This farmhouse, deep in Ireland’s wilderness, has been carefully treasured within the King family for over 160 years. A place that has seen cows milked, children born, and brothers and sisters raised within its very walls. Under the stewardship of the latest generation – who have transformed it into a luxury wellness destination – the theme of repair here is prevalent: Drift Farmhouse has been restored so that it too holds the power to restore.
“My family have been living and farming at this property since the 1860s, and are from one valley traceable back to the 1780s,” the owner notes. So, honouring this heritage and respecting its roots were essential during the next chapter of this unique home’s story. The structure has been carefully transfigured, including the old house’s former kitchen and living room reworked into generous bedrooms – one with a luxury bathtub in the window overlooking the garden. “The present-day kitchen was a two story outhouse,” he adds .“It was common to the area – with stables for animals downstairs and a loft on the second floor for storing winter food for them.” Physical nods to its past life appear throughout, such as agricultural tools that have been cleverly staged on walls to pose as commemorative sculptures.
The way family life has shaped this home is also clear: the spacious kitchen and dining room seem to flow endlessly through the ground floor. Core to this space is the kitchen island, complete with a hob ripe for braising Irish stew, and bar stools for those looking to sneak cheeky spoonfuls when the designated chef has their back turned. “This home was a typical household with ten children born in the 1940s and 1950s,” the owner explains. “This was the second generation raised in the old house, with the previous two generations raised in a cottage at the front. The motivation of the renovation was to preserve a place of great importance to the family, and to ensure the legacy of the King family in Corderrybane for many years to come.”
The real wow factor of this home though is seeing its metamorphosis into a luxury spa – particularly when you know of its old, muddy roots. Here, eyes are drawn to the water encased in textured concrete and enormous Apex windows that spill sunshine onto limewashed walls. “I used to do triathlons,” the owner notes. “So encompassing facilities in line with my sporty disposition was important.” Instead of a standard swimming pool, the owner opted for a cutting-edge Endless Pool – where you swim against a current – with its own underwater treadmill; making this a space for relaxing morning swims, yes, but also for injury rehabilitation for those so inclined. Alongside this, there’s a sauna, outdoor hot tub and studio space for gym sessions or yoga classes: an oasis for those looking to completely unwind and restore.
“For me, it’s the year-round functionality that makes Drift Farmhouse so appealing,” says the owner. “Inside, there is so much to do. Or of course taking advantage of the beautiful surroundings, in a unique glaciated drumlin landscape. For us, scrabble was always the game of the house, played multiple times per day by my mother in her later life. And this tradition continues today. It is all about quality time away from the bustle of the world.”
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