Replacing fireplace with stove after chimney damage

I had a chimney fire and the flue was damaged. I've been quoted a lot to get it fixed and insurance company has agreed. I'm worried that my roofer has said he believes the problem is only at the top of the chimney and will not need to be fixed from inside the house. Apparently there is no concrete way of knowing if the flue is damaged lower down ? Does this make sense.

Someone made a suggestion that I could put in a stove and wouldn't need then to fix the chimney. Is this a more modern way to heat houses, would solid fuel be the way to go. What size would I need for the living room of a standard 3 bed semi which already has central heating and immersion for the water. What brand and price range of stove have people found to be the best. My understanding is that it's better if the stove it 'out' in the room as that way you get less heat going up the chimney. Is it a good idea putting in a stove. Apart from the price of the stove how long would the job take and circa what cost.

I've been looking at stoves. I stayed with a friend on the continent - much colder winters than here (although similar to our cold spells!) and was impressed at how little fuel they added to the stove over the course of an evening. Something like 4 -5 logs. My own open fire would use fire-log, coal, briquettes. Anyway, yes sticking out is better but dunno how much difference it makes. I think 8 kw is normal, but they say if you get a bigger one, you can heat the house with it by leaving doors open. I'm just hesitating at the initial cost to tear out the present fireplace and buy stove and re-do the fireplace and put up a new flue......any comments or suggestions welcome!

I spoke to my plumber who doesn't want to do the job as it's not strictly plumbing (no back boiler etc). He reckons the fireplace is too small and I'd need to increase the hearth (not sure of spelling on that) size and also put in a soot drawer in the back of the chimney breast in the other room. Also need to block up fireplace and then some kind of flue goes into the chimney. He did ask me was there a good draw on the current fireplace which seemed to be important.

Don't know if you have the system over there, but we had two flues relined with lightweight concrete at a cost of about £2000 for the two. We are fortunate in that the contractor was able to access both flues from outside the house. (They have to get access in order to ensure that the inflatable former is centralised in the flue.)

We live in the English Midlands so am unable to provide any contacts in Ireland, but if you Google on Flue Relining, I'm sure you will find someone local(ish) to you.

Good Luck.