Inside RTÉ Home of the Year 2026 — and why it's pick of the bunch

And check out the two runners-up, the 'magical' gate lodge and 'serene' Dublin city-centre apartment

Tue, 21 Apr, 2026 - 19:34

Eve Kelliher

Its seamless connection between indoors and outdoors has meant a Kildare property is the pick of the bunch as it took the title Home of the Year 2026.

Back in 2005, its owners, Lorcan Burke and Adrian Sharpe, set out to build their “forever home” on family land.

Inspired by two traditional farm-style buildings, as they worked with their architect, they little imagined the residence would earn the top honours in the grand finale of the 12th series of the RTÉ One show.

Open-plan living space in Lorcan and Adrian's home. P

The couple are both passionate about horticulture, floristry and interior design, and so created their garden to be an extension of their home.

Adrian, a horticulturalist manager and plant buyer at The Orchard, Cellbridge, Co Kildare, and Lorcan, who owns a floristry business, Absolutely Fabulous Flowers, have ensured beautiful planting and hidden rooms (such as a tearoom) make the absolute most of the space. “Can I just say when I walked around your house, I knew it was the winner?” judge Hugh Wallace confides in them following the announcement after his and his fellow judges’ deliberations in Palmerstown, Co Meath.

“I have to say I was smitten by this home. I believe this home is a worthy winner of Home of the Year.”

The couple adore spending time in their outdoor room.

His fellow judge and architect, Amanda Bone, agrees: “For me, they’re the Home of the Year because when I stepped into their home, I felt pure joy. What a winner.”

The botanical house “feels authentic, it’s playful, it’s joyful, and it successfully combines a variety of styles”, she adds.

A gate lodge in Co Down and a “serene” Dublin apartment were the runners-up. Hugh describes the apartment as “serene”, and judge and interior designer Siobhán Lam says the “magical, storybook” feel of the gate lodge is an inspiration.

For the first time, each judge was awarded one golden key to use throughout the series, to select one home to bring a runner-up from an episode, straight through to the final. This resulted in 10 finalists, rather than the previous seven in the previous series. “Ten finalists that represent Irish creativity,” says Siobhán.

Series 12 of Home of the Year was completed before Hugh Wallace’s death. Hugh had been a judge on the programme since its inception and, noted producers, “will be remembered for his warmth and humour, and for consistently capturing the hearts of viewers”.

Ahead of broadcast, Hugh’s colleagues from the show said that watching the finale would be what Siobhán describes as a “bittersweet” experience.

And the camera pans to joyful moments during filming, showing Hugh in typically exuberant form, having fun with the team and his fellow judges.

As the 2026 episode concludes, Hugh notes: “It’s fabulous, wonderful — everyone feels so excited about Home of the Year and the winners are amazing — as are all of the houses.”

Siobhán adds: “Home of the Year is creative, it’s inspirational, it’s all about love, and you can feel it in the room tonight.”

Runner-up: Gate lodge, Co Down

Tara’s former gate lodge in Co Down was a runner-up.

Prior to renovating, the building hadn’t been lived in for over 30 years, and the renovation process was extensive, as the cottage had no running water or electricity, with the ceiling on the verge of collapse.

The house was gutted entirely and has now been transformed into a cosy cottage featuring a blend of traditional and fun elements. “I have no doubt that this homeowner loves to live in this cottage – because I would,” says Hugh.

Siobhán adds: “I left this home feeling inspired.”

Runner-up: Apartment, Dublin

Karen and Paul live in an apartment located in the heart of Dublin city. The house was completely functional and ready to live in when Karen first bought it. She felt that it needed updating and a new lease of life and decided to renovate.

The couple have now transformed the apartment by creating an open-plan layout with a real sense of space and flow.

Karen whose 'serene' Dublin apartment was runner-up.

The interior design of the home is bright, modern and neutral with a rustic, earthy edge, and they describe the space as “a mix between the relaxed charm of a countryside retreat with the practicality and polish of a Dublin city apartment”.

Hugh says: “I think what’s done in the apartment was inspirational.” Amanda adds: The homeowners here created a tranquil retreat from the chaos of the city centre outside.”