Building on the demand for cheap Irish homes
Back when 'Cheap Irish Homes' started broadcasting on RTÉ in April 2020, renovating derelict houses was still something people had to be convinced about, according to series host Maggie Molloy.
Molloy told Agriland: "It was looked on back then as a step backwards, or some kind of last resort. Now there’s an enthusiasm and sense of adventure about it that is lovely to see."
There has been a significant change in Irish people’s attitudes to renovating derelict houses recently, according to Maggie.
"Right now it’s looked on quite favourably to be saving an old house instead of building something new, especially with the grants available to purchasers," she explained.
So are more farmers renovating derelict houses on their land or is the the trend for new builds still evident?
"I find it depends a lot on the younger generation in each farming family," Maggie said.
"Nowadays you’ve a good chance there will be one son or daughter, or even a grown grandchild, who will be open to taking on the old house on the farm.
"The older cottages weren’t usually very big, so they don’t suit everyone, but absolutely, the younger ones know the cost of a new build and I think they also appreciate more how lucky they are to have a house at their disposal."
Maggie said while she acknowleges the need for new builds, renovations will also have their benefits.
"I think there will always be the need for new builds. It’s just nice to see farmers, especially ones who are limited when it comes to building on their own land, having a bit of a chance to keep their family members close to home and in the community they were raised in," she said.
"I think the grants have changed the conversation around renovating old houses.
"Where once I would be bombarded with the old chestnut: 'It would be cheaper to knock that and rebuild, than to renovate it'. The grant money has stopped all that.
"It was never true in the first place, but I think the notion of getting up to €70,000 to contribute to the renovation bill has eased a lot of people's minds. They feel now that the scale has tipped in their favour. And to be honest, it has," Maggie said.
In some ways, Maggie is not surprised at the success of her programmes.
"I always had a great love for old houses, especially the cheaper ones, and I was convinced that if people just knew they existed and were encouraged more to purchase them, then they would love them just as much as I did," she said.
"On the other hand, am I surprised at my success on these programmes? 100%. I still can’t believe this television presenting has turned into a career for me. It’s completely mind-blowing."
She is full steam ahead right now fitting out an old co-op in her hometown of Carnew, Co. Wicklow as a vintage store, planned to open this summer.
"It has taken time to find the right building, but this was the one I had my heart set on a few years ago so I’m delighted we ended up here," she said.
"On my travels around old cottages and farmhouses I see so many lifetimes of belongings just rotting away or ultimately being sent to landfill because house buyers and sellers just don’t know what to do with them.
"I want to save them all, find new homes for them, give them away, buy them, sell them, anything that can just honour the people whose whole lives were lived using these things everyday.
"I’ve been known to do a midnight run to save an old dresser from a man with an axe, So if I can save it at all, I will."
The production company behind the 'Cheap Irish Homes' series, AV3 Media, is currently on the lookout for house hunters, so whether you’re a young couple searching for a budget-friendly first abode, a family needing more space, or someone looking for a property to downsize into, the team is keen to help.
The new series will be shown in the autumn. For more details on how to apply, visit the AV3 Media website.
