My favourite room: ‘Everyone told me it was an absolute sin to paint over the sycamore in the kitchen – I did it anyway’

When restaurateurs Paul and Máire Flynn moved back to Dungarvan, they wanted an old house. As there were none available at the time, Máire instead imbued their new build with character by adding colour, texture and comfort

Maire Flynn of The Tannery restaurant in the dining area of her open plan kitchen/dining room — it’s full of light because of the pitched roof and the big expanses of glass. Photo: Tony Gavin

Mary O'Sullivan

Regulars at The Tannery Restaurant in Dungarvan, Co Waterford, and at the other Tannery properties, including the two townhouses and the cookery school, will surely notice that the decor is quite restrained — quiet luxury, tasteful textures, interesting use of fabrics and colour. All in all, lovely places to spend time.

Paul and Máire Flynn own The Tannery and their family home is also delightful but it couldn’t be further in style from the businesses — fun animal sculptures at the doorway, striking wallpapers everywhere, a huge collection of artworks, nature prints and family photos on the walls, and if those walls aren’t papered, they’re painted in ever-changing colours. As Máire herself jokes: “If you stay still in this house for a minute, I’ll paint you.”