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 20 Jan 2026)

Population
677
Homes
430
Vacancy Rate
33.0%
90 holiday · 52 vacant
BER Coverage
44.3%
Avg BER Rating
C2
Motor Cars
415
total (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
Population used: 677 of 5,458,600 national (0.012%) — calculated 15 May 2026
Baseline Emissions & Cost — per year
Electricity Fossil Fuel Renewable Transport Total
CO2 (tCO2e) 232.7 666.5 — 1,125.1 2,024.3
Total Cost €419,774 €446,072 €17,889 €916,967 €1,800,702

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 1946–60 band also stands out with 19 unassessed homes (older construction with typically low energy performance). BER coverage is strongest for 1991–2000 homes (58%).
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 assessed homes vs Co. Clare (2025)
The SEC's energy profile lags the county average: 36% of assessed homes are A or B rated, compared to 54% countywide (2025). The SEC has proportionally more F-G-rated homes than the county (14.2% vs 7.5%). Conversely, A2-rated homes are under-represented in the SEC (2.5% vs 13.0% countywide). With 41% of assessed homes in the D–G bands (vs 22% countywide), there is significant retrofit potential in the SEC.
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