Two locations are holding retrofit training sessions across the county

A retrofit training initiative started in Dungloe and will be brought to Letterkenny. 

This programme is designed to improve energy efficiency and support sustainable building practices. 

The Dungloe training, which ran from 14 to 18 July, welcomed a wide cross-section of the community. Attendees included tradespeople looking to upskill for retrofitting work, as well as homeowners keen to improve comfort, energy performance and long-term savings in their homes. 

The programme, delivered through the NZEB (Near Zero Energy Building) Retrofit Mobile Training Unit, now moves on to Letterkenny, where it will run from Monday 21 to Friday 25 July.  

In Letterkenny, participants will have access to a one-day NZEB Fundamentals course, aimed at tradespeople or anyone interested in energy-efficient construction, and a two-hour Retrofit for Homeowners session. The homeowner course covers practical home upgrades, understanding BER ratings, improving insulation, and accessing SEAI grants.  

Throughout the week, the mobile training unit will also host drop-in advice clinics offering guidance on energy-saving measures, grant applications, and green finance options. Local Credit Unions will be on hand with information about retrofitting loans. 

A special evening information session for homeowners affected by defective blocks will take place on Wednesday, 23 July, from 4pm to 6pm at ATU Donegal. Neil Gallagher will lead the session, providing advice and answering questions from concerned homeowners. 

“We were absolutely thrilled with the turnout in Dungloe. There’s clearly a growing appetite across Donegal to make homes more efficient, affordable and climate-ready,” Aisling Sharkey, Community Development Officer at DLDC, said.  “This programme brings expert training right to people’s doorsteps—and the response has been incredibly positive.” 

Margaret Larkin, Head of Operations at DLDC, highlighted the importance of accessible training in rural communities. “We’re proud to partner with Mount Lucas to bring this accredited training to Donegal. It supports lifelong learning, helps people make informed energy choices, and strengthens the resilience of our homes and communities.” 

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The training is led by Donegal Local Development CLG (DLDC) in partnership with the National Construction Training Campus, Mount Lucas, and LOETB. All events are free, but spaces are limited and must be booked in advance.

To register or find out more, visit website call 074 9127056 or email info@dldc.org.