Worth the Wait

Naoise and Brian finally got to build the house of their dreams in Dunshaughlin, County Meath and, as you will see, it was definitely worth the wait!

In 2009, training consultant Naoise moved with husband Brian and their two small children Fiach and Siún into a new home in Naoise’s native Dunshaughlin just for the year or so it would take them to build their own home. The best laid plans of mice and men… the family lived in the four bedroom semi in Dunshaughlin for eight years before moving into their very own new-build last October. ‘It took us a long time to get the house on site and although it was tough going sometimes, we learned a lot, and ended up building friendships as well as a house; the architect and builder both became friends for life after it all!’ says Naoise.

Although the couple had initiated the process of gaining planning permission to build on a plot on Naoise’s home place in 2009, the location of the site on the main street in the town created complications in the planning being granted. When permission was granted, the recession had overtaken events and the couple decided they would have to hold off until things improved. ‘The house didn’t go on site until 2017, but I had spent the intervening eight years thinking and dreaming,’ says Naoise. ‘I created mood boards; my favourites were based on peacocks and flamingos, inspired by the texture and sheen of the feathers which change colour as they move.’

Read more in the April issue…