Series Overview
Last year, Hugh Wallace embarked on a journey to chart eight more restorations across Ireland. His excitement and enthusiasm about observing buildings being brought back to life was unmatched.
Six of those homes are now complete and ready to inspire the audience. By way of tribute to Hugh and with the help of his friend Brendan Courtney, this series will chart the homeowners’ journeys to transform six distinct, old buildings that had been left to rack and ruin, as they take on the behemoth task of reviving these buildings. From an old Schoolhouse in Westmeath to a derelict bank in Roscommon, the series tracks their progress as they transform these buildings into liveable homes.
Every aspect of the work is documented. From continuous delays to challenging budgets, from leaky buildings 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 labour of love.
Hugh passionately believed in saving our built heritage, not just to celebrate the crafts of the past, but to create homes fit for the future. In a time where so many struggle to find a place to call home, Hugh challenged us to see the potential in old walls, celebrated traditional methods and building techniques and pushed homeowners to be creative, the result being beautifully unique properties which will be cherished for decades to come.
This series celebrates Hugh’s lasting contribution to Irish architecture, how he helped people create homes, warmed hearts, and made countless people smile along the way.
The two final episodes in the series will be broadcast later this year.
Episode one
Victorian Terraced House, Co Kilkenny
Proud Kilkenny man, Sean Hickey, has been working two jobs to save for his first home. Monday to Friday, he is a primary school teacher, and at weekends and school holidays, he works as a landscape gardener. After all his hard work, and diligent saving, he now has the keys to his home in his dream location of Kilkenny City. But his home is in far from turnkey condition.
History buff Sean does not like to throw anything out, and as a result his parents’ garage has turned into a “salvage” yard full of items Sean has redeemed and saved from skips over the years. From a clock rescued from his old primary school to old reclaimed bricks, Sean is planning to utilise it all to save money on making his home a reality.
Relying on his close knit community and his strong work ethic, Sean is planning to faithfully restore and renovate his Victorian home on a budget of €100,000 – with half of that coming from grants. But with the chimney in need of repair and an old dilapidated extension which needs to be knocked and replaced, can Sean afford to do everything on his to-do-list for his renovation? Or will the compromises mean he will be living with his parents for some time?
