Entertaining During Covid-19 Restrictions

Words by Julie Keary

Photographs by Tom Taheny

The owners of this super garden love to entertain. Surrounded by family, it was only natural that they would come up with a plan that would enable them to have friends and family over for meals and 'get togethers' in an outdoor setting - while sticking to any restrictions that would be imposed during this pandemic. This lady of the house commissioned one of Galway's local craftsmen - Ronan Loughney of Ró Design to come up with a plan for a warm welcoming outdoor room. The owner worked closely with Ronan to design a very usable and versatile space that would be cosy, atmospheric and most importantly a 'fit for purpose' outdoor room. It had to be very usable even during the colder nights of an Irish winter.

Ronan Loughney hails from Barna, Co. Galway, and will be better known for his prowess on the rugby field having played for Connacht for many years. He began his rugby career with Corinthians and later with Galwegians before gaining a rugby scholarship to University of Limerick where he obtained a degree in business. He progressed from the Connacht Rugby Academy to the Senior Rugby team - Connacht Rugby was on a high during his tenure, culminating with winning the Guinness Pro 12 in 2016 against Leinster in Murrayfield. Unfortunately Ronan's rugby career came to an end in 2017. " I think rugby gave me up before I gave rugby up", Ronan explains, having suffered many injuries he decided to call it a day. Ronan can now be seen commentating on TG4's Rugbaí Beo, as he is a fluent Irish speaker. He thoroughly enjoys still being involved with the sport he loves so passionately. 

Ronan has always had another passion - woodwork and creating bespoke pieces of furniture. As a young boy he learned many skills alongside his father and grandfather. Once he finished playing rugby he began to take his furniture making skills more seriously. He also felt that the business side of things was equally as important, so he completed a masters in Project Management in Trinity College, Dublin. While keeping his hand in with his bespoke furniture throughout his rugby career and having created many bespoke pieces for family and friends - and with much encouragement - he decided to make it his post rugby career. He has since gone on to do restaurant and commercial fit outs - which includes making furniture to fit each space. He also incorporates his steel fabrication skills in each piece of furniture. This outdoor room was one the first outdoor spaces he has completed and he is delighted with it. His clients had very much the same ideas as he had - and wee keen to use his favorite materials timber and steel - giving that refined industrial look. After many discussions with the owners he felt Ronan felt he had interpreted their needs and created a 3D model on 'Sketch Up' software - this gave his clients a very realistic model of how the space would look - all it needed was a few tweaks to suit the owners. 

The fireplace, with two recesses to hold the timber, although it throws out much heat, outdoor radiators will also give extra comfort as the nights get colder. The aesthetics of this room is mostly Scandinavian which is a favourite of Ronan's. He enthuses about clean lines with natural hardwoods. Panels of teak contrast beautifully with the anthracite colour of the chimney breast. He followed it through with teak louvres that surround the room and he complemented the panels with teak seating and the bespoke table that was commissioned to fit the area. With electrics completed by Gary Ward it was only left to kit out the kitchen with the green eggs and the pizza oven that sit snuggly into the tile topped counter space.

The only thing left to say is that I hope this couple will have many a happy and fun filled nights in their new room and of course that we wish Ronan every success in his new career. And just to note Ronan is not available to pop the steaks on the BBQ!!!

Design, Furniture & Fit out - Ronan Loughney, Ró Design @rodesignco