the
country.
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Custom-designed houses, where plans are drawn
to the customer’s specifications, are popular
when building on a private site.
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A popular method of extending space within houses is
to convert attic space and
install Velux windows.
Conservatory extensions can be seen on many houses
throughout the country.
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Sheltered housing is commonly used for the elderly
or disabled.