Kane Family Mini Projects

 Est 2023 - Ongoing

Value Added Small-Farming: The Apples organically grown on Turlach Na Rua are collected in the autumn and used to create a traditional Irish Apple Pie, that is suitable for vegans.

PM: Sharon

Est 2023 - Ongoing

The careful restoration of the damaged and neglected cut stone pillars of Thomastown House commenced.

PM: Mark

 Est 2023 - Ongoing

A simple brown goose plush doll was created to recognise the impressive presence of a huge number of geese at Turlach Na Rua. A batch was produced for gifting/sale.

PM: Sharon

Est 2023 - Ongoing

A simple Thomastown House 1640 @ Turlach Na Rua Mug was designed and a batch produced for gifting/sale.

PM: Mark

Est 2023 - Ongoing

A playlist of music enjoyed while working on and at Turlach Na Rua has been compiled and is now yours F.O.C. on Spotify.

Link: https://open.spotify.com/playlist/3ITlYzt11quViEpXANm33h?si=fa0b503cc5504eb1

PM: Mark

December 2023

Mark found a porcelain doll's head and assorted clothing rags with papers from the 1890s in the floorboards so we decided to use them to make an angel for Thomastown House's Christmas tree (she is more than a little creepy when the lights are off to be fair).

PM: Mark

October 2023 - Ongoing

The questionable uPVC windows installed in 2000 have been replaced with energy efficient weather tight Sash Windows, this restores the external/internal aesthetics of the dwelling while meeting all current building standards, including: Technical Guidance Document B - Fire Safety - Volume 2: Dwelling Houses (2017) 

PM: Mark

November - December 2023

Having regard to the origin, development and occupation of the house an 'old English plain fiddle' set was procured from a cutler in Sheffield England, being one of the traditional centres of cutlery-making since the 17th century. The 'plain fiddle' cutlery patten originates in mid-17th century France and is meant to resemble a violin, in the early-18th century this pattern became popular with houses in England, known as the 'plain fiddle'.

PM: Mark

March 2024 - Ongoing

After some research, Thomastown House has been getting set up for "apiculture" - Hive sites have been reviewed by a very experienced beekeeper and the in-situ flora has been examined to ensure a plentiful supply of food for the bees during their active months. 20k of native Irish black bees (Apis mellifera mellifera) arrived and have begun to sniff out their new digs. In 2024 we are partnering with a very experienced beekeeper from the Tribes Beekeepers Galway to run the "beta test" operation and keep the bees happy and productive with a view to spring 2025 being the introduction of small scale commercial honey production at Turlach Na Rua.

PM: Mark

April 2024 - Ongoing

Thomastown House @ Turlach Na Rua seeks to be a long-term sustainable Kane Family entity and so we are running a small distance selling Farm Shop.

PM: Mark

May 2024 - December 2024

Thomastown House @ Turlach Na Rua applied for and was successfully awarded our first heritage/biodiversity grant. We applied for a mini Orchard Grant and were successful. We look forward to planting 5 Irish heritage apple trees in the late winter of 2024.

PM: Sharon

Est 2023 - Ongoing

Thomastown House is powered by 100% Green Energy.

PM: Mark

July 2024 - Ongoing

Thomastown House is a participant in the ESB Networks ‘Is This a Good Time?’ programme to change energy consumption based on peak and flexibility events.

What are peak events? 

A peak event is when there are lots of people using electricity at the same time and there is not enough renewable energy generation to supply electricity demand. This means that during peak events electricity is more expensive, more carbon intensive, and it may be less secure. 

What are flexibility events? 

A flexibility event occurs in two scenarios in which we may ask you to be flexible with how and when you use your electricity: 

1. When there is surplus renewable electricity generation, we may encourage you to take advantage of the available renewable energy.

2. When there is less renewable energy generation available, this is a good time to take control of your electricity usage by avoiding electricity-heavy appliances such as your tumble dryer, washing machine or dishwasher.

PM: Mark