The popular TV series, RTÉ Home of the Year, has captivated audiences with its showcase of unique and stunning homes across Ireland. From quirky tiny homes to sleek modern apartments, viewers have witnessed the extraordinary creativity of homeowners, architects, and interior designers. In the latest season, one property in particular stood out among the rest – a forest house tucked away in the scenic countryside of Ireland, which won the coveted title of Home of the Year. In this article, we take an exclusive look inside the winning home and peel back the layers of its design and functionality.
Rob and Janice McConnell’s house, located in County Antrim, was crowned the winner of RTÉ’s Home of the Year 2023. The coastal site where the McConnells built their modern and eco-friendly retreat was one of the reasons the judges were drawn to it. They were impressed with how the home was surrounded by natural materials while also being renewable and sustainable. The McConnells designed a single-storey dwelling, which maximized the relationship between the interior and the exterior of the property. The river running through the garden and the sea views were additional features that made the property a standout among the judging trio.
RTÉ One aired the finale of the eight-week odyssey across Ireland on Tuesday night. The judges, Hugh Wallace, Amanda Bone, and Sara Cosgrove, visited over 200 homes from which they selected the finalists. The other six finalists were Ciara McMahon and Richie Hannify’s modern mid-century home in Dublin; Cliona and Derek Hosty’s 1930s semi-detached home in South Dublin; Peter and Eileen McGuigan’s Edwardian home in Belfast; Jacqui and Rob Naughton’s renovated village home in Mayo; Sara and Neil Austin’s Victorian home in Co Down; and Catrinel and Stefan Cadare’s Victorian house in Kilkenny. All finalists were described as being unique, reflecting the diversity of homes across Ireland.
Architect Hugh Wallace described the McConnells’ home as “elegant,” while interior designer Sara Cosgrove complimented the couple for creating their dream home. Amanda Bone, who scored it a perfect 10 when it featured in the penultimate episode of the series, declared it “modern but felt like it had been there forever.” The home was seen as an embodiment of the spirit of the place by reinforcing its connection with the landscape. The McConnells’ house evoked emotions and captured the judges’ and viewers’ hearts, making it the unanimous winner of the Home of the Year 2023.
Janice, who works in retail, and Rob, who works in technology, share their living space with their teenage son and daughter. The judges were thrilled by the couple’s creativity, which made the most of their location to create a harmonious living space that met the family’s needs. The runner-ups, the reimagined 1930s home in South Dublin and the maximalist house in Co Down, were also impressive, and all three judges expressed admiration for each finalist.
Sara and Neil Austin had this to say about the competition, “We’re just really looking forward to meeting the other people [‘Home of the Year’ finalists]. We’re quite nosy as well. We were those guys that would be peering into other people’s windows to try and work out what their houses were like, so for that reason alone, we’re delighted to see other people’s houses.”
Hugh Wallace has judged over 200 homes in his years of being a judge for Home of the Year. He praised all the finalists for their efforts in creating beautiful homes. He said, “After visiting 200 amazing homes over the last nine years of ‘Home of the Year,’ I’m blown away by this year’s seven finalists. They should be so proud of their wonderful homes. Roll on series 10 in 2024!”
The McConnells were grateful for the recognition, and Rob stated that they never imagined winning the competition when they started their build journey six years ago. Nevertheless, they persisted and designed a magnificent home that exemplifies what is possible when combining innovation, sustainability, and space efficiency.
In conclusion, the McConnells’ home is a stunning representation of the beauty that is possible when designing and building homes. For the judges, it effortlessly combined modern design with traditional elements, creating a beautiful and harmonious living space in the middle of the forest with a river running through the garden and sea views. The competition showcased the diversity of homes across Ireland and celebrated the creative and innovative spirit of homeowners. The MacConnells’ victory was well-deserved, and it is exciting to see how they will inspire others through their eco-friendly and sustainable living.
In conclusion, the forest house that won top prize in RTÉ Home of the Year is truly a remarkable masterpiece. With its unique design and integration with nature, it’s not hard to see why it came out on top. The soothing sounds of the trees and the chirping of birds make this home a peaceful sanctuary away from the hustle and bustle of city life. It’s truly a testament to creativity and imagination, proving that when it comes to designing a home, the possibilities are truly infinite. We can only wait in anticipation for the next season of RTÉ Home of the Year, where we’ll see even more exceptional and inspiring homes.
