A very different Christmas in our 100 year old farmhouse in Ireland

Join us as we put up our Christmas decorations in our once derelict, stone farmhouse in Ireland.
It is a Christmas unlike any other we have celebrated, plaster missing from the lime plastered walls, no electric and we have never owned our 100 year old house in rural Ireland. It will be a very different Christmas this year, but it will be just as special as all our other Christmases together.
Our decorations always go up on the 4th of December, watch and find out why,
And for anyone who would like a read of Stacey Dighton's new book here is the link: www.waterstone...

[@zoerochelle]

I imagine the locals driving by, seeing the tree lit in the window, and being so happy that the abandoned house on the corner is alive and loved again.

[@thecornerhouseproject]

Oh yes I hope so too because it had been empty for such a long time. It’s nice to be able to bring the life that once was here, back again!

[@AnneNiM-ni3fx]

I was thinking the same.Also can imagine the curiosity factor? An English couple? Who are they, have they connections here? I'd say they'll knock and rebuild. They're doing the work themselves? They'll never last the first bad storm To now... they're doing a great job, it's lovely to see the light in the window. A great addition to the place

[@thecornerhouseproject]

Awww thank you what lovely thoughts and words! We do hope that is the case, everyone that we have met around here are absolutely amazing and so welcoming that it warmed our hearts to be honest just how welcome we have been made to feel. It’s scary moving to a new country and even more moving into a house and land that has been owned by a local family for hundreds of years but then to be made to feel so welcome it’s been lovely!

[@sharonhuntley6682]

Hugs dawn, it’s hard when you miss your babies

[@thecornerhouseproject]

There was a tear or two on this day but our daughter came over January to see us :-)

[@bill90405]

What a lovely tradition of decorating on a certain day!

[@thecornerhouseproject]

It does make it feel more special when it has some sort of tradition attached to it, for us anyway. 😊

[@bill90405]

What a lovely thing for there to be a Christmas tree in the house again. The house must be very pleased!

[@thecornerhouseproject]

I like to think it was very happy! 😃 it’s been empty a long long time so it’s lovely to be able to make it a home all over again. 😊

[@PJC1310]

Beautiful, I absolutely love lights at Christmas, very special and warming.

[@thecornerhouseproject]

Thank you 😀 it looked so beautiful to see it all lit up. ❤️

[@rebekahvenn201]

How lovely and homely does that now look. At least you still have the lovely christmas comforters around. I hope you all have a wonderful christmas together. Take care.xx

[@thecornerhouseproject]

Thank you! It has made it look and feel very homely now. We’re very pleased with how nice it a bit of normal isn’t it? Xx

[@carlosdelagarza8983]

Thanks for the laughs! I wish you both much happiness and cheer!

[@thecornerhouseproject]

Awww thank you! And the same to you! 😘

[@evelyngorfram9306]

How clever of you, to do up that faux-plaster-coming-off-the-walls, no curtains, etc., rustic effect just to make the room look more Victorian Christmassy! 😜🤣 And that grand pile of presents in the corner, just waiting for Santa's elves to come wrap them up! Happy Birthday to Georgia, Happy Birthday to Dawn, and Merry Christmas to all. 🎄

[@thecornerhouseproject]

Oh my goodness we are soo glad you noticed the work we went to really smash that dickensian look that we were aiming for! Maybe Santa elves might enjoy plastering whilst they wrap those presents too! Thank you for the Happy Birthday wishes! Merry Christmas to you too! P.S we LOVE your sense of humour and always like reading your comments!

[@kategreen-adarkcarnival6747]

@@thecornerhouseproject Hehehe! x

[@evelyngorfram9306]

@@thecornerhouseproject Aw, shucks... thanks 😊

[@SerendipitySharon]

Thanks for sharing your holiday joy with us. It's almost like a Victorian Christmas with no electrics, but the tree in the window is so sweet, its putting me in the Christmas spirit. You are living your dream and its a miracle in progress. I Hope your beloved children will spend the holidays with you.

[@thecornerhouseproject]

You are most welcome. We do prefer the tree and just decorations and simple decorations around the place but never realised until you said... yeah, very much so like a Victorian Christmas with no electric. Our fingers are still crossed for a connection before Christmas. Sadly not, our daughter won't be over until mid January, so it will be an even more "Very different Christmas". Thanks as always for watching and commenting :-)

[@anniedavis4569]

Ahhh Dawn and Ben ye have the house lovely for Xmas just love the tree and the lights so nice it’s coming a lot like Xmas now. Happy birthday to your daughter. Ye have a done wonderful job on the house so be proud of yourselves

[@thecornerhouseproject]

@@anniedavis4569 Thank you! It really is coming a lot like Christmas. Thank you, yes we’re quite pleased with ourselves so far and really looking forward to the new year and new seasons to get doing a whole lot more.

[@KJ-kg8kc]

Happy Christmas Ben and Dawn - The Corner House Project has almost certainly now become The Corner Home Project!. Best Wishes from France - 🐸🐸

[@thecornerhouseproject]

Like it! Maybe we should adopt that! Happy Christmas and best wishes to you and yours! 🍀

[@shannongarlitz8434]

What a fun video. You’ve made your home so cozy! You’ll look back and remember this as a special Christmas.

[@thecornerhouseproject]

I think you’re right Shannon, it will certainly be one of those stand out memories of Christmas! 🎄

[@mnamber]

You should sell those stars! I LOVE it! 😍

[@thecornerhouseproject]

Hahaha! Yes what a great idea, it’s strangely really effective sat up there and Ben is very proud of it! We have lots of little 3d printed items around the house when they’re not in packing boxes! 🤣

[@jamesgause9546]

Saw your channel for first time today pop up on utube on my iPad. At first when title said house in Ireland I expected an Irish accent. I will check out other videos you have to catch up. I am English retired in the US. I am from the Cambridge area, and come home regularly as have family there. I am looking forward to watching your renovations. Don’t worry about the walls and all the other things that need your TLC., as time and hard work will change all that. Buy yourself some big candles until electric gets sorted. Have happy holidays all of you! Being together is all that’s important right now and being warm and well also. All the best,Maureen.

[@thecornerhouseproject]

Welcome to the channel Maureen ☺️ How long have you been in the US? We’ve grown quite fond of rechargeable motion sensor lights, and they last quite along time in between charges so they’re really handy. You’re absolutely right with all that you say. We have all the time in the world to get the house done and we’re not in a huge rush, so it’ll get done eventually 😂

[@joanobrien7754]

Love the houses that you have in the window...

[@thecornerhouseproject]

They’re lovely aren’t they…Ben bought them from a local garden centre when we lived back in England. They play music too but it’s a little jarring after a while! 🫣😂

[@jaymurtagh]

Ah, bless. Your decorations look lovely. It looks so homely . Christmas will be what you make of it. Your house is a work in progress, but it is already homely . Think of it next Christmas you will have a lot more done. Hope you get your electricity connected soon. They are notorious for being slow with connections.

[@thecornerhouseproject]

Aww thank you 🤩 yes, you’re right it does already feel homely! It’s always felt “right” from the first viewing of it but now it is feeling more and more homely as the days and weeks go by. I’m soo excited to get cracking on it all properly once winter tails off a bit. Good times ahead hopefully! 🤞 And yeah, we had heard it could be a slow process in getting connected, fingers crossed for not too much longer of a wait.

[@adds91]

Oh Dawn I just wanted to give you a hug at the end, being away from family is so hard especially on days that have such strong traditions, our kids moved away from us (went to Uni & stayed) but when my daughter had a baby we moved our life halfway down the country to join her and we’re now in an old stone building in the Cornish countryside that we are slowly doing up, not such a project as yours but still learning all about damp, old methods of lime and gradually ripping out layers of concrete & gypsum. Embrace your new traditions this year & focus on the freedom your new life & house is offering you xx

[@thecornerhouseproject]

Aww thank you, I’m not sure what happened at the end of the video lol. I think it was one of those realisation moments, that it’s her birthday and the first time we’ve not celebrated it together 😢 in some way shape or form. It’s definitely a big learning curve isn’t it? Doing up an old stone house! I do love learning new things so it does really appeal to me even though it is sometimes pretty hard going as you probably can sympathise! You are absolutely right with the new life and freedom that comes with it, that is worth remembering when times are a little trying and sad! Thank you for your really lovely and kind words. Xx

[@TrudiShearin-wr6wk]

It looks wonderful! And you did it all! Well done!

[@thecornerhouseproject]

Aww thank you 🤩 and we did! It’s a nice feeling!

[@marypiper1182]

Thanks so much for sharing your Christmas traditions with us. I'm 84 but still love the holidays...we'll be putting up our tree in a few days. Really enjoy your work on the house. You're both such hard workers. Can't wait to see the progress to come.

[@thecornerhouseproject]

You’re really are most welcome! It’s important to keep your family traditions alive isn’t it? I have Ben to thank though as I’m a bit of a Scrooge with Christmas and stuff but he adores it, once I start getting the decorations out and the Christmas music is on, I soon forget my Christmas grumps! I hope when I’m 84 i still have the drive for putting our decorations up. 😘

[@marionmounsey4737]

Aww lovely video, brilliant you’ve put up your decorations and tree, it’s going to be a beautiful house,will be so worth it❤️xx

[@thecornerhouseproject]

Thank you Marion! It will most definitely worth all the hard work in the end. Even with the little we have done so far it has been hugely worth it all! The decorations and tree make it feel so much more homely. ❤️

[@mocarra100]

Lovely Christmas tree, I always look forward to your vlogs! Much love from Oklahoma USA Jackie 🇺🇸💖

[@thecornerhouseproject]

Aww thank you Jackie! 😊 Love to you too! ❤️

[@kategreen-adarkcarnival6747]

Aww! Lovely video guys! Tree looks stunning and will look so warm and homely from the lane. Great that you have had a day doing more 'normal' house things, rather than all the big, heavy duty jobs you've been doing for months now. Dawn a wee bit teary at the end - hope you can see your daughter soon dear ... Kxx

[@thecornerhouseproject]

Aww thank you! Yes, it looks beautiful from outside...makes the house look warm and cosy in every room..which it isn't but the perception is good enough for me! Haha. It was really really nice to do something 'normal' it just makes you feel that little bit more light hearted about everything. Oh my goodness yes...we had to stop filming right then...Ben went as well! It did get a little emotional I can tell you! 😢 yeah it won't be long before I get to see her again! Luckily with modern technology we get to see her on video call too which is lovely. Xxx

[@kategreen-adarkcarnival6747]

@@thecornerhouseproject Oh bless both!! Good to hear you'll be reunited again soon. I know I'll feel the same when we move over there next year but us mature folks are allowed to live our dreams too! I keep reminding myself of that. If not now, when? Kxx

[@thecornerhouseproject]

Exactly! The prospect of turning 50 gave me the kick up the backside to do something about the comfortable but not so much inspiring life that we were leading! And like you say we need to live our dreams too! When do you move over and do you know where you will be moving to? Or are you still looking? Xx

[@user-vj8wz7ph6u]

Hi Dawn n Ben Christmas tree 🎄 looks beautiful , it sure will be very different for you both ,But I'm sure it will be very special for you both my heart melted when I saw your kittens, they're so cute . All the best love always Auntie Gwen ❤xxx

[@thecornerhouseproject]

Hi Auntie Gwen and thank you! It will definitely be different but I’m sure it will also be one of those christmases that we look back on with much happiness too! Cats are fantastic! Feels sooo much more like a home now with them tearing around the place! Xx

[@user-vj8wz7ph6u]

@@thecornerhouseproject the kittens most probably be trying into the tree later on🤣🥰

[@thecornerhouseproject]

@user-vj8wz7ph6u ooh I have no doubt they will pull it down at some point!! Hahaha

[@yourinsane5]

Birthdays and Christmas are my best days as well. Best wishes for you both. xxx

[@thecornerhouseproject]

Thank you! Best of both worlds having a birthday in December too! Xxx

[@rasher1000]

What a lovely display Ben & Dawn, this time next year iam sure that room will be finished to perfection. 🎄🎅🤶⛪

[@thecornerhouseproject]

Haha, we hope so too! But knowing us, it might take a little longer than a year. We'll try not to get too distracted by all the cute home decor items along the way! Thank you for watching and commenting :-)

[@TheHavasu_77]

The little kitten is so cute!! 🥰❤ I’m a December baby as well, but I’m the 26th! I love Christmas time and start putting decorations up the beginning of December, and I keep them up till my mom’s birthday on February 2nd! ❤😂🎄 Bear with my comments, I’m almost up to current, then I’ll have to wait for new videos like everyone else! 😩🤦🏼‍♀️😂

[@thecornerhouseproject]

Sooo cute! He is called Steve and then we have his mum and brother. Peach and Alan. Ben loves Christmas too, I like it but not as much as Ben does! Lol I do like being a December baby though, it’s quite a magical month for a birthday isn’t it? How odd my mums birthday is February too, the 8th and she has just turned the big 70! Can’t believe how quickly the time has flown by! No problem at all with the comments, it’s nice to know that people will sit and watch from the beginning! It’s very much appreciated 🥰

[@TheHavasu_77]

@@thecornerhouseproject my mom just turned 71!! 😂🥰❤️

[@hmeyers5114]

Dawn & Ben, your house looks magical! Your video from outside the window looked like what Christmas is supposed to be - full of wonder. Look at how amazing your home looks with the Christmas lights twinkling! Hopefully, the fire will soon be sorted as well as the electric... I know what it's like to be away from those you most love during the holidays when everyone and everything is geared toward making us nostalgic and advertising pushes us, even more, to want to be together. Your children will be there when they can and you can celebrate holidays, no matter the day on the calendar. The date doesn't matter. Christmas is in the heart. 💖 Hold on to each other!

[@thecornerhouseproject]

Thank you! I think you’re right it does look quite magical through that window….i walked out in the dark to film and saw the tree and its lights come into view and it reminded me of old Christmas films and I think A Christmas Carol (Scrooge) especially! A roaring fire would have really put the cherry on top. Yeah Christmas is definitely one of those times that has the ability to make you feel both so alive and happy and so alone and sad depending on your circumstances isn’t it? You’re right though Christmas is in the heart! ❤️ Still have our fingers crossed tightly for electric before Christmas but at least we do have the generator and the solar, so it could be worse I suppose. 😘

[@deemoor4961]

It looks amazing ❤ xxx

[@thecornerhouseproject]

Thank you Dee xxx

[@patriciapadgett4696]

Beautiful decs, beautiful tree, and two lovely, happy people . Merry Xmas from a very different Xmas here in Spain. Even after 17 years its still different, but its what you make it. Hugs Dawn ❤

[@thecornerhouseproject]

Awww thanks Patricia! Merry Xmas to you too. Oh I definitely agree with "it's what you make it" especially after how we've been living the last 6 months and we are still loving it...it certainly makes you realise you don't need all the things that you thought you did! Lol 😘

[@patriciapadgett4696]

@@thecornerhouseproject Hi again. When we first moved to Spain 17 years ago we had bought land, no house & not much thought of what we would live in. We were lucky that there was a small wooden chalet on the land, & for 6 years we lived in that. No water, no electric, no mod cons. Best years ever ! We finally built our next home on the land. We lived in that for the next 10 years, and a year ago we sold up and bought an old Spanish house that has been unlived in for over 20 years. So we started again at the ripe old age of 74. We love it, hard work but it keeps us going. We still try to live a very simple life, we are very happy, comfortable, but people can't believe we don't have a telly.... So, you two, we know about putting Decs up amid boxes , unfinished rooms, no electric, water, no washing machine, washing us and clothes in a bucket. Oh, and Grandchildren when they visited, them sleeping on air beds. Best days ever, & can see how happy you two are. You are going to have a stunning home, but enjoy every minute of the journey, it's so worth it. Love from two old hippies ❤️❤️

[@thecornerhouseproject]

I bloody love this! 74 and doing it all over again! Now, that’s what inspires me and I will remember that when I’m now and again thinking…”hmmm, are we a bit old for doing this sort of thing” although having said that, I’ve honestly loved all of it. I like being busy and prefer doing stuff myself so this sort of thing is right up my street! Up until last night we hadn’t watched the telly in 6 months and to be quite honest, I really haven’t missed it one bit! Me and Ben have spent lots of years together where we’ve had very little money so to us living like this isn’t that bad at all because we actually own this house and land! That for us is achievement enough, it’s what we always dreamed may happen but never fully believed it would, so we are over the moon to be doing what we always dreamed of. It is hard going at times but like you two old hippies…I suspect we will look back and see these as our best days ever too! Thank you so much for lovely words, they are just the words we needed to hear right now! ❤️❤️

[@theirishhomestead]

I loved this video guys. One of my favourites of yours xxx

[@thecornerhouseproject]

Aww thanks! It was really lovely to do this one too! Made life feel a bit normal lol xx

[@tracybush8115]

The house looks so festive. It's hard being away from those you love. Who are the 2 little butterscotch furry angels?

[@thecornerhouseproject]

Butterscotch furry angels! I bloody love that! ❤️ There’s 3 of them and they are Peaches (the mum) and Steve and Alan (her two 5 month old sons) bloody love them too! I’m sure they will destroy the tree in no time but it looks nice and festive at this moment in time! Oh yes, it really is hard being away from loved ones. 😔

[@ronaldlucas5360]

Enjoyed

[@thecornerhouseproject]

So did we. It was a really nice Christmas :-)

[@10928rob]

Lovely Video Dawn and Ben, Christmas Decs, always seems to bring out the emotions in us all, thoughts of people past present, and absent, but that aside it was a lovely video, PS I want to see the Nan Costen dance, xx❤

[@thecornerhouseproject]

Thanks Pa! Yes I think you're right with the Christmas decs, it does bring up lots of memories! Putting Grandads nativity set always does. The Nan Costen dance was because whenever I hear a little bit of music I feel the need to hold my arms bent and dance and wave my hands and I said to Ben it always reminds me of Nan when she heard a tune or la la a tune! Lol xxx

[@10928rob]

@@thecornerhouseproject Treasured memories. Dawnie xxx

[@thecornerhouseproject]

@10928rob most definitely Pa. Xxx

[@WendyVanamburgh]

It is beautiful I in its surroundings. This time next year....

[@thecornerhouseproject]

Oh yes next year will be amazing! So much to look forward to. It’s all very exciting.

[@cynthiabruns7178]

I’m sure the house felt very happy having a Christmas again. The tree looks lovely, it’s your first Christmas there and you can look forward to more and perhaps happier times ahead.

[@thecornerhouseproject]

Hi Cynthia We loved Christmas in the house. It was quiet, but Dawn still managed to cook a lovely full dinner. The tree looked right at home in the old house as we always decorate it old style. That was the first time that we are aware of that the parlour had ever had a tree in it at Christmas as the room was never used. Many more Christmases ahead, You never know, the plaster might not be missing next Christmas... but it might be lol Thank you for watching us and commenting :-)

[@OfficialWheelo]

Bualadh bas arís, mo chara! Its great to see ye in the Christmas spirit (if not spirits 🥃🥃)😂 Making memories as you go. Hopefully, you'll have the leccy on soon.

[@thecornerhouseproject]

Thank you very much but please don't pat us too hard.... it hurts! The morning routine is..... 1. Wait for our only neighbour to go to work 2. Turn on the small generator (less noise than the big one) 3. Turn on all the Christmas lights 4. Let the generator charge the batteries for night time power. Plenty of memories being made and KZbin has helped keep them safe :-) The leccy! Not sure I can summon any words at the moment!

[@pitsnipe5559]

Your home looks wonderful!

[@thecornerhouseproject]

Thank you ❤️

[@carolinerobinson8442]

Looks magical 💕💕💕💕 I usually put mine up on my birthday (the day before Dawn 2 decades earlier 😂) but away this year so will definitely put them up on my return. Sure you will catch up with your daughter soon must be very hard. Take care 😘😘😘

[@thecornerhouseproject]

That really is the nice thing about having a December birthday, always loved it when I was a kid…made my birthday much more magical! Yeah it won’t be long until we see her and the nice thing about technology is we can keep in touch with video calls which is lovely and makes it a little easier being apart! Thanks Caroline and hope you have a good birthday and great Christmas! 🎄 xxx

[@Jane-3229]

Your tree looks beautiful 🥰🎄🥰

[@thecornerhouseproject]

Aww thank you Jane 😘

[@helenangelful]

You both have transformed your house so much. Adding the Christmas tree and the decorations makes it so seasonal and really lovely. You have given the house a huge lease of warmth and life. Enjoy the run up to Christmas Dawn and Ben

[@thecornerhouseproject]

Thank you Helen. That's really kind of you to say. The house is looking so much better now. The damp feeling has gone and it just feels so much nicer now and the tree going up has made it look very homely! Thank you, we will and to you too! 😊

[@Victoria14357]

Beautiful!

[@thecornerhouseproject]

Thank you ❤️

[@user-vy3vk2sb8p]

Looks lovely.

[@thecornerhouseproject]

Thank you 🤩

[@sharonhuntley6682]

Your Christmas tree and decorations look awesome, how did the 2 cats come about?

[@thecornerhouseproject]

Hi Sharon. It certainly felt like Christmas and we had a lovely day. Hopefully we will get it looking a bit more like our Christmas this year. How we come about the cats - kzbin.info/www/bejne/jYfUgmuqmNqrg7M

[@PhilHiggins-jn9bl]

You deserve nothing but praise for your efforts in restoring the Biv house and putting a wonderful Christmas atmosphere around, It looks wonderful and you are a very Happy Couple committed to your Dreams

[@thecornerhouseproject]

Aww thank you that’s really lovely of you to say! We are very much committed to this, it’s definitely a labour of love!

[@neutonrenda2303]

Lol, if you read the books description the apple couldn't have fallen too far from the tree. Great chance your daughter's possible in-laws would fit right in.😂❤

[@thecornerhouseproject]

Oh most definitely! We are sooo pleased with the extended family that she finds herself in….complete perfect match if there ever was one! It makes leaving her behind less worrying, knowing she has them. ❤️

[@lynnfoley4444]

Beautiful ❤🎄

[@thecornerhouseproject]

Thank you muchly! ❤️

[@Marie-yx5ie]

Happy Belated birthday George 🥳🎊🎉🎉 Enjoy the rest of the holidays guy's, the decorations are lovely 👍😉🇮🇪☘️Eire

[@thecornerhouseproject]

I will let Georgia know, she will be pleased by that. We have had a lovely holiday and break thank you. Hope you have too. Thank you Marie for watching and commenting :-)

[@LewisC1944]

I had decided that I couldn't be bothered to put up decs this year but after watching your lovely video I thought if they can do it in with all they have to cope with I should make the effort, thanks for spurring me on. Your house is transforming into a home in front of our eyes. Thank you for letting us join in your ups and downs. Happy Birthday, Happy Christmas and a Very Happy and progressive New Year. XXX

[@thecornerhouseproject]

We have Ben to thank for the push on the Christmas decs, I probably would have just stuck the tree up and that would have been it, but no it all came out! Haha. It really is becoming a home and it’s lovely to see. Hopefully the more we go on there will be more ups than downs! lol to be fair the downs are very quickly forgotten. Thank you and a very Happy Christmas and New Year to you too Carol. Xxx

[@Yaketyyak21]

It’s a bit late but Happy Christmas to you both.🤗

[@thecornerhouseproject]

Awww thank you so much! 🤩 keep one “Happy Christmas” in the bank for yourself too 😊

[@christinerowlands539]

Awww. . Your tree looks so lovely, especially from the view 🪟 outside,so, very inviting.it will most certainly be very different for you this year but, like every thing else as been so different you'll get through and it will all be worth it.thinking of you all love from your Auntie Chrissie and uncle Dave and families 🌹🌹🌹😘😘😘

[@thecornerhouseproject]

Thank Auntie Chris, I knew you were looking forward to seeing the tree up! It looks really good and strangely even with the falling down, knackered walls surrounding it, it still looks beautiful!😍 Yeah it will be so worth it when it’s all done. Next years Christmas will be even better! Xxx

[@clivecarser7356]

The first Christmas tree and lights in many years !!! How fantastic. Christmas decorations make any room look beautiful. Very concerned about the fireplace 😮😮😮

[@thecornerhouseproject]

Yes! It’s been a long time since a tree was in the house….unless you count the one that was growing out of the chimney stack when we moved in. Ahh yes the fire 😔 it’s leaking through the upstairs bedroom walls! Seems to be coming through the middle of the wall too rather than out of the front. So we thought we could flue it but our chimney is only a 6 inch opening and apparently to have an open fire flued it needs to be a 9 inch chimney opening. So we may see if we can get a wood stove insert and hopefully still be able to keep all of the surrounding and fireplace. Little bit sad about that to be honest.

[@colettelavery7452]

Dawn and Ben I love your Christmas tree 🎄 and your wreath on the staircase. Such a lovely homily and cosy home.It takes me back to the fiftys in rural Ireland. You both said you had a lovely day getting it all set up .I could hear and feel the emotion in your voice Dawn when you were speaking about your daughter and her birthday.Take care of each other. God bless xx🎄

[@thecornerhouseproject]

Aww thank you Collette, yes it did get a little emotional towards the end, Christmas always has that habit of making you a little extra emotional doesn’t it?! lol It was just one of those random moments of realisation of circumstance! But having said that, it really was a good day! Thank you we do love traditional looking decorations and in our previous house which was a new build, although they still looked nice….this house most definitely lends itself much better to our style! Xx

[@user-hp1sq3wn3j]

Thanks for the shout out Dawn and Ben. Looks like you're making great progress, even if it's not as fast as you'd like. It will be well worth it in the end. Don't worry, Georgia's all good, and she even brought Ozzy round last night. In fact, he's here with me today. PS. You even got me going at the end there.

[@thecornerhouseproject]

You are most welcome and thank you for the signed book with the personal message to us both. Yes, we will get there in the end, slowly but surely. George said Ozzy was coming for a holiday for a night, hopefully he has behaved himself and not left too many ginger hairs all over the place.... Love the gingers. They make a great couple together Harley and George, we are very happy for them both. The end was going so well until Dawn mentioned Georgia not being here and that broke us both, but thought it should be left in as it is all part of the journey. Thanks for always watching and lovely to see you comment. All the best with the book. Ben & Dawn

[@annaburke5781]

Thank you for sharing bless. love the kittens

[@thecornerhouseproject]

You’re most welcome! Aren’t they?! Love ‘em! ❤️

[@kenltron]

What a nice Christmas you'll be having in your new home! Fantastic work this year, time to celebrate, new electrics and all! Merry Christmas, best to you in the New Year!

[@thecornerhouseproject]

Thank you! Yes, it could not have come at a better time! Merry Christmas to you, too!

[@SweetOne.]

Oh darn it on the electrics. The tree is beautiful! Very nicely decorated. So good to see you both happy and smiling. Happy Birthday to your daughter! What happened to the fire?

[@thecornerhouseproject]

Aww thank you! 🤩 yes, electric is a bit disappointing but hopefully soon. It’ll be sooo nice to have real electric because it means we can get a proper fridge! Sooo excited! Thank you for my daughters birthday wishes 🎂 Well…the fire…has started leaking through the upstairs bedroom walls 🙁 so we can’t use it now. We were hoping that we would be able to get a flue for it and still be able to use it as an open fire but we’ve been told that to flue an open fire the chimney opening needs to be 9 inches and ours is only 6 inches so we won’t be able to do that as hoped, so we will get it flued still but have either a wood stove or I’ve looked at fireplace inserts as well in the hope we can get one of those but still keep the fireplace and surround. It was a bit disappointing to be honest because the open fire was one of things I love so much about the house! 😞

[@SweetOne.]

@@thecornerhouseproject Is repointing the chimney walls upstairs not an option? I don't really know enough about chimney's each one is built at the time house is built and old houses didn't always have building plans that you can reference. knocking the plaster off the walls surrounding the chimneys is the only way to see what is going on - then replacing any cracked fire brick and repointed then plastering over top. I think you would have to get a professional in to do that kind of work and that could be very costly. Are all the fireplaces leaking smoke or just the living room? It must be very disappointing especially for Christmas.

[@thecornerhouseproject]

I did think that but where it’s leaking is under the rafters so to get to where the smoke appears to be coming from would possibly mean taking the roof off in places. Maybe in the new year we will look at it again properly as we’ve just not had the time to investigate it properly really and it was the room that we were sorting for our son. It seems to be just the living room that is leaking luckily. We still haven’t had the fireplace in our room uncapped yet, so we will find out about that in time I would think. It really is disappointing to be honest.

[@urbanexploregirl6802]

Awww I’m slowly catching up on your channel and it was so lovely to see you have your tree up ❤ Your home is coming together and you have given it a new life for you all and the house! Hope you had a lovely Christmas 🎄

[@thecornerhouseproject]

Thank you very much indeed. It was a lovely Christmas, as per the title, very different, but we still had the normal dinner, trimmings and chocolate and we enjoyed the holiday. After 6 months, we finally sat down for a week or two and did very little, it was lovely. Thank you for watching, catching up and commenting :-)

[@urbanexploregirl6802]

@@thecornerhouseproject ♥️♥️

[@user-jz4mm7eo3c]

you seem a bit down in this video stay strong you are doing brilliant and next year you will have smashed it and can look forward to plenty of christmas holidays in your new home, with electricity. keep the faith your doing great

[@thecornerhouseproject]

I think it was a bit of a bittersweet day yesterday with it being our daughter’s birthday. I’ve also had 2 weeks of a bad back and not been able to do very much and it gets a bit frustrating not being able to do much! Fingers crossed it feels much better now so fingers crossed back to getting on with stuff will give us a boost again! Fingers crossed for electricity very soon too, that will really make us smile! 😊 Thank you for taking the time to write such lovely words. It’s really appreciated 😘

[@legrandeileen4863]

Congrats for your courage, you've brought life and joy to your home. , despite your situation, great. Bravo and happy birthday to your daughter. Lots of hugs to yo❤❤❤u both.

[@thecornerhouseproject]

Aww thank you so much for your really lovely words! That’s a lovely way to look at it…”life and joy” it really has! Thank you for our daughter’s birthday wishes! Love to you too! ❤️

[@johnoneill5812]

Despite all the work that needs doing your home looks bright and cheerful. Tree and decorations are beautiful and Christmas will be wonderful because your home is full of love and joy. I have refinished several antiques in my day and would love to get my hands on that table :) Back in the day my 2nd great-grandfather Farrell went to many auctions and built up quite a collection. A couple of pieces found their way to me 100 years later. He came to Canada from Ireland as a young child with his mother in 1835.

[@thecornerhouseproject]

It’s a lovely table and only 3 of its legs match and the woodworm has eaten most of the feet away but we have grown quite attached to it. It’s completely unfinished underneath with the bare wood not stained or painted. How lovely that you have some of those pieces! I love that! The old bookcase I was loading books into was my Nan and Grandads and I always loved it when I was little and when grandad died after Nan that was what I chose to have, oh that and grandads bugle too, which when the house is more presentable will have pride of place on the wall above the bookcase! My 3rd Gt-Grandad came over from Ireland to England around that same time too. He is on the 1841 census in England but back and forth to Ireland and 3 of his children were born in Ireland too.

[@neutonrenda2303]

I didn't know Haynes did a property manual, brilliant. I'm going to be on the lookout for that.👍

[@thecornerhouseproject]

Ooh yes definitely get that one it’s great! I always loved the Haynes manuals when I had new cars back when cars were easier to maintain yourself! So helpful for the beginner. Least the house one doesn’t end up with oily fingerprints all over it!

[@janetdoherty8288]

Christmas is my favourite time of the year too...beautiful tree, thanks for sharing and happy birthday George 🎉 x

[@thecornerhouseproject]

Ben absolutely loves Christmas, If we could have found the outside lights, the whole would have been seen if you were flying into Ireland! 🤣 Thank you for the Happy Birthday for George too! 😘

[@user-zv6lu2mu7w]

The tree looks amazing. Hope you two have a wonderful Christmas, I'll raise a glass to you at the dinner table. You working so hard. Keep the videos coming, I love watching them. Xx

[@thecornerhouseproject]

Thank you Alma and thank you for watching ☺️ Hope you’re doing well and hope you have a lovely Christmas too! Xx

[@patkilmurray4702]

Ah how lovely was that, your tree is beautiful and the bannister with the swag! Makes your gorgeous staircase ooze period Irish charm, and the kittens 😸 That was a feel good video if ever I saw one. You'll probably have the best Christmas ever.

[@thecornerhouseproject]

Awww thank you, what a lovely comment! Yes, the garland really looks the part up the old staircase ❤️ It was really good to get it all out and put it up, it gave us the feel good feeling too! There’s nothing quite the look of a Christmas tree lit in a dark room! I’m pretty sure the kittens will have it looking quite different soon enough! 🤣

[@user-cx5dw1qy1b]

Do the dance Dawn

[@thecornerhouseproject]

Hahaha, Hi Tom. I think she did a bit of the dance in the end if I remember rightly. Christmas seems a long time ago. We saw your other comment with the name of the lake and you are right. Sadly I had to remove it as it is a little close to home for public info. Ellie spent a couple of hours with us and it was lovely to see her again. As she got to the top of the stairs it brought back memories of your grandparents house. Thank you for going right back to the beginning and watching it all. Have a nice evening :-)

[@rachelpiscitell9993]

The decorations are beautiful. I don't decorate anymore. To much work for just me. My health is not good.

[@thecornerhouseproject]

Thank you very much and also for watching and leaving a comment. That is a shame with not decorating, but hopefully you can enjoy someone else's over Christmas. Thank you again.

[@dorygeancunningham8027]

I love your different Christmas! I go on a Christmas shopping trip the first week in December and put up a small tree in my hotel room, which was today. I am pretty sure this is going to be the most decorations this year. I love your kittens. Are they early Christmas gifts? Watch out my kittens climbed up in our tree and started chewing on the fake needles. Merry Christmas!

[@thecornerhouseproject]

Oh wow! That’s fantastic that it happened to be today! Was it a successful shopping trip? I think to be honest if it was left to me then the decorations might not be up…bah humbug and all that…but Ben loves Christmas and all that entails and I’m really glad as it really lifted our spirits yesterday putting them up! I am fully expecting the tree to probably only stand for one day in its current splendour before they end up in it and give it a new look! Strangely as I type this to you….i can hear the bells on the tree being rung by them! Little terrors! 😻😸

[@andie1769]

Aww looks lovely! Hope you get electrics on soon , & fireplace sorted! Is the cat new? Or have I missed something? 🎄🎄

[@thecornerhouseproject]

The cat(s) are new! We have 3 of them! We have a video about it but we're so behind it's waiting in the queue! Haha. We have mummy cat (peaches) and her two 5month old sons (Alan and Steve) all 3 gingers 🥰 Ooh so do we with the electric! It can't come soon enough! The tree was lovely to put up and made us all feel a little more upbeat!

[@neutonrenda2303]

Love the Xmas decorations.❤

[@thecornerhouseproject]

Thank you! 😘

[@WestCorkWander]

Love the Christmas vibes guys. Would you believe 4th is my mom's birthday and I have lots of those books also!! Love the Xmas tunes and I am a huge Xmas fan but I managed to bypass it completely this year. Yours brought me my first Xmas cheer and it's a bit bittersweet cos all our Xmas stuff is in storage. Partially want to slow down and enjoy some festive fun but partly need to push on for kids... Hey ho ¯\_(ツ)_/¯ thanks for a great episode and great dancing ;)

[@thecornerhouseproject]

Aww wow Happy Birthday to your Mum too! 🥳 Bloody good books they aren’t they? I found another good one in a box we hadn’t unpacked and that’s called Abandoned Ireland by Rebecca Brownlie. It documents abandoned building through photographs. Lovely book, but also sad to see all the buildings like that too. Her instagram has some lovely photos too. Oh that’s sad with your Xmas stuff, I would have probably not bothered if it hadn’t been for Ben 😂 Next year will be a proper christmases for us both 🤞 Yeah I get that with the partially slowing down but also feels like missed opportunity to do jobs doesn’t it? Bad back the last couple of weeks has frustrated the hell out of me and I’m now really glad to be back able to do something useful!

[@WestCorkWander]

@@thecornerhouseproject looks like a great book. weve developed a nostalgia for the forgotten ireland for some reason. were both a bit delusioned with the modern world, espcially given my job. There is a place in connemara we visited a couple of years ago. We kayaked across to an island... only took about 5 mins but the island had beautiful white coral beaches and was completely abandoned. all the houses were left as the inhabitants left 50 years ago. Dressers still full of cups. Its well worth a visit if you are into that. beautiful airbnb right across from it. There is something about the simplicity and hardship of the past... im sure its driving our ouw pursuit of simplicity and hardship. will check out the book!

[@thecornerhouseproject]

I know exactly what you mean, we just wanted a simpler, more peaceful type of life. What job do you do? You don’t have to tell me on here if you would rather not. It’s must be so strange to see an abandoned island like that….was it eery? Like everyone walked away, never to return. I love anything like that. It’s like these grand old buildings or the old hospitals that get left abandoned. I love to see the pictures of these, ya know where people go looking specifically for that kind of thing. I just have a fascination with history really. I stood in the outbuilding today actually and thought “wow, I’m stood where people stood hundreds of years ago and I get to be here everyday!” I love it.

[@adammurray741]

sorry too hear your not having any luck with the ESB they are a nightmare too deal with on getting connected. they literally have no interest or concern your living without electric in zero degree temperature. they have always been the same l had same issue 15 years ago getting my old farmhouse reconnected in cavan. especially when your spending e3250 l paid. when they arrived the connection took 7 minutes to do.

[@thecornerhouseproject]

Yep, e3250 for the new connection. The only nice thing is that with all the work they had to do with our pole, two more new poles and cables and the number of men and the machinery, we know it cost them a whole lot more. Our neighbour said that when his mum,l was on one of the moving air beds, due to age and health, the power went out and he called them and explained the situation.... They didn't care. Luckily he had a small generator he could plug her bed into for the two days for them to come out. You aren't the first to say how bad they are and I really doubt you won't be the last either. We have a smaller, quiet generator now so are running that all day until we go to bed. Charges the batteries for overnight and first thing in the morning, but "real" mains will make a huge difference. Don't go holding your breath for a date of connection though. You know that better than most. Thanks for watching and commenting 😀

[@adammurray741]

@@thecornerhouseproject mine was 1 clip onto the existing cable it was a reconnection had been empty for 20 years. was e2000 for esb and 1250 for the electrician to give me a cert. dont think twice if you need any advice about dealing with stuff like that or groundworks.

[@thecornerhouseproject]

Well ESB have just turned up, installed a meter and clipped the cable up the pole. Drive off again without connecting to the main overhead cable, so looks like it won't be today, although we got very excited for a short time. Thanks for the offer of help with ground works. Our biggest job will be a mini digger to scrape all this bloody mud from around the house, so please feel free to give advice. Our email is in the about section of our channel. 😉 Thank you again 😁

[@coby6417]

🥳🎅🏻🧑🏻‍🎄🌟👏👍🍀💐

[@thecornerhouseproject]

🎄🤛🤩🍀🥳😘