Hugh Wallace is back to chart the highs and lows of home restorations in Ireland. Adventurous homeowners battle to restore derelict or unloved properties to their former glory, but can they create their dream home in the ruined walls of our past?
Presented by architect Hugh Wallace, this series follows homeowners across Ireland as they try to restore and transform their derelict properties into comfortable homes fit for today – while saving a piece of the country's architectural heritage.
In this new series, Hugh meets homeowners who are transforming a cowshed on a ruined grand estate, a rotten farmhouse with a secret, a former seaside guesthouse, a derelict vernacular cottage, a Burren herder’s hut, an old grocery shop, tumbling cabins and a depopulated village’s former Post House, across the country from Cork to Donegal.
Every aspect of the work is documented, from missed deadlines and budgets to battles fought and challenges overcome. Every property is different, and each brings with it its own unique set of problems for the brave homeowners, for whom every restoration is a personal passion project.
With our housing shortage in the headlines daily, can these restorers show us the way to a dream home by resurrecting buildings from our past?
With budgets ranging from €75,000 to €400,000, Hugh will find out just what is possible to achieve when people set their hearts on their new dream home.
Episode 1 - Former Post Office, Butlerstown, Co. Cork
Local lad Timmie O’Brien, has many happy memories of his local Post Office that has been lying dormant for many years. So he and his partner Siobhan decide it is time to breathe back some life into the old village hub, and to convert it into their forever home with their two young sons, Jimmy and Miah.
When we meet Siobhan and Timmie they are already a few years into the project, but they have run out of steam and work has stalled. The renovation of the house and shop, as well as spiraling costs, has been overwhelming for Siobhan and Timmie, and their forever home has become an improbable dream.
But under Hugh’s guidance the couple get a second wind, and pull out all the stops to make their dream a reality. Timmie spends every spare moment on site, while Siobhán balances raising their two children with her makeup job and helping Timmie manage the build.
As pressure mounts, and the couple see less and less of each other, will this formidable build get the better of them again?
Episode 2 - Old Herdsman's cottage, Burren, Co. Clare
With so many planning and environmental restrictions, Aoibheann has time to set up a full kitchen garden to service her restaurant in Galway City, as well as two tenants – Crunchie and Phoebe, the two miniature ponies.
Aoibheann has a very clear vision in mind for her Burren retreat. And has ambitions of creating an exceptional design that will belie the walls of the traditional cottage. As Aoibheann’s progressive vision for her retreat spirals out of control, it inhibits her from making any decisions on her build, slowing down all work on-site. Can her local builder, John Cannole, a no-nonsense, true blue banner-county man, bring her back to earth, and get the renovation back on track?
Episode 3 - Old cowshed, Lough Key
Nestled in the dense forest of Lough Key, Dublin-based architects Fiona Brugha and Paddy Dunne found a substantial, 1870s colonnaded stone building which was once the cowhouse belonging to the vast Rockingham Estate. They plan on turning this thick stone walled ruin into a contemporary family home for themselves and their two small children.
The defining feature is the row of tall arches running the full length of the building, which give most rooms in the house a view of the surrounding forest. Their budget is €350,000, but a restoration project among the trees doesn't come without challenges. Can Fiona and Paddy work around the old building’s quirks to construct their sleek dream home in the forest?
Episode 4 - City Townhouse & Shop front, Douglas Street, Co. Cork
Artist Cora Murphy always dreamed of owning her own home and art studio in Cork City, and as she hits 50, her dream has finally come true. The first time homeowner has bought a charming Victorian terrace right in the heart of Douglas Street. As well as converting the dilapidated building to her first home, Cora is also planning on converting the old shop floor into her artist studio.
However, she's learning hard and fast that period restoration is far from simple – from unsalvageable windows to asbestos discoveries, mortgage uncertainties to planning complications, her Douglas St dream is on the verge of turning into a Douglas St nightmare.
Cora’s sunny disposition rarely falters, and despite each and every knockback, Cora soldiers on in the hope that she will one day have her own home.
Episode 5 - West Cork Country House, Rockhouse, Co. Cork
Secondary school teacher Grace Cotter and her landscape gardener husband John are restoring what they think is a modest Georgian farmhouse in the hills of Kilmacsimon for them and their soon to be three children in West Cork.
When John and Grace purchase their home, it's hard to see past the dire condition the house is in.
Sitting high in the hills of West Cork, Rockhouse has been left neglected and unloved and has become a shelter for nearby farming cows, as well as the odd rodent or two.
John does most of the work himself, and when he’s not working for his own business, he spends every spare moment at the house. Missing out on weekends and family holidays, to make a home for his growing family. Tackling delays in securing their mortgage as well as facing grief in the midst of their renovation, Rockhouse’s revival is far from straightforward. Is Rockhouse beyond saving, or can Grace and John’s grit and determination transform this shell of house into their vision of a beloved family home?
Episode 6 - Former Seaside Guest House, Rathmullan, Co Donegal
When recently returned Asset Manager Eoghan O'Riain wanted to set up roots in his native Rathmullan after working all over the world, he stumbled upon this quaint terrace house with a stunning sea view.
What could have easily become a holiday home, left vacant for most of the year, Eoghan hopes to transform into a cosy home for himself and his dog Charlie.
The front rooms of the house, with amazing views over picturesque and historic Lough Swilly, will be given some updating by Eoghan himself while the area at the back of the house will make way for a slick modern kitchen extension.
With a budget of €170,000 can Eoghan put his stamp on this old home and create a new life in this quiet seaside town?
Episode 7: Ruinous 1800s Farm House & Sheds, St. Mullins, Co. Carlow
Carlow man Tommy McDonald's childhood dream of restoring a cloghan of cottages down the lane from his family home, comes to life, when he and partner Emily Lewis decide to transform the ruinous property into their first home.
Emily is originally from Wales, and fell in love with the home not just because of Tommy’s connection to the place, but because of how much it reminds her of home.
Tommy, who has no building experience has decided to tackle the project himself. In a bid to cut costs, he stubbornly starts the build without a project plan. The build becomes a slow and arduous process. Delayed by bad weather, and Tommy’s lack of experience the build comes to an absolute standstill.
In the midst of their renovation, and while living in a mobile home on-site, Tommy and Emily welcome their first child, baby Elias, into the family.
Tommy is determined to bring the renovation under budget, on an already tight budget of €250k. But along with the budget restrictions, grant deadlines and the many hurdles that befall the project, will Tommy and Emily ever finish their home?
