Couple behind wonderful Tipperary restoration project praises local community for support

A stunning Tipperary house restoration project made a huge impression on the Home of the Year judges and the public.
The home, located in Fethard and lovingly restored by Claire and Seán Fox, featured in the first episode of Home of the Year on RTÉ that returned for its 11th season last week.

The Tipperary home came out on top in the opening episode and was sent forward to the final without hesitation from the impressed judges who were full of admiration for the project.

In the heart of Tipperary, Claire and Seán Fox restored a cherished piece of local history - a former 1860s shop - into a warm and inviting home.

In an extended version of the programme on RTÉ Player Claire and Sean spoke about their masterpiece.
“It is full of love and work and I am very proud of it,” said Claire.
Her brother sent the couple a picture of the house when it was on the market as a joke.

READ NEXT -  Take a look inside the stunning home restored by Claire and Sean

“We had found a house within our budget. We had to gut a lot of it as there was a lot of damage over the years. When we moved in we had just a bathroom, a room and half a kitchen,” said Claire.

She praised her father for helping them with the project.
“Me and my Dad did most of the work.

“Only for him it would have cost a lot more,” she said.
“Mrs Ahearn had the shop, it was a restaurant. She fed most of Fethard including some celebrities like Joe Dolan and Dickie Rock,” said Claire.

“We bought most of the stuff second hand, people still think it is a shop,” said Sean.
“People are calling in all the time telling us about their memories of the shop,” said Claire.
Both Claire and Sean said they greatly appreciated the support of the community since they came to Fethard a few years ago.

The judges were gushing in their praise and said their journey reflected true Tipperary spirit, craftsmanship and a deep respect for heritage.

The couple purchased the property in 2020 and, with careful planning, began renovations the following year.
Determined to preserve the building’s character, they blended historic charm with modern comfort, all while championing sustainability.

Local ingenuity shines through every detail. With help from Claire’s retired engineer father, they transformed a copper water cylinder into a striking kitchen backsplash and converted an old bunk bed into unique kitchen cabinets.

MASTERPIECE
From repurposed dressers to original shop spindles, the home is a tribute to Tipperary’s tradition of creativity and resilience.
For Claire and Seán, their home is a personal masterpiece - a celebration of Tipperary heritage and the joy of crafting something truly their own.