
See inside this ‘hidden gem' Clare home designed by former ‘Home of the Year' finalist
The five-bed house, measuring just under mansion-qualifying square footage, lies in between Cratloe and Sixmilebridge, and sits on approximately one-acre of land.
The home is within walking distance of Cratloe's well-known woodland areas, while maintaining peace and seclusion.
Lisney Sotheby's International Realty has listed this literal hidden gem of the Banner County with uninterrupted views of the Shannon River and the rolling countryside beyond, describing it as a 'showcase of award-winning architectural design, natural light, and expansive, thoughtfully planned accommodation'.
'This home represents a rare opportunity to acquire a unique contemporary property that perfectly balances architecture, lifestyle, and location,' the listing reads. 'Whether for a family, a creative professional, or someone seeking an inspiring retreat with urban access, this residence is sure to impress.'
Hillbrook House was designed by renowned architect Kostas Wootis, a Greek visionary now residing in the same county as this property.
Wootis famously won his episode of Home of the Year in 2018, advancing to the show's final.
Much like his own home, Hillbrook House brings nature into the home – with large windows, an atrium, a stunning wood-panelled balcony, and foliage galore transforming this home into a mini botanical garden.
While boasting exquisite architecture and divine views, the home is also perfectly suited for family, with a large garden and living room area providing the perfect space for roaming little ones.
'Occupying a beautifully landscaped one-acre site, the property stands out not only for its striking appearance but for the intelligence and innovation behind every detail,' the listing says. 'With clean lines, extensive glazing, and a commanding presence, the home blends contemporary design with functional elegance. Every room has been considered to optimise the site's elevated positioning and to connect harmoniously with the outdoor environment.'
'At the heart of the home lies a dramatic triple-height atrium—a show-stopping feature that defines the architectural character of the interior,' the listing continues. 'This spectacular space floods the home with natural light, enhancing the sense of volume and offering uninterrupted vertical sightlines that contribute to the overall feeling of openness and tranquillity.'
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The accommodation is generous and versatile, comprising of what Lisney Sotheby's International Realty has described as:
'An open-flow primary living area connecting a stunning modern kitchen, elegant dining area, and comfortable lounge space, all oriented toward panoramic views.
Oversized glass doors lead directly to a sun terrace, ideal for alfresco dining, entertaining, or simply soaking in the breath-taking landscape.
Four spacious double bedrooms, each with expansive windows offering natural light and impressive views.
A fifth room, currently used as a study, offers flexibility to serve as a guest bedroom, office, or creative space.
The master suite enjoys its own private outlook, built-in storage, and a luxurious ensuite bathroom.'
The property's large basement creates even further potential for this property – with the layout allowing plenty of privacy, while maintaining easy access to the main living area.
Currently, the basement contains a music studio and an additional storage space, however it is fully adaptable and could easily accommodate guest accommodation, a granny flat, a cinema room, a home office, or a fully equipped gym.
Outside, the property features a garage with internal access, a driveway with plenty of room for hosting, and extensive manicured lawns.

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The Irish Sun
2 days ago
- The Irish Sun
Corfu hotel hits back Brit gran who moaned about lack of ‘English food'…& says she even made complaint about the WEATHER
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Now the hotel's manager, Makis Triantafyllos, has hit back - alleging Susan's complaints were a ruse to money back. read more in world news He told The Sun: "From the very beginning of her stay, [Susan] demonstrated clear intent to fabricate complaints in pursuit of financial compensation, going as far as to complain about the weather." He alleged she demanded to know from the staff: "Why is it raining?" The manager claimed Susan's attitude had been "sarcastic and dismissive" to staff who did their best to accommodate her. The hotelier also fiercely defended the menu, saying the food service is "generous and diverse, offering fresh salads, fruits, hot and cold dishes daily". Most read in The Sun He fumed that Susan's account of the food was "entirely false and disrespectful to our culinary staff". And as for the "no English food" dig - Makis said the Sun Hotel offers "world-renowned and beloved Mediterranean cuisine" with other options tailored to guests' preferences - including those from the UK. Moment Brit passenger hauled off Ryanair flight heading to Corfu after mid-air brawl as plane forced to divert to Italy The spat continued over the issue of room keys. Susan said she'd asked for a second key for her daughter because she herself gets tired in the afternoons and likes to pop back for a lie down. She said the hotel told her: "No, too expensive." However, Makis said Susan was given a second room key but that it was "revoked after it was used solely to keep the electricity running - leaving the air conditioning on 24 hours a day, even with open windows and the room unoccupied." 8 The Lido Corfu Sun Hotel said it has a 'generous and diverse' menu Credit: Lido Corfu Sun 8 The hotel said it had 'many loyal, returning guests' Credit: Lido Corfu Sun 8 A pool is at the centre of the all-inclusive retreat, which hosts three events each week Credit: Lido Corfu Sun This behaviour, he explained, "violates our sustainability and energy policies". Susan also took aim at the hotel's facilities, claiming there was no entertainment at the site, which is "stuck in the middle of nowhere". She said trek down to the private beach was too steep to navigate. The hotel said the beach is "approximately 300 meters away, accessible via a path that is clearly described", and that it "hosts three weekly evening events by the pool ". But it was the food and drink that most riled the bee in Susan's bonnet. She said: "On a morning you could have toast, a hard-boiled egg, or something in sauce. "For breakfast there was mozzarella and sliced tomatoes. There was no hot bacon or sausage. "We got chips one day. One day out of the whole lot. 8 The hotel boasts stunning coastal views Credit: Lido Corfu Sun 8 Corfu is extremely popular amongst Brit holidaymakers for its gorgeous coastline and bonny weather Credit: GETTY images "There was fish, sardines and rice - I was sick to death of looking at rice. "There was pasta and salads, none of this was marked [labelled]. "One night there was a Greek night and they had kebabs, I couldn't eat that." The 69-year-old has to be careful with what she eats, as she has a condition called ulcerative colitis - a long-term inflammatory bowel disease. 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Irish Independent
2 days ago
- Irish Independent
See inside this ‘hidden gem' Clare home designed by former ‘Home of the Year' finalist
The five-bed house, measuring just under mansion-qualifying square footage, lies in between Cratloe and Sixmilebridge, and sits on approximately one-acre of land. The home is within walking distance of Cratloe's well-known woodland areas, while maintaining peace and seclusion. Lisney Sotheby's International Realty has listed this literal hidden gem of the Banner County with uninterrupted views of the Shannon River and the rolling countryside beyond, describing it as a 'showcase of award-winning architectural design, natural light, and expansive, thoughtfully planned accommodation'. 'This home represents a rare opportunity to acquire a unique contemporary property that perfectly balances architecture, lifestyle, and location,' the listing reads. 'Whether for a family, a creative professional, or someone seeking an inspiring retreat with urban access, this residence is sure to impress.' Hillbrook House was designed by renowned architect Kostas Wootis, a Greek visionary now residing in the same county as this property. Wootis famously won his episode of Home of the Year in 2018, advancing to the show's final. Much like his own home, Hillbrook House brings nature into the home – with large windows, an atrium, a stunning wood-panelled balcony, and foliage galore transforming this home into a mini botanical garden. While boasting exquisite architecture and divine views, the home is also perfectly suited for family, with a large garden and living room area providing the perfect space for roaming little ones. 'Occupying a beautifully landscaped one-acre site, the property stands out not only for its striking appearance but for the intelligence and innovation behind every detail,' the listing says. 'With clean lines, extensive glazing, and a commanding presence, the home blends contemporary design with functional elegance. Every room has been considered to optimise the site's elevated positioning and to connect harmoniously with the outdoor environment.' 'At the heart of the home lies a dramatic triple-height atrium—a show-stopping feature that defines the architectural character of the interior,' the listing continues. 'This spectacular space floods the home with natural light, enhancing the sense of volume and offering uninterrupted vertical sightlines that contribute to the overall feeling of openness and tranquillity.' ADVERTISEMENT The accommodation is generous and versatile, comprising of what Lisney Sotheby's International Realty has described as: 'An open-flow primary living area connecting a stunning modern kitchen, elegant dining area, and comfortable lounge space, all oriented toward panoramic views. Oversized glass doors lead directly to a sun terrace, ideal for alfresco dining, entertaining, or simply soaking in the breath-taking landscape. Four spacious double bedrooms, each with expansive windows offering natural light and impressive views. A fifth room, currently used as a study, offers flexibility to serve as a guest bedroom, office, or creative space. The master suite enjoys its own private outlook, built-in storage, and a luxurious ensuite bathroom.' The property's large basement creates even further potential for this property – with the layout allowing plenty of privacy, while maintaining easy access to the main living area. Currently, the basement contains a music studio and an additional storage space, however it is fully adaptable and could easily accommodate guest accommodation, a granny flat, a cinema room, a home office, or a fully equipped gym. Outside, the property features a garage with internal access, a driveway with plenty of room for hosting, and extensive manicured lawns.


Irish Independent
2 days ago
- Irish Independent
Quaint cottage in Wicklow village is transformed into a high-end wine store
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