RAMONA AND ORAN CONNOLLY secured a complete home renovation on the RTÉ series DIY SOS: The Big Build Ireland, hosted by Baz Ashmawy, after losing husband and father Daragh Connolly in December 2025. The family’s unfinished forever home in Kildare was transformed over nine days through community goodwill, local trade battalions, and series suppliers.
Daragh Connolly dies leaving a half-built home
Daragh Connolly died suddenly and unexpectedly at age 45 in December 2025. He was rushed to hospital with severe stomach pain, underwent emergency surgery, and passed away less than 48 hours later. At the time of his death, the Connolly family was in the middle of building their forever home, which Daragh had poured his heart and soul into. The roof and windows had just been installed, but without a mortgage, life insurance, or financial resources, the build stalled. Ramona and five-year-old son Oran were left facing an uncertain future with a half-built house.
Community Effort Led by Baz Ashmawy
Baz Ashmawy led battalions of high-vis vests and hard hats to complete the Kildare residence over nine days of round-the-clock labor. KCB Construction served as the main build team, featuring Sammy Darragh, Barry Dunne, and Katie McManmon. Construction was guided by indiepics consultant Brandon Duarte, health and safety advisor Helena Ryan of Cooga Safety, and Gwen Kenny of Divine Design leading interior design. Aisling Fitzgibbon assisted with interiors, Jorge Aragón Cano of Jorge Aragón Haus handled garden design, and Kirby Group Engineering provided lead electrician Stephen Brennan. Kraftic Mechanical Ltd supplied lead plumber Paul White, Timbermill Construction provided lead carpenter Dave Dunne, and ANCA Architects provided architect Jerome Anglin alongside engineers Stem, Arthur Shirran, and Conor Vaughan. Stills photography was managed by Luke W. Cleary.
Irish businesses provide materials to finish the project
Dozens of Irish businesses and local suppliers contributed materials and services to finish the project. Among the series suppliers were Whiteriver Group, Velux, Usher Insulations, Unilin Insulation, Treacy Solar, TJ O’Mahony, Titan, Tayto Snacks, Snickers Workwear, Smyths Toys Superstore, Sign On Time, Scatterbox, Rugs.ie, Roadstone, Pipelife, Panda, Outdoor Living, OMC Technologies, Neary’s Lusk, Mobile Radio Links, Manhattan Popcorn, Lucozade Ireland, Lindab, Laurajeandesigns, Kirby Group, Housenumbers.ie, HJ Donohoe Plant Hire, Gyproc & Isover Ireland, Garry Flood Landscaping, Einhell, Dunwood, Dunnes Stores, Dry My Home, Detertech, Culligan Water, Crown Paints, Certa Ireland, Celupast, Brandme.ie, Blok N’ Mesh, Beko Ireland, Barry’s Tea, Appliancesdelivered.ie, and Alucast.
The build team was further bolstered by episode suppliers including Staplestown Scouts, Staplestown Honesty Hut, Shelley Interiors, Shannonside Galvanising, Sepcon, Select Hire, Secure Irl Innovative Security Systems, Scaftech, Rye River Café, Róisín De Buitléar, Rightstyle Furniture, Respa, Rathcoffey GAA, Queen Bee Cakes, Q Painting & Decorating, Plur Pizza, Plasterer’s Union, Pillar2Post Gates, Pavlak Masonry, Parallel Meals, Painstown Precast, O’Gorman Joinery, Murphy’s Geospacial, Moyglare Sand & Gravel, Mongey, Monahans Garden Centre, McKenna Haulage, MC Sport, Luna Window & Door Design, Little Paws Café, Liffey Mills, Leixlip Hire, Laois Marquee Hire, Bathroom & Tile Supplies, Lacey’s Plumbing & Heating, Krispy Kreme, Killeen Civil Engineering, Kilcock Garda Station, Keane Tiling, Karl Buckley, Judge Haulage, JP Maynooth Garden Centre, Jon Synnott, Johnstown Estate, Illumination Lighting, IC Interiors, Husqvarna Ireland, HSS, HQ Electrical Wholesale, Horizon Plant, Horan Steelworks, Homebot Ireland, Home Comfort Retrofits, Hire2k, Graze Dairy, Graepels, Friels Of Straffan, Fontech Traffic Management, Fire Containment Ltd, Fast Grass Landscaping, Farringtons Mill, EZ Living Interiors, EZ Lawn, Elite Blooms, Ei Electronics, Dunwood, Duey Brothers Plastering, Dowlings Steakhouse, Deluxe Bathrooms, Decor Warehouse, Deanta Doors, Donoghue Building Services (DBS), Ennis Plastering Specialists, D&D Fitted Furniture Ltd, D&C Paveright, Clonfert Farm, Clean More, Clane Steel Garden Sheds, Clane Fireplaces, Chisel & Plane, CEF Electrical, Caked_Ellie, C&G Granite, Burst Of Colour, Build A Bear, Brennans Hardware, Berg, Beanery Coffee Van, Barberstown Castle, Armelles Kitchen, Ark Safety, Ark Blinds, Apex Veranda, Annaveigh Nurseries, Allied Recycling, Access Plastic, and 33 South Main.
Questions About the Kildare Family Home Build
How can viewers watch the Kildare episode?
Audiences can stream the finished episode and view photo galleries of Ramona and Oran’s completed home on the RTÉ Player.
What happened to Daragh Connolly?
Daragh Connolly fell ill with severe stomach pain in December 2025, underwent emergency surgery, and died suddenly at age 45 less than 48 hours later.
How long did the DIY SOS renovation take?
The entire home overhaul and construction project was completed by volunteers and trade professionals over the course of just nine days.
The completed Kildare house provides Ramona and Oran with a secure environment to rebuild their lives following the sudden loss of Daragh.
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