AN “ECCENTRIC” couple transformed a cow-house into a “magnificent” home on The Great House Revival.
Renowned architect Hugh Wallace returned on air to transform derelict and unloved properties into stunning dream homes.
Hugh Wallace warned Fiona and Paddy that they should insulate the walls[/caption]
Fiona and Paddy took Hugh’s breath away[/caption]
The finished exterior of the fabulous home[/caption]
In this new series, Hugh guides viewers through a diverse range of restoration projects in the Irish countryside, from Cork to Clare.
For the third episode of the new series, Hugh headed to Roscommon to meet Dublin-based architects Fiona Brugha and Paddy Dunne.
The couple found a substantial 1870s colonnaded stone building, which was once the cowhouse belonging to the vast Rockingham Estate, nestled in the dense forest of Lough Key.
They planned on turning the thick stone walled ruin into a contemporary family home for themselves and their two small children.
The defining feature was the row of tall arches running the full length of the building, which gave most rooms in the house a view of the surrounding forest.
They purchased the property for less than €100,000 and had a budget for the works of €350,000 but a restoration project among the trees didn’t come without challenges.
With the help of Hugh, Fiona and Paddy worked around the old building’s quirks to construct their sleek dream home in the forest.
After months of waiting, they finally got word at the end of March 2023 that the steel was on the way to get up and running.
The couple had patiently waited and hoped that a nearby cedar wood tree in the forest that surrounded the property would fall so they could use it.
And they got exactly what they wanted right in time after a storm knocked the tree down and they got to use the timber in their home.
During the building process, Hugh urged the couple to insulate the home properly and shared the bleak realities of what will happen if they don’t.
However, Paddy said that he didn’t know if insulating the walls was “necessary”.
Eleven bespoke windows were installed in July 2024 and they came into trouble due to the weather conditions.
After a quick trip to get a special tool, they fixed their slight problem.
BUMP IN THE ROAD
However, one of the custom-cut window glasses completely shattered during installation.
And while the window company agreed to replace the pane, it was still an unfortunate set back to the couple’s move in plans.
After years of hard work, they finally finished their renovations and invited Hugh back into their new home to see the finished look.
20 months after first visiting it as a a ruined and roofless cow-house, Hugh couldn’t quite believe how “amazing” it looked.
STUNNING REVEAL
Hugh approached the build via the new drive through the developing “wild garden” and commented on the stunning “glazed arches” that he said delivered elegance.
He added: “Through the innovative glazed pivot front door I go and inside my breath is taken away. Wow. I think it’s stunning.”
The fallen tree provided for the timber-like feature on the ceilings which Hugh admitted he had thought the idea was “nuts” prior but it brought a “surprising softness and cathedral elevation”.
Paddy jokingly replied: “Maybe it is nuts, but we like it.”
FABULOUS FLOORS
The original floor was put back in after installing under floor heating.
Hugh remarked: “This floor looks great.”
The pair explained that they had “fun” picking out individual fossils for the floor, including 380 million year old oysters.
Hugh commented: “They’re fabulous, aren’t they? I would expect nothing less than hand selected fossil flooring from this fabulously eccentric family. Everything in this home is architectural.
“But then it’s balanced against furniture which is comfortable. And to me, it’s very soft.”
HUGH’S CONCERNS
However, Hugh was still concerned with the house’s heat and as he walked into the master bedroom he asked: “When’s the insulation going up?”
He added: “It’s funny when you come into this room you can feel the temperature drop.”
Fiona replied: “It is cooler… no harm.”
Hugh responded: “Funny, you can see the line of damp.”
Fiona added: “We might inject DPC if the damp doesn’t go down.”
FAN FAVE
RTE viewers were all blown away by the property and also expressed concern over the insulation.
Margaret wrote: “What a fabulous home they have created on #thegreathouserevival. Every detail has been thought through. I wish them a lifetime of happiness in their home.”
Olivia tweeted: “Love it, although I’d love to know how it really functions in cold weather with the air to water and just the stone walls.”
Patrick remarked: “Wow, it looks amazing.”
Philip said: “Bloody hell – it’s gorgeous!”
Diarmud added: “Absolutely stunning show tonight in #thegreathouserevival. The cow house turned into a family home is magnificent. Wonder have the sorted potential heat loss issues yet though?“
Betty commented: “Beautiful but I feel they made a mistake by not insulating etc.”
Fiona and Paddy bought the wild cow-house for under €100,000[/caption]
RTE viewers all thought Fiona and Paddy’s new home was ‘amazing’[/caption]
