The Great House Revival: See how Knocknagoshel man made his dream home a reality

'Kerry football could be in big trouble in 10 years' time', if we fail to revive rural Ireland, says Kieran Cotter. He tells Eve Kelliher about his passion for giving old buildings a new lease of life

The open-plan kitchen living area. Pictures: Miki Barlok

Renovating and moving into his grandmother’s one-time residence has been a dream come true for Kerry native Kieran Cotter.

The 27-year-old Knocknagoshel man has an attitude that’s curiously old-world but ultra-modern. “These houses are so lovely,” he says. “I think long ago, in my parents’ generation, those old houses were maybe associated with poverty, with a history of living off the land — but for us young people, we have a romantic view of self-sufficiency, it’s kind of coming back.”