The couple gave themselves one year and a budget of €130,000 to complete the restoration and renovation of the four-bedroom Georgian property, whose façade is protected, called Parson’s HouseNewlyweds Mary-Claire Waters and Sean Sully Sullivan purchased a north Cork property that dates back to the 1830s and transformed it while still managing to come €40,000 under budget.
The couple gave themselves one year and a budget of €130,000 to complete the restoration and renovation of the four-bedroom Georgian property, whose façade is protected, called Parson’s House.“These structures tell of our past and offer sustainable solutions for today’s housing needs,” says Hugh, adding that the property is a “delightful but demanding building”.
Parson’s House had been left empty for a decade, but its ideal location was enough to sell the couple on the dream. “It was a bit like shopping for a wedding dress — you think you’re looking for one thing and then you fall in love with something different,” said Mary-Claire. “We actually said we didn’t care if an engineer comes out, and if the house is made of lollipop sticks, we’re going to buy it anyway — so we didn’t actually get one” she says.Along with the help of friends and family, Mary-Claire and Sully got down to business and did much of the themselves, saving wherever possible along the way.