Ballymore’s first Passive House development

Ballymore has unveiled Drumnigh Oaks, a new collection of sustainable new homes in the coastal Dublin suburb of Portmarnock.  

Designed to the highest standards of comfort, quality, and sustainability, these homes set a new benchmark for energy-efficient living in Ireland with the properties on target to be fully Passive House standard. The beautifully designed showhouses, which open to the public on 1^st March, offer a glimpse inside, showcasing interiors by award-winning designer Sara Cosgrove, renowned for her role as a judge on Home of the Year.

A new standard in sustainable living 

Achieving Passive House certification requires meeting rigorous sustainability standards that ensure maximum comfort, reduced energy consumption, and a lower environmental impact. Ballymore has achieved this at Drumnigh Oaks with features including:  

• Airtight construction, reducing energy loss and keeping annual heating demands below 15kW/sqm. This results in significantly lower energy bills, with Passive House owners paying as little as €540 per year—compared to over €1,000 for a standard new-build home.  

• Mechanical ventilation with heat recovery, which reduces indoor air pollution by 90% and ensures a continuous supply of fresh, high-quality air every two to three hours. This system prevents condensation and mould while maintaining a consistently comfortable temperature.  

• Advanced window technology, designed to enhance thermal performance and reduce heat loss by 50% compared to conventional windows.  

• Super-insulated walls, roofs, and foundations, ensuring minimal heat loss and maximum efficiency.  

• Significant energy savings, with a 56% reduction in energy consumption compared to conventional homes, making for a smarter, more cost-effective way to live.  

“Sustainability lies at the heart of everything we do at Ballymore,” says our colleague Charlie Conlan who is Ballymore’s Sustainability Designer. “At Drumnigh Oaks, we’ve pushed the boundaries with Passive House design, overcoming complex challenges to meet Passive House targets. For homeowners, this translates into lower energy costs, exceptional indoor air quality, and the reassurance of living more sustainably.”  

Design excellence 

Merging sustainable innovation with Ballymore’s signature design ethos, we’ve ensured that each home at Drumnigh Oaks offers 1,708 sq ft of thoughtfully designed living space, including custom-designed kitchens, complete with integrated appliances, elegant contemporary bathrooms featuring bespoke finishes and full height wardrobes. The spacious homes also feature 2.7m floor-to-ceiling heights, enhancing natural light and a sense of space and views of private rear gardens and landscaped communal spaces. 

The Sara Cosgrove-designed show homes, reflect these features, as well as Drumnigh’s sustainable ethos and coastal surroundings with interiors featuring organic textures, natural materials, and a calming palette of greens and blues, creating a sophisticated yet family-friendly atmosphere.  

Further emphasizing Ballymore’s commitment to sustainability, the homes incorporate recycled paints in partnership with Enable Ireland’s Rediscovery Centre. Proceeds from these eco-friendly paints support Enable Ireland’s disability services, which provide vital support to over 13,000 children and adults nationwide.  

A great location 

Nestled in the heart of Portmarnock, Drumnigh Oaks offers the perfect balance between serene coastal living and city convenience. Portmarnock DART station is just a seven-minute walk away, while Dublin Airport can be reached in approximately ten minutes by car. Residents can enjoy an exceptional range of outdoor amenities, including the famous Velvet Strand beach, Portmarnock Golf Club, and the historic Malahide Castle. Meanwhile, the nearby villages of Portmarnock and Malahide provide a vibrant mix of restaurants, cafés, and boutique shops.  

“Drumnigh Oaks is the culmination of over 40 years of Ballymore’s dedication to design, quality, and sustainability,” says Linda Mulryan, who is our Deputy Managing Director at Ballymore. “We have invested heavily in both design and construction to create homes that are not only more energy-efficient and healthier to live in but also truly beautiful spaces. This development is about more than sustainability, it’s about building homes that people love to live in.”  

Find out more

The Drumnigh Oaks showhouses will be open for viewing from Saturday, 1st March, by appointment through sales agents O’Farrell Cleere. Homes are priced from €860,000, with further details and a brochure available here.