A Derry home is through to the final of RTE’s Home of the Year.
Olivia and Kieran McDaid’s historic Georgian rectory appeared on episode three of the TV series on Tuesday night, with their home being the second NI home through to the final next month.
The property was built in 1774 and the couple purchased it in 2020.
READ MORE: Inside Co Tyrone property through to final of RTE Home of the Year
RTE said: “The building had been in use by the Church of Ireland since 1774 and Kieran and Olivia were delighted to find it in relatively good condition. They replaced some flooring ceilings on the ground floor and breathed new life into the interior.
“Olivia and Kieran were heavily inspired by their travels and filled their family home with an eclectic mix of period pieces and items from abroad. They love the architecture, period features and high ceilings throughout their home and feel that these features lend themselves well to their bold and beautiful sense of style.”
Having lived abroad for many years, Kieran said: “We both decided that we’d like to come back to Ireland and we purchased this house in March 2020.
“We’ve restored almost every room in this house. As you go around, you’ll see some very interesting wallpaper choices.”
Olivia said: “It was just everything we wanted. The fields, the trees, Georgian architecture which I absolutely love.
She added how the master bathroom is her favourite spot in their home, and said: “[It] was the final room in the house that we did so we really let loose – the colours, the patterns, the textures.
“The view out of the window is really lovely, you can see all the trees and you get a glorious sunset. It’s just a really nice place to come and relax.”
In episode three of Home of the Year, a 1930s renovated bungalow in Dublin and a self-build in Co Cork also featured.
In each episode, looking for ‘individuality, functionality, and clever design’, the three judges each score the homes out of 10.
Olivia and Kieran’s home received two scores of 9, and a score of 7, totalling 25, the highest scoring property of the episode.
The Derry home is now through to the final in April, when the winner will be crowned. Last week, Peter Carvill’s gate lodge in Co Tyrone got through to the final.
Home of the Year continues on RTÉ One and RTÉ Player on Tuesday at 8.30pm.
Check out Olivia and Kieran’s home in our gallery below! Photo credits: RTE.
Kieran and Olivia with their young daughter
(Image: RTE)