A cottage in Sligo that dates back to the 1870s has featured on RTÉ’s ‘home of the year’ and reached the final – its not difficult to see why.
The owners have worked wonders on the home.
It’s a lifetime ambition for many people to buy a cheap rundown property in Ireland that they can renovate and turn into a dream home.
It can be hard work of course and the reality doesn’t always match the fantasy, but when someone gets it right, the results can be spectacular.
The dream certainly came true for one couple whose renovated cottage was featured on Home Of The Year and was awarded top marks by judge Hugh Wallace.
When you see come of the beautiful properties this small country boasts, that’s some achievement.
Wallace and fellow judges Amanda Bone and Sara Cosgrove were given three incredible homes to choose from.
As well as the Sligo cottage there was a Dublin estate and split-level home in Wicklow.
It was the Sligo property – owned by contestants Martin and Saoirse- that was the clear winner.
When Martin and Saoirse bought the coastal home in 2014, it was in serious need of renovation.
They added an extension with a barrel roof and open plan upstairs area, which takes advantage of the scenery and provides breath-taking coastal views.
The judges awarded the cottage 25 points which was enough to see it advance to the final of the series.
Wallace said: “I thought they made the most of this site by elevating that living dining kitchen area. A treasure.”
He added that Martin and Saoirse had created ‘one of the most spectacular family homes I’ve seen’.
Take a look at the pictures below.
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Written by Michael Kehoe @michaelcalling
