North Burren Corcomroe Abbey

North Burren Sustainable Energy Community

CCEA are delighted to work with the North Burren SEC to create the Energy Master Plan

Community Energy Data

Based on Census 2022 and SEAI Building Energy Rating data (BER data updated 6 Oct 2026)

Population
677
Homes
430
Vacancy Rate
33.0%
90 holiday · 52 vacant
BER Coverage
46.6%
Median BER Rating
C
mean 239 kWh/m²/yr
Motor Cars
460
2025 est.
Baseline Energy Usage — MWh/year, apportioned from national SEI06 2024
Sector Electricity (MWh) Fossil Fuel (MWh) Renewable (MWh) Total (MWh)
Residential 1,039 2,593 175 3,807
Community See Audits Not yet calculated
Transport 73 4,600 401 5,074
Total (excl. Community) 1,111 7,194 576 8,881
Population used: 677 of 5,458,600 national (0.012%) — calculated 15 May 2026
Baseline Emissions & Cost — per year, Apr–Sep 2026 prices
Electricity Fossil Fuel Renewable Transport Total
CO2 (tCO2e) 232.7 666.5 — 1,117.3 2,016.5
Total Cost €378,025 €375,011 €18,029 €1,008,650 €1,779,715
Transport Energy, Emissions & Cost — private cars, per year
Electricity Fossil Fuel Renewable Total
Energy (MWh) 73 4,600 401 5,074
CO2 (tCO2e) 16.3 1,101.0 — 1,117.3
Total Cost €19,863 €909,442 €79,345 €1,008,650

Energy per Sector (MWh/yr)

Cost per Sector (€/yr)

Emissions per Sector (tCO2e/yr)

Residential Community Transport
Age of Homes — Census 2022, permanent private households
Houses by Age Group
Pre 1971 1971–1996 After 1997 Not stated
The largest age cohort is 1971–1996 homes at 35% of the housing stock. 30% of homes predate 1971, likely to have cavity-free solid-wall construction and low levels of insulation — the highest retrofit potential in the SEC. 31% were built after 1997 when Ireland's Building Regulations (Part L) introduced mandatory energy efficiency requirements, with further tightening in 2006 and 2011. The 1971–1996 cohort (35%) represents mid-vintage stock, often partially retrofitted but generally below current insulation standards.
House Age and BER Coverage
The 2001–10 period accounts for the largest share of homes (24% of total). The greatest retrofit opportunity is the Pre-1919 band — 49 homes without a BER, older construction with typically low energy performance. The 1981–90 band also stands out with 33 unassessed homes (construction that often predates modern insulation standards). BER coverage is strongest for 2001–10 homes (60%).
Housing Tenure — Census 2022 vs Co. Clare
Owner-occupied homes make up 83% of SEC households versus 72% across Co. Clare. This higher ownership rate is positive for retrofit uptake — owner-occupiers have a direct financial incentive to invest in upgrades that landlords currently lack. Private rental (6%) is below the county average (14%), which is a modest positive for retrofit prospects.
BER Ratings — % of homes with a BER vs Co. Clare and Ireland
Homes with a BER by rating group
A0–B C–D E–G
In the SEC, 37% of homes with a BER are rated B or better, against 30% in Co. Clare. The B band is the most over-represented (23% versus 18% in the county) and the C band the most under-represented (24% versus 32%). Nationally, 37% of homes with a BER are rated B or better, so the SEC is close to Ireland, though 40% of its homes with a BER are in the D–G bands against 32% nationally. With 208 of the SEC's 446 homes (47%) having a BER and data for all four Small Areas, confidence is moderate. BERs are mostly done when homes are sold, let, newly built or grant-upgraded, so such homes tend to be over-represented. BER ratings are the yardstick for progress under the Climate Action Plan; one national goal is to bring 500,000 homes (about 25%) to B or better by 2030. In the SEC, 37% of homes with a BER are rated A0–B, 35% C–D and 29% E–G. Homes in the C–D group are closest to the target and would generally need fewer measures to reach a B. The E–G group offers the greatest energy, cost and emissions savings per home, and its SEC share exceeds Co. Clare (25%) and Ireland (21%). Oil heats 120 homes with a BER (58%, against 54% in the county), making the move away from oil central to heating upgrades. Stone walls feature in 29 homes with a BER (14%, against 10% in the county) and usually need specialist insulation.
Cars per Household — Census 2022, scaled × 1.109 to 2025
% of households, Census 2022. Pie chart counts are scaled to 2025; percentages are unchanged by scaling.
Households in the SEC have an average of 1.66 cars, above the national average of 1.43 (Co. Clare: 1.55). Only 5% of households have no car, compared with 14% for the national average — a sign of high car dependence, typical of rural areas with limited public transport. 52% of households run two or more cars (vs 45%). Second cars often cover shorter, predictable trips, making them strong candidates for replacement with an EV, shared transport or active travel.
Small Areas (SAs)
Type Code Name %
SA 037001001 100%
SA 037001002 100%
SA 037001003/037001004 100%
SA 037132001 100%
CSO Tables Consulted
Table Level Description
SAP2022T15T1SA SA Number of homes with 0,1,2,3,4 or more cars
SAP2022T1T1ASA SA Population , breakdown by sex
SAP2022T2T1SA SA Population data, breakdown by country of origin
SAP2022T6T2SA SA Housing number by age, divided into different age-bands
SAP2022T6T3SA SA Type of occupancy, e,g, ower, renter etc.
SAP2022T6T5SA SA Central heating Type
SAP2022T6T8SA SA Occupancy on Census night, i.e. number of houses vacant, holiday homes, occupied by usual residents, occupied by visitors, temporarily absent