A French couple whose cottage was destroyed in a fire in Co Galway, have moved into a new home built by the local community.

Melanie and Jeremy Zanni say they are overwhelmed by the generosity of tradesmen who worked around the clock to construct the house in Glenamaddy in a matter of weeks.

Good neighbours are known to look out for one another, but when your house burns down and they build you a new one, that's quite an act of generosity.

The Zanni family settled here over ten years ago when they fell in love with a 300-year-old thatched cottage and set up a bakery.

But last month their home went up in flames following a freak chimney fire.

The blaze was brought under control but their home was completely destroyed.

The Zanni's had been unable to afford insurance for the old thatch and their livelihood was in ruins.

But the local community wasted no time in constructing a new home.

Tradesmen have worked day and night to lay the foundation, put on the roof, insert windows and plaster the cottage.

The initiative was led by Roscommon-Galway TD Michael Fitzmaurice who worked alongside young apprentices and retired tradesmen.

Jeremy bakes bread for cafes and restaurants in the city and county and Galway's food community also rallied to support the couple and their nine-year-old son Finn.

The Zanni family say they will cherish the kindness and friendship of the local community in Glenamaddy.

The thatch is gone but they have a roof over their heads and say they are here for the long haul.