Picture gallery: Former Rockingham cowshed transformed into stunning home

A former cowshed on the Rockingham Estate in Boyle has been transformed into a magnificent and stunning home. The transformation was the focus of the Great House Revival on RTÉ on Sunday night.

Renowned architect Hugh Wallace travelled to Lough Key, Boyle to meet with Dublin based architects Fiona Brugha and Paddy Dunne who had purchased the substantial 1870s colonnaded stone building for just under €100,000 with the intention of restoring it and making it into a family home for themselves and their two daughters.

The two fell in in love with the property due to the impressive row of 11 tall arches running the full length of the building, which gave most rooms in the house a view of the surrounding forest.

Priced out of the Dublin market, the family had been staying with Fiona’s parents at their home as works began on this daunting project.

In early 2023 they finally saw the beginnings of their dream realised but nothing was easy with the building and there were many discrepancies with walls and arches, providing numerous headaches.

The parkland at Rockingham is also filled with a huge variety of trees and one which caught their eye was a Western Red Cedar, which had partially fallen down. They were not allowed to cut it but a later storm resulted in them being able to use the tree in the ceiling and kitchen areas of the home.

There was no doubt that there were a lot of issues along the way but no matter what the problem, the pair remained undeterred.

An issue over insulation between the host and the renovators was raised on several occasions with Wallace fearing that there could be problems later down the road with damp.

But 20 months after first visiting it as a ruined and roofless cow-house, Hugh couldn't quite believe how "amazing" it looked on completion.

The original cobble stone floor was put back in after installing under floor heating and the pair also explained that they had "fun" picking out individual fossils for the tiled floor, including 380 million year old oysters.

The presenter was clearly impressed stating: “My initial reaction when I met the pair of you was it's all going to be a bit sort of perfectionist and be a bit austere and cold. But it isn't, it's a real family home and I think hats off to the both of you for not compromising. There's a real warmth. When you're in the house, you feel you're outside. There's a real connection between the inside of the house and the setting outside. This home is very lucky to have you as the owners. You've really treated the building with such respect, you've taken all the elements, and given this a 21st century makeover.” Paddy explained that although their initial budget was €350,000 for the renovations the final cost was €400,000 not including the money they paid for the original building.

The presenter concluded saying: “This is just a spectacular piece of architecture. They've invested so much time and energy into this project and questioned every detail. They have ended up with this extraordinary building, which is a delight, it's fabulous.”