Teach an Óileáin (Island House), Killybegs

COMPLETED

2025

CLIENT

Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine

Location

Ireland

PARTNER

MDT Construction (McDermott & Trearty Ltd) / McCabe Architects / DSM Consulting Engineers

Teach an Óileáin (Island House) is a landmark civic building located directly on the main pier in Killybegs, at the heart of the Killybegs 2040 Regeneration Project.

Designed to serve both the local community and visitors to Ireland’s premier fishing port, the building incorporates a tourist information and reception centre, digital hub, public amenities and café space within a single, cohesive architectural form.

Positioned on the Wild Atlantic Way and exposed to a demanding Atlantic coastal environment, the project required materials and systems capable of delivering long-term durability, clean architectural detailing and low maintenance over time.

The Brief

Kytun’s brief was to support the delivery of a robust, low-maintenance roofline solution suited to a highly exposed marine location and long-term public-sector use.

The aluminium systems specified needed to:

  • Perform reliably in wind-driven rain and salt-air conditions
  • Maintain clean, consistent detailing across elevations
  • Integrate seamlessly with the wider building envelope
  • Reduce long-term maintenance and lifecycle costs

The solution also had to support the architectural intent of a prominent civic building at the centre of a major regeneration scheme.

 

Key Challenges

  • Coastal exposure: persistent wind, driving rain and salt-laden air at pier level
  • Public-sector performance: systems designed for longevity and heavy use
  • Architectural clarity: crisp detailing required for a landmark civic building
  • Urban waterfront site: coordination with wider town centre regeneration works

Our Solution

Kytun aluminium soffit and capping systems were specified to deliver a clean, durable and low-maintenance roofline solution appropriate for the building’s exposed coastal setting.

Working as part of the wider project team, the focus was on ensuring that the aluminium elements provided:

  • Robust protection at roofline and façade junctions
  • Long-term resistance to weathering and corrosion
  • Consistent visual quality across the building envelope
  • Confidence in performance for public ownership

The result is a discreet but highly effective architectural aluminium solution that supports both the functional demands and visual clarity of the development.

Kytun Products Used

 

  • Architectural aluminium soffit systems
  • Architectural aluminium cappings
  • Associated aluminium trims and interfaces

The Result

Teach an Óileáin now stands as a civic anchor for Killybegs – a building designed to connect community, culture and commerce while performing reliably in one of Ireland’s most exposed environments.

As part of the wider Killybegs 2040 Regeneration Project, Island House demonstrates how systems-led thinking and considered material specification can deliver public buildings that are built to last, visually coherent and economically responsible over the long term.

 

“On our project in Killybegs, we worked closely with the team on the design, manufacture, and installation of bespoke aluminium elements. Their attention to detail and collaborative approach were evident throughout.
The Kytun AluSwift aluminium soffit and capping system required precise surveying, tailored design, and high-quality manufacturing to achieve a perfect fit all delivered to an excellent standard. Despite the challenges of a highly exposed coastal environment, the installation was carried out with professionalism and expertise.
The end result is a durable, low-maintenance solution that meets both performance and architectural requirements. We found the Kytun team reliable and solution-focused, and would have no hesitation in recommending them.”

McDermott & Trearty Construction

PDF Download:

Teach an Óileáin (Island House), Killybegs Case Study PDF

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