91热爆

Ireland is in the midst of a housing crisis, yet across the country, thousands of historical derelict properties stand empty.

With around 250,000 potential homes—about 10% of the total housing stock—there’s a huge opportunity not just to address the shortage of affordable housing, but to preserve Ireland’s architectural heritage by reimagining historic buildings for the future.

That’s exactly what The Great House Revival is all about. The series follows people with a passion for restoration, breathing new life into spaces that were once at the heart of their communities—whether schools, shops, or even castles.

“The greenest building is the one that already exists,” says award-winning architect and host Hugh Wallace.

The greenest building is the one that already exists

Hugh Wallace

“These homeowners aren’t just restoring bricks and mortar; they’re preserving a piece of history while making a sustainable choice. And by choosing to renovate rather than rebuild, homeowners achieve not only a more character-filled and meaningful space but also better value for money.

It’s a testament to the courage and creativity of those who dare to breathe new life into forgotten places.”

Over the years, The Great House Revival has featured some truly extraordinary restorations.

Here are Hugh's top five!

Gary and Anne's restoration of Belvelly Tower House is the most ambitious project The Great House Revival has ever seen.

Belvelly Tower House

91热爆owners aren鈥檛 just restoring bricks and mortar; they are preserving a piece of our collective history while making the most sustainable choice possible

Hugh Wallace

This medieval structure required an enormous financial investment, something most would never contemplate. But by saving this ancient tower house from slipping into the River Lee, they’ve ensured it will stand for another 500 years.

They are more than homeowners; they are custodians of history.

Follow the full restoration of this magnificent building here.

Mary-Claire, a nurse, and Sully, a carpenter, took on a small but daunting restoration—with no engineer, limited resources, and a tight budget.

The bathroom of the newly renovated Parsons House

At first, Hugh was concerned, but their sheer determination proved him wrong. They worked night and day, carefully restoring the windows, preserving historic glass, and uncovering hidden architectural gems.

Their dedication shows that with hard work, friends, and a little luck, you can create your dream home—no matter the odds.

You can follow their full journey here.

For medieval reenactors Gordon and Liz, restoring a castle wasn’t just about a home—it was about recreating history.

They used traditional methods, even sourcing sustainable oak trees and cutting them down the way it would have been done centuries ago. Gathering a community of skilled volunteers, they turned what was nearly a ruin into a living, breathing piece of history.

Today, Sigginstown Castle isn’t just standing—it’s thriving, filled with character, warmth, and a deep connection to the past.

You can see the castle come back to life here.

Ronan and Charles fell in love with an 18th-century rectory, but they quickly discovered the scale of their challenge.

By the time The Great House Revival team arrived, they’d already spent everything they had just keeping the structure upright. But through sheer determination, they painstakingly restored the house, working with local conservation officers to secure grants for the windows, walls, and exterior lime rendering.

Their meticulous attention to detail transformed Kilglass House into a vibrant, colourful oasis—proving that even the most precarious buildings can be saved with patience, passion, and planning.

You can watch the full episode here.

One of the most unexpected restoration stories belongs to Bead, an Australian living in Perth who bought a 110-room mansion—without ever having set foot in Ireland.

Originally a seminary and later a boarding school, Ballinafad House was in serious disrepair. Bead’s vision was to create both a home and a wedding venue, and his journey has been one of sheer perseverance.

From laying thousands of parquet floor pieces by hand to tackling the immense challenge of bringing the building back to life, his story is one of passion, skill, and an unwavering commitment to preserving history.

Watch here to see this mansion house rescued from ruin.

These remarkable restorations prove that old buildings aren’t just relics of the past—they’re sustainable homes for the future.

Craughwell Cottage

The Great House Revival celebrates the dreamers, the risk-takers, and the visionaries who refuse to let history fade away, ensuring that these extraordinary spaces continue to stand for generations to come.

Watch the series here!