Words by Julie Keary

Photography by Colin Thomas

Upstairs Downstairs Magazine 

Sister Act

Two stunning homes designed and built by two sisters sit on sites on the outskirts of Galway City. As families go, these siblings are extremely close, although they don't live on top of each other, they do live within a few kilometres from each other. Audrey and Sandra both grew up in the countryside, about 6 kilometres from the city. They both embraced country life, partaking in all sorts of country pursuits, most notably horse riding, as their Dad was very enthusiastic about pony riding, both his daughters pursued his love of horse riding. Only Sandra continued with it and made it her life's passion and work. Audrey went in a completely different direction. The call of Boston was way too strong, she spent many years there, where she worked in various jobs, as far removed from ponies and trekking as one could get. Sandra on the other hand took to the ponies and horses, which brought her all over Ireland working and competing. Now as happens in lots of family relationships, both girls made careers miles apart but their lives came full circle when they both found themselves back where they started at their family home which has now become Moycullen Riding Centre Ltd.. Sandra works closely with the horses, meeting and greeting the riders and teaching horse riding, where as Audrey has taken on an administrative role as the Marketing Manager. Sandra's husband is also very much involved in the business, taking on the role as Head of Tourism. Moycullen Riding Centre is very busy bringing tourists on treks around the Moycullen area. They have also collaborated with a neighbouring hotel bringing the guests trekking around the grounds of Glenlo Abby. Both sisters bring their previous life experiences together to run a very successful riding centre on the edge of Moycullen - Moycullen Riding Centre Ltd.

The first home we visited was Audrey's. This amazing home sits in a small little cul de sac on the edge of Corcullen. The expansive lawn and drive leads up to a generous sized front door surrounded with glass panels. To the left of the house is a slightly elevated patio area that commands a panoramic view of the lush woodland and Lough Corrib beyond.

Audrey emigrated to Boston where she met her husband Brendan who hails from Bantry Co. Cork. As is said 'travel all the way to Boston and end up marrying your neighbour", this definitely sums up Audrey's story. The call of the emerald isle was very strong for both of them so they decided that Galway would be the best place to live and bring up their children. Audrey came back to work in the travel business and her husband worked in Mechanical Engineering. They set up home in the east Galway which just didn't sit right with Audrey as her heart was yearning for life near her family home. As luck would have it a site became available within walking distance of her parents home and her sister's Riding Centre. They bought the site and designed this magnificent home within spitting distance of the shores of Lough Corrib. It took a little short of a year between planning permission being granted and the house being built. As it was a timber framed home, it went up very quickly. The timber frame literally came in a box and was constructed over a few days. A very efficient way of building and a very energy efficient home.

The American open plan style is evident the minute you walk into the double height hallway. Your eye is immediately drawn upward towards the glass balustrade on the stairs and a bridge which leads from the children's bedrooms to the master bedroom. The bridge allows that open airy flow to continue upstairs, it acts as a corridor to the master bedroom, stunningly beautiful and excellently executed. 

To the right of the expansive hall is the main living area. All open plan loosely based on the ideas from the Bostonian homes Audrey had visited. To keep the continuity of the spatial awareness in the living area, this couple went for a wide plank timber floor throughout. The complete area is divided into three working and living spaces and appears as three separate areas. 

The two tone kitchen is a very simple painted shaker, made all the more user friendly with the L shaped island and breakfast bar. As most of her time is spent preparing food on the island, Audrey chose to place the sink on the island with the oven and hob directly behind. From this vantage point she can survey the whole space. The dining area was kept completely separate by setting it in the window, with extra large double doors leading out to the patio. It was also necessary for this couple to have a living area in the open plan space. This they did by placing it on a slightly lower level looking out to the back garden. Two large picture windows allows the family to relax and take in the magnificent views. Again the same wide plank timber floor was used here with a small stove in the corner to make the space cozy in the winter time. The L shaped sofa makes this the perfect family space where Audrey, Brendan and the kids can snuggle up together.

To the left of the hall is a very elegant sitting room, decorated in elegant Laura Ashley chairs and sofa in contrasting shades. The stripe of the ottoman bring the two shades of the sofa and chairs together and sits beautifully on a luxurious thick pile rug. A gas stove fits flush on the chimney breast with two long windows allowing the family to connect with the outdoors at all times. For easy access to the garden, Audrey decided to place a door to the front where two simple chairs allows for evening beverages when the children are in bed.

A WC and a guest bedroom complete the accommodation downstairs. Upstairs houses the children's bedrooms and the very spacious master bedroom. 

Its all very modern and clean lines for this sister and the only similarity to her sister Sander's decor is in the master bedroom where a large mahogany sleigh bed sits facing a neat balcony where Audrey sits to take her morning coffee and take in the wonderful views over the lake. 

Get the Look

Windows - Rationel Windows

Kitchen - In Kitchens

Droplights - Neptune

Table & Chairs - Home Gallery Interiors

Stove & Fireplaces - Ned Forde

Living Room Furniture - Laura Ashley

Timber Floors - Lydons Carpets & Flooring