hoping to renovate a cottage, advice needed

Maybe you can first look around on the next (climatically viable) Sunday at the better recent conversions.
Mark their locations on a Discovery map.
Go on to the appropriate county council website.
Click on the Planning link.
The planning files of most of these would now be online from the Limerick and Cork Co Council Planning webpages.
In the planning files (which you may download in pdf format) you’ll see the name of the architect, or architectural tech, as the case may be.

It all depends on the level of remodeling as opposed to reinstatement you are carrying out as to whether you would need an architect at all; my gut feeling is that if it is almost all like for like work you are probably better off getting a QS. A very good time to be buying property in need of work given the number of very skilled artisans out of same.

Maybe the “Cork Rural Design Guide” by the Cork County Council might give you some food for thought. I got a copy in Easons (€20) a few years ago for friends who needed to extend a house that they acquired just outside Limerick.

Though some of the “Architects” around here might scoff a bit at it ;), as I for one with no such professional background, we still found it a worthwhile read. Here is a link to download a free PDF version at corkcoco or alternatively visit the slideshare site and click the full screen modus for best results.

See also this thread

That is actually, for the most part, a very useful little guide, good sensible advice and some elegant examples used, it has the support of at least one “Architect” around here.

If only more people would use it maybe “Architects” wouldn’t scoff at the “layman” so much.

http://www.clarecoco.ie/planning/Docs/Rural_House_Design_Guide_2005.pdf

That’s the Co Clare Rural House Design Guide.

Thanks for all the advice, that cork guide is very helpful, we have since bought the cottage so wish us luck.