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Dublin Live
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Roisin Cullen

RTE Home of the Year 2022: Inside the stunning winning Wicklow house that stole the show

This is the stunning Wicklow farmhouse that has taken the title of 'Home of the Year 2022'.

Kate and Shane Byrne's 150-year-old home stole the show this year and took home the trophy.

The farmhouse had been in Shane's family but a modern extension has added natural light to the property.

Read more: RTE Home of the Year judges blown away by 'romantic and cosy' city house

In 2018, they knocked through the smaller rooms and added an extension to create an open plan living place.

A sense of family history is really important to the Byrnes and now their son will be the fourth generation to grow up in the farmhouse.

Kate and Shane stressed that how a home makes you feel is what's truly important.

They said: "We are just so over the moon and blown away by the reaction to our home.

"For our farmhouse to make the final, never mind win is just so incredibly flattering. It is not something thing we could have ever imagined happening. Our house is a part of our family’s history and is truly a home, not just a house. For the judges to see and recognise that is amazing.

"For us a home is not about the size of your floor plan or budget, instead what’s important for our family is the feeling the house gives you and those that visit it. The other houses in the competition were beautiful and it’s such an honour to have featured alongside them. Just being part of the competition is such a great experience and one I would highly recommend."

This was the eight series of Home of the Year with judges Hugh Wallace, Amanda Bone and Sara Cosgrove visiting 21 properties across Ireland.

Hugh said that the Wicklow home was a clear window and drew attention to the importance of memories in a family home.

He said: " Arriving up you knew there was something special and walking through the door I just loved the hall. The scale and size of the kitchen was terrific and that big dining room table was smashing! It was amazing because once you went through that door you could just feel the heartbeat of this spectacular home.

"There’s the intangible which is so important - that feeling when you walk around the home: of the family, the fun, the history, the memories that are in that home - that’s what makes a home for me."

Amanda said that the winning farmhouse has a connection with its surroundings.

She said: "The winning home is a 19 th century traditional farmhouse that has been refurbished and extended, this home is full of light, spacious, comfortable, uplifting and has a great connection with the surrounding landscape. Sometimes homes are all about how they make you feel and our winner just made you feel good!"

Judge Sara wished the family well for the future and was particularly taken aback by the peaceful feel of the baby's bedroom.

She said: " Huge congratulations to the Byrne family and their Wicklow farmhouse. A hugely worthy winner of this year's Home of the Year. For me, the home had wonderful flow and had a lovely combination of old and new. I loved the living areas in particular, the unique u-shape layout and seamless connection to the outdoor terrace and farm beyond.

"The bedrooms also had a very serene feel, with the baby’s bedroom in particular hitting a cheerful and uplifting note."

The other six finalists were:

  • Tony and Imogen McManus - new build in Kerry
  • Michelle and Rob McNeil - a renovated 1920s house in Belfast.
  • Aoife and Gareth Tolerton - a modernist upside down new build in Co. Down
  • Martin and Saoirse O' Dwyer - a renovated 1870s cottage with barrel roof extension in Sligo
  • Sarah Duggan and Ian McNamee - a renovated red brick property in Dublin
  • Sinead Murphy - a stylish city home with protected façade in Cork

Read more: Homeless Dublin woman 'at breaking point' as she's rejected from 33 house viewings

Read more: House hunters left baffled by bizarre bathroom feature in stunning Glasnevin home

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