House of the week

THERE’s house renovations — and then there’s this Raheen job, a real labour of love.

Bought as an old-fashioned two-up, two-down in 2003 by a US/Irish couple, this west Cork house and gardens had just had a simple makeover by a single male previous owner after it had lain idle for 20 years.

Having moved in, the current owners found themselves falling over one another in their need for extra space, so committed to extending in 2004. At the same time, they got stuck into the garden, where the 1.5 acres had bolted to weed and briar, and 6’ high and boundaries were lost off in the distance.