RTÉ Home of the Year: Inside the forest house that won top prize

'Never in our wildest dreams could we have imagined ourselves near this position before we embarked on our build six years ago'

Rob and Janice McConnell. Pictures: Joe McCallion

Rob and Janice McConnell's architectural new build, steeped in woodland, with sea views and a river running through the garden, was a popular choice as Home of the Year 2023. 

It made for a satisfying end to the viewers' voyage to see the owners of the forest haven in County Antrim take home the overall prize in the RTÉ One finale on Tuesday night. After all, we've tracked the judging trio of Hugh Wallace, Amanda Bone, and Sara Cosgrove on their eight-week odyssey across Ireland as they've stepped beyond 200 front doors.