ROS AND PATRICK’S HOUSE WINS HOME OF THE YEAR

A charming rural Wicklow farmhouse has been named as the 2018 Home of the Year.

The finale of the popular RTÉ interiors show aired last Tuesday night to reveal that the home owned by Patrick and Ros Walshe at Ballysheeman, Clara Vale, which was one of eight finalists, was chosen as the winner.

‘ We were delighted that our home was chosen as the winner. It seems that everyone in the country watches the show,’ said artist Patrick.

‘We were invited to enter after Ros, who is creative director with Avoca, featured in a Sunday Independent interview and was photographed at home and the producers saw the cottage. It dates back to 1790 and was most likely built as a hunting gate lodge.’

The couple bought the house in 1995 and spent about £30,000 renovating it, but made a point of preserving its original style and features.

‘ The judges said to us that 50 years ago in Ireland there were hundreds of cottages just like this, but not anymore. Ninety-five per cent of the stuff in our home has been collected over many years, from family and friends, and it really is a home which reflects our personalities,’ said Patrick.

Patrick and Ros also turned the old stable building into an art studio which sits across from the farmhouse, creating a courtyard.

LEFT: Patrick and Ros Walsh outside their Clara Vale home; ABOVE: The couple preserved the style of the farmhouse during renovations while outside they have created a courtyard effect.