Castleacre specialises in protecting period properties, heritage houses, and protected structures. We know just how much hard work and time the owners invest in looking after these buildings, breathing life into them and helping them remain integral to Ireland’s cultural and community history.

Each month, we will focus on the story behind one of these beautiful character homes. We start with an exceptional restoration project – Dromdiah House in Cork.

How an extraordinary couple took on the impossible task of reviving a derelict Landmark in Cork

Last year, the owners of Dromdiah House in County Cork, Malcolm and Bridget Sparrow, were the worthy winners of the prestigious Historic Houses of Ireland O’Flynn Group Heritage Award, following a 10-year restoration project which was definitely not for the faint-hearted. When the couple made the brave decision to take on Dromdiah House, it had been neglected for more than half a century.

Originally built in the early 1830s for Roger Green Davis, the land agent for Sir Arthur Capell de Brooke, the architect is unknown, but the design has been attributed to William Dean Butler and John Edward Jones. The house boasted grand Doric columns, elegant stonework and architectural features, and a large walled garden, but had fallen into complete disrepair after changing hands over several generations. When the Sparrows first saw it, it was without a roof, doors, or windows and, echoing the Sleeping Beauty fairy tale, entirely overgrown with vegetation and trees.

So what was the motivation for taking on such a daunting project? Malcolm and his wife, both passionate about Georgian architecture, had worked overseas for several years and were looking for an Irish adventure in retirement.

Malcom Sparrow explains:

 ‘Location was very important. My wife’s family is from East Cork, which was the area we focused our search on. We were working in America at the time, and we were ready for something different. I’m very hands-on and was looking forward to getting my teeth into a project. We had been looking for quite some time, and one day, buried on an auctioneer’s website, we came across Dromdiah House– we were entranced!’

The Sparrows have had many highs and lows over the last decade of restoration, but they hope to finally move into Dromdiah this spring, admitting they had no idea how long it would take to bring the house back to its former glory. Clearing the overgrown vegetation and debris revealed the bone structure of the house, the quality of its architecture and stonework, and the views. This was an inspiring moment for the couple, matched with an undoubted sense of relief:

‘At this point, it could have gone either way,’ continues Malcolm. ‘We could have uncovered a derelict building that was beyond repair, but we knew we had something pretty special on our hands. The basic structure was sound, we knew then we could move forward.’

The first major setback came just as the Sparrows embarked on serious structural works.

‘After a long period of planning, we had just brought in a builder when Covid struck. Unlike the UK, all construction came to a halt in Ireland. Ultimately, the builders did a great job for us, but that initial phase took much longer than any of us expected.’ says Malcolm.

With so many construction projects delayed in Ireland, the aftermath of the pandemic has made it difficult to secure skilled craftspeople to complete some finishing details. Malcom explains:

‘The final piece of the jigsaw is the internal joinery, and we are nearly there.’

At times, the restoration and revival of Dromdiah has been torturous, but Malcolm and Bridget have never lost their determination to bring this extraordinary property back to life. When building work on the main house came to a standstill, the couple turned their attention to the large Coach House and Walled Garden, which are now both fully restored, and they hope others will enjoy Dromdiah’s story when they open the coach house for holiday lets.

The work and the effort that the Sparrows and their extraordinary team of builders have invested in this landmark house has certainly been noticed.

Robert O’Bryne, renowned writer and lecturer on architecture and decorative arts, beautifully described their Herculean endeavour in the Irish Aesthete:

‘..provided sufficient determination and imagination exist, no building is beyond salvation. Dromdiah deserves to be held up as an example of what can – and should be done in this country.’

Castleacre Insurance’s Associate Director, Judy Ryan says:

‘I am lucky enough at Castleacre to work with some super clients. Bridget and Malcolm have shown extraordinary courage and real vision to see this project through. Living at Dromdiah House should give them an extraordinary sense of achievement. ‘