Germany has voted and the exit polls show opposition leader Friedrich Merz and his Conservative Party on course for a lackluster victory in Sundays election. Alternative for Germany, or AfD, scored the best result for...
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AN “ECCENTRIC” couple transformed a cow-house into a “magnificent” home on The Great House Revival.
Renowned architect Hugh Wallace returned on air to transform derelict and unloved properties into stunning dream homes.
In this new series, Hugh guides viewers through a diverse range of restoration projects in the Irish countryside, from Cork to Clare.
For the third episode of the new series, Hugh headed to Roscommon to meet Dublin-based architects Fiona Brugha and Paddy Dunne.
The couple found a substantial 1870s colonnaded stone building, which was once the cowhouse belonging to the vast Rockingham Estate, nestled in the dense forest of Lough Key.
They planned on turning the thick stone walled ruin into a contemporary family home for themselves and their two small children.
The defining feature was the row of tall arches running the full length of the building, which gave most rooms in the house a view of the surrounding forest.
They purchased the property for less than €100,000 and had a budget for the works of €350,000 but a restoration project among the trees didn’t come without challenges.
With the help of Hugh, Fiona and Paddy worked around the old building’s quirks to construct their sleek dream home in the forest.
After months of waiting, they finally got word at the end of March 2023 that the steel was on the way to get up and running.
The couple had patiently waited and hoped that a nearby cedar wood tree in the forest that surrounded the property would fall so they could use it.
And they got exactly what they wanted right in time after a storm knocked the tree down and they got to use the timber in their home.
During the building process, Hugh urged the couple to insulate the home properly and shared the bleak realities of what will happen if they don’t.
However, Paddy said that he didn’t know if insulating the walls was “necessary”.
Eleven bespoke windows were installed in July 2024 and they came into trouble due to the weather conditions.
After a quick trip to get a special tool, they fixed their slight problem.
However, one of the custom-cut window glasses completely shattered during installation.
And while the window company agreed to replace the pane, it was still an unfortunate set back to the couple’s move in plans.
After years of hard work, they finally finished their renovations and invited Hugh back into their new home to see the finished look.
20 months after first visiting it as a a ruined and roofless cow-house, Hugh couldn’t quite believe how “amazing” it looked.
Hugh approached the build via the new drive through the developing “wild garden” and commented on the stunning “glazed arches” that he said delivered elegance.
He added: “Through the innovative glazed pivot front door I go and inside my breath is taken away. Wow. I think it’s stunning.”
The fallen tree provided for the timber-like feature on the ceilings which Hugh admitted he had thought the idea was “nuts” prior but it brought a “surprising softness and cathedral elevation”.
Paddy jokingly replied: “Maybe it is nuts, but we like it.”
The original floor was put back in after installing under floor heating.
Hugh remarked: “This floor looks great.”
The pair explained that they had “fun” picking out individual fossils for the floor, including 380 million year old oysters.
Hugh commented: “They’re fabulous, aren’t they? I would expect nothing less than hand selected fossil flooring from this fabulously eccentric family. Everything in this home is architectural.
“But then it’s balanced against furniture which is comfortable. And to me, it’s very soft.”
However, Hugh was still concerned with the house’s heat and as he walked into the master bedroom he asked: “When’s the insulation going up?”
He added: “It’s funny when you come into this room you can feel the temperature drop.”
Fiona replied: “It is cooler… no harm.”
Hugh responded: “Funny, you can see the line of damp.”
Fiona added: “We might inject DPC if the damp doesn’t go down.”
RTE viewers were all blown away by the property and also expressed concern over the insulation.
Margaret wrote: “What a fabulous home they have created on #thegreathouserevival. Every detail has been thought through. I wish them a lifetime of happiness in their home.”
Olivia tweeted: “Love it, although I’d love to know how it really functions in cold weather with the air to water and just the stone walls.”
Patrick remarked: “Wow, it looks amazing.”
Philip said: “Bloody hell – it’s gorgeous!”
Diarmud added: “Absolutely stunning show tonight in #thegreathouserevival. The cow house turned into a family home is magnificent. Wonder have the sorted potential heat loss issues yet though?“
Betty commented: “Beautiful but I feel they made a mistake by not insulating etc.”
DWTS host Doireann Garrihy has sent fans into a frenzy over her jaw-dropping look on TV tonight.
The popular presenter was back on screens last night alongside her usual co-host Jennifer Zamparelli for another episode of glitz and glam.
Newlywed Doireann stepped out in an appropriatly glamorous dress for Orchestra Night on Dancing With The Stars.
The presenter spent the night at “Doireann’s Den”, where she interviewed contestants after their performances.
The 32-year-old sported a stunning mini-black sheer dress, that’s price-tag will set you back quite a bit!
Doireann’s fabulous frock had floral detailing and a round neckline.
The dress was from Bronx and Banco, and retailed on Revolve’s website for the eye-watering price of €687.
Doireann paired the dress with some black lace heels from Mantra footwear.
She rounded off her glamorous on-air style by wearing her hair down in loose curls and donned a stunning shimmery make-up look.
Doireann posed in the stylish frock in her “den” and posted the stunning snaps to her Instagram.
Showing off her stunning work look, she wrote: “Orchestra Night. As magical as ever.
“Hate to see you go @gearoidfarrelly , the gent that you are.Thanks as always to the best team.”
Friends and fans were quick to her comment section to gush over her look for tonight’s show.
Doireann’s sister Aoibhinn said: “What a look.”
Arthur Gourounlian commented: “Like a little porcelain doll.”
Anne remarked: “Gorgeous gorgeous girl.”
Another fan added: “Glowing!”
It’s been a busy weekend for the RTE star, as tomorrow marks her first day back on air since leaving 2FM last summer.
Before coming back to the airwaves, Doireann appeared on the Late Late Show.
The Down comic was joined at the top of the show by Doireann where she started off by discussing her return to RTE 2FM.
She said: “I had done four years of breakfast, ten years of kind of mad busyness, and I just needed a bit of a break, and so I took a leap of faith and took a break.
“I never could have anticipated how much I would miss it. I knew I would miss it. I just didn’t think I would miss it as much with the year as it was kind of planned out. I knew what I had coming up. I was obviously getting married.”
TASHA Ghouri looked strictly sensational as she stepped out for a party night.
The Love Island and Strictly Come Dancing star was in hot pants for Cultured Magazine’s bash in London Fashion Week.
She also wore a retro basketball jumper and knee-high boots for the after-party.
Tasha, 26, was in good spirits despite her split from boyfriend Andrew Le Page — and flak from trolls over their pet dog.
Earlier this week Tasha took to Instagram to address the backlash, revealing that Andrew, who has returned to his parents’ home in Guernsey, had made the decision to leave Luna with her in the UK as he wasn’t able to take the pup with him.
Tasha wrote on Instagram: “Since there’s so many horrible messages I’ve got about taking Luna off Andrew—first off, she is our dog who we got together.
“He is in Guernsey & decided to leave Luna here with me as he couldn’t take her, it wasn’t ideal.
“When he’s found a place back in the UK, we will be working out a way for both of us to see her.”
She also urged people to stop sending hateful messages to both her and Andrew, adding, “Break-ups happen in life, just because ours is in the public eye doesn’t make it any different.
“Spread kindness, also to Andrew because he’s also been getting messages.”
Tasha made it clear she won’t be commenting further on their relationship or Luna.
She said: “Thank you. I won’t be answering anymore on our relationship and Luna.”
Tasha revealed she was being trolled days after Andrew spoke about missing Luna on Snapchat.
Tearful Andrew told his fans “I miss her so much” after moving out of the former couple’s home.
And he’s finding the days spent without the pooch around particularly tough.
He said: “I’ve started this Snapchat about five times and keep choking up.
“She doesn’t even know it’s her birthday, but I miss her so much and hope to be with her again soon.
“Anyway, I’m going to stop talking about her otherwise I’ll keep choking up.”
He then turned his attention to his other dog, Willow, who he is doing his best to train.
Andrew also shared a short and sweet tribute to Luna on Instagram.
Beside a selfie of him smiling next to her, he wrote: “2 years old. Love you so much, more than you’ll ever know! Can’t wait to be with you again soon.”
Over the weekend, Andrew posted an emotional goodbye as he moved out of his shared house with Tasha.
The Sun revealed last month that the reality stars had called time on their relationship after three years.
It comes after reports Tasha had grown close to a Strictly co-star.
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GARY LINEKER was put into ‘Early retirement’ by Danny Murphy on Match of the Day.
The ex-Liverpool star was on punditry duty alongside Alan Shearer and the presenter on Saturday evening.
As they reacted to Arsenal’s home defeat to West Ham, Shearer and Murphy both agreed that the title race was done and the Premier League title is heading to Anfield.
Not putting up a defence for the Gunners’ title hopes, Lineker then quipped: “Perhaps not bother for the rest of the season.”
However, Murphy got a cackle out of Lineker when he retorted: “Early retirement?”
Back in November, it was announced Lineker is stepping down from presenting Match of the Day after 25 seasons.
He will be replaced by Kelly Cates, Mark Chapman, and Gabby Logan who will rotate the role.
Mikel Arteta’s side faint hopes of winning the Premier League further diminished on Sunday as Liverpool defeated Man City 2-0 at the Etihad.
The Reds extended their lead at the top to 11 points thanks to goals from Mo Salah and Dominik Szoboszlai.
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However, boss Arne Slot is not counting his chickens yet – despite Liverpool fans singing, “We’re going to win the league.”
The Dutch tactician said: “The fans can sing whatever they want, but we know how hard we have to play for every single win.
“So I don’t believe that [the title is won]. It’s so hard to judge the league table before every game has been played.
“If you play against City at the Etihad and win, it is always a big win, but three days ago we had a draw at Aston Villa and people told me we weren’t in a good place. Then three days later we win and it changes again.
“We know how hard it was to beat Wolves last week and we have Newcastle next after a 3-3 draw at Newcastle, so every game is difficult.
“In any other league, this lead would be comfortable, but not this one. Even the [FA Cup] game at Plymouth showed us that.”