Offaly Volunteer Centre volunteers support RTE's DIY SOS build in Walsh Island

Volunteers coordinated by Offaly Volunteer Centre took part in the recent DIY SOS: The Big Build Ireland project in Coolagary, Walsh Island, where the home of the Harte family was transformed with the support of the local community.

From the first call for help to the final reveal, the project brought together tradespeople, businesses, community groups, and volunteers from across Offaly and beyond. Over several days, the site was filled with people cleaning, organising, and taking on whatever work was needed, including keeping the teams supplied with strong builder's tea!

Offaly Volunteer Centre helped mobilise and support a team of Community Volunteers who travelled to Walsh Island each day to work alongside the DIY SOS crew and the many other people on site.

The Community Volunteers, a programme supported by the Department of Rural Community Development and the Gaeltacht were on hand for all tasks throughout the project, from setting up the marquees on the first day to taking them down on the last day after the big reveal.

“The scale of what happened in Walsh Island was remarkable. People arrived with different skills and different reasons for volunteering, but everybody was there for the same reason: they wanted to do something meaningful for the Harte family,” said Deirdre Fox, Manager of Offaly Volunteer Centre.

Each morning began with the journey to Walsh Island, followed by preparations and the allocation of jobs for the day. As the build progressed, rooms were transformed, work areas were cleared, and the scale of the renovation became increasingly visible.

Frances Walsh, Community Volunteer Programme Coordinator with Offaly Volunteer Centre, was on site throughout.

“It was great to be there every day, to have the banter with the volunteers, and to watch the progress happening in front of us. There was always something to be done, and everyone just got stuck in. Even when people were tired, the atmosphere kept them going,” said Frances Walsh.

Volunteers saw first-hand the amount of organisation and teamwork needed to complete a DIY SOS build in such a short timeframe. Behind every visible change was a team moving materials, prepping spaces and clearing work areas so the next job could start.

“The project showed volunteering at its best. It was practical and energetic, and our volunteers were happy to take on whatever was asked of them, whether that was a big job or one of the smaller tasks keeping the build moving,” said Deirdre Fox.

Claire Dunne, Outreach and Engagement Facilitator with Offaly Volunteer Centre, also visited the site during the build.

“My visit to Walsh Island was heart-warming. Offaly Volunteer Centre is proud of everyone who represented the Centre on site, and grateful to all those who made that involvement possible. People were working hard, but they were also encouraging one another, sharing a joke, and making sure nobody felt left out,” said Claire Dunne.

A special thank you goes to “K” Buggy Coaches, whose support made the Centre's daily involvement possible. The drivers collected the volunteer team at 7am each morning and brought them safely to and from Walsh Island every day. The team simply couldn't have taken part without the transport they provided. They also became part of the experience itself, with plenty of conversation and good humour on the daily journeys.

“K” Buggy Coaches was central to our involvement. They looked after our volunteers from the first journey to the last, and we are sincerely grateful to Shane and the team there,” said Deirdre Fox.

Offaly Volunteer Centre also thanks every volunteer who took part, including those connected with the Centre, the Turas Nua volunteers, local volunteers, community groups, and everyone who worked behind the scenes.

Thanks are also due to Baz Ashmawy and the DIY SOS: The Big Build Ireland team for bringing everyone together.

Above all, Offaly Volunteer Centre wishes the Harte family every happiness in their new home.

“When we tidied up and stood back to see what had been achieved, it was difficult to put the feeling into words. What made the experience so special was the way people supported the family and one another. It was the Faithful County living up to its name,” said Deirdre Fox.

The Walsh Island episode of DIY SOS: The Big Build Ireland is provisionally expected to air on RTÉ One on Sunday, October 25