Buildings Beo - Season 1

First up for Carrie is a visit to the historic town of Castleblayney, Co. Monaghan, which takes its name from Blayney Castle, once the focal point of the area. Renamed 'Hope Castle' in the 1850s, the castle's gate lodge fell into disrepair with the passage of time. In this episode, Carrie will follow along as the local townspeople come together to reimagine the space. She'll watch first-hand as the forgotten lodge, situated off the historic market square and by the picturesque public park surrounding Loch Muckno, is reimagined as a state-of-the-art library beloved by residents of all ages.

Carrie heads to the idyllic town of Ballinamore, Co. Leitrim, where she falls in love with the town's old railway station, which has fallen into disuse and dereliction. She'll learn of how Ballinamore Community Council devised an exciting plan to revitalise the area by transforming the stunning red-brick junction house into a dynamic multi-purpose hub: the beating heart of the town. From conception to completion, she'll meet a colourful cast of characters who are all united in their mission to breathe new life into the junction house.

In this episode, Carrie returns to her home county of Waterford, where she explores the historic Mount Congreve estate. Carrie delves into the legacy of Ambrose Congreve, a passionate gardener who entrusted Mt Congreve to the Irish state when he died in 2011 aged 104. Carrie unveils the ambitious plans for the estate's restoration-a project that seeks to honour its storied past while ushering in a new era of vitality. She'll follow Mount Congreve's revival, including the creation of a first-class café featuring ingredients grown onsite and meticulously curated retail spaces, all honouring Ambrose's vision and legacy.

It's off to Ireland's foodie capital, Kinsale, in this episode, as Carrie delves into the transformation of a disused Old Mill building into a vibrant community space and library. This historic building presents significant challenges for the team, as Carrie discovers when she explores the design process and learns about the building's protected status and its location within an architectural protection zone. She'll see first-hand the meticulous efforts to preserve historical significance and learn as the new library takes shape, how it promises to be more than just a repository of books, but also a much-needed community space, bridging past and present in the town.

Carrie visits the charming seaside village of Monkstown in South County Dublin, where the local Church of Ireland rector has embarked on a remarkable project of transforming an old schoolhouse into a vibrant community hub. Carrie will discover how this refurbished schoolhouse will serve as a gathering place for the local art group and Tidy District, offering a space for community activities and creativity to flourish. With its genteel seaside charm and rich history, Monkstown's refurbished schoolhouse stands as a testament to the power of community-driven initiatives and the enduring spirit of preservation.

Carrie visits the bustling market town of Macroom, Co. Cork, where the iconic Briery Gap, a beloved theatre and cultural hub left derelict since a devastating fire, takes centre stage. From cherished Christmas pantomimes to the lasting legacy of the local drama group, Carrie uncovers the void left by the Briery Gap and the eagerness to see it restored to its former glory. As the team overcomes the challenges of breathing new life into an old theatre, Carrie watches as the curtain finally comes up on a revitalised Briery Gap, a vibrant cultural centrepiece right in the heart of the town.