Kildare Couple Lorcan Burke and Adrian Sharpe Crowned Winners of RTÉ Home of the Year 2026

Lorcan Burke and Adrian Sharpe, a Kildare-based couple passionate about horticulture and floristry, have been named the winners of RTÉ’s Home of the Year 2026, triumphing over nine other finalists in the show’s 12th series. Their light-filled, garden-centric home—built in 2005 on family land and inspired by traditional farm-style buildings—stood out for its seamless integration of indoor and outdoor living, earning praise from judges Hugh Wallace, Amanda Bone, and Siobhan Lam for its joyful, functional design.

A Home Designed Around Nature and Light

The winning property, located in County Kildare, was conceived as a “forever home” with the garden as its starting point. Lorcan and Adrian oriented the house to maximize natural light, creating both morning and afternoon patios for daily employ. A long-standing weeping willow tree, tied to Adrian’s late father, was preserved during construction and remains a central feature of the landscape.

Both owners work in plant-related fields—Adrian as a horticulturalist manager and plant buyer at The Orchard in Cellbridge, and Lorcan as the owner of Absolutely Fabulous Flowers, a floristry business. Their professional backgrounds deeply influenced the home’s design, particularly the garden, which includes hidden spaces like a tearoom and extensive planting that blurs the boundary between indoors and outdoors.

“When we were designing the house, it was designed with garden in mind, ” Lorcan shared in an interview with RTÉ Lifestyle. “We wanted a house that we would use every bit of every day—lots of light, lots of space, and we use it all.”

Recognition from the Judges

Following their victory, judge Hugh Wallace told the couple, “Can I just say when I walked around your house, I knew it was the winner,” adding that he felt “smitten” by the property. Amanda Bone echoed this sentiment, saying she felt “pure joy” upon entering the home and believed it was a worthy winner of the title.

The judges evaluated homes across three criteria: individuality, functionality, and clever design. Lorcan and Adrian’s residence excelled in all areas, particularly in how it reflected their personal passions and lifestyle whereas maintaining broad appeal.

About RTÉ Home of the Year

Now in its 12th series, RTÉ Home of the Year showcases exceptional residential properties from across Ireland, highlighting innovation in design, sustainability, and personal expression. The competition culminates in a grand final where the top-scoring homes from weekly episodes compete for the title. In 2026, a “golden key” twist allowed judges to save one runner-up from earlier episodes and advance them to the final, increasing the number of contenders to ten.

The show continues to celebrate homes that are not only visually striking but deeply lived-in—spaces where architecture, landscape, and personal story come together.

Key Takeaways

• Lorcan Burke and Adrian Sharpe won Home of the Year 2026 with their Kildare home built in 2005.
• The property emphasizes indoor-outdoor connection, natural light, and horticultural design.
• Both winners work in floristry and horticulture, which shaped the home’s garden and aesthetic.
• Judges praised the home for its joy, functionality, and thoughtful integration with nature.
• The victory marks the culmination of the 12th series of RTÉ’s popular home design competition.

As Home of the Year continues to highlight Ireland’s most inspiring residential spaces, Lorcan and Adrian’s home stands as a testament to what can be achieved when personal passion, thoughtful design, and a deep respect for nature come together in one cohesive living space.