Ruin To Retreat

Once abandoned, this Wicklow cottage, restored by Thomas Murphy, is now the perfect blend of tradition and modern comfort.

Situated in the small village of Kilquiggan, Co. Wicklow, Maher’s Cottage is a home with a long history. Once part of a thriving rural community with its own school, church, and shop, Kilquiggan gradually declined during the famine years and through later waves of emigration. The village that had once supported families, farm workers, and tradespeople fell quieter, and over time many of its cottages slipped into disrepair. Maher’s Cottage, as the property is known locally, was abandoned for more than twelve years before being taken on by Thomas and Rita Murphy. Thomas saw both the history and potential of the building. Having previously restored another cottage in the same village, he understood the practical challenges involved. Drawing on that experience, he set out to bring Maher’s Cottage back into use as a rental property while retaining as much of its original character as possible. His goal was to respect the period charm of a traditional Wicklow cottage but adapt it for comfortable, modern living.

Read more in the October issue…