Imen McDonnell on patience, restoring history and the Thatched Farm Project

What brought you to Ireland?

I met and married an Irishman! I agreed to move from the USA on an experimental basis, as I could continue my work here as a freelance producer more easily than he could leave his family business for America. However, that ‘experiment’ turned into 20 years of Irish country living and a very different life and career trajectory for me.

When did the vision for the Thatched Farm Project take off, and how did you make it happen?

The Thatched Farm Project was conceived during the pandemic, inspired by a desire to preserve a vital piece of our local architectural history and to foster community, embracing a simpler rhythm of life. In 2019, we acquired the thatched house, stone barn, small piggery, old milking parlour, a shed, hayloft and a couple of fields. By 2020, we began the painstaking work of restoring them from a near-derelict state.

Initially, the plan was to restore the beautiful old stone barn directly across from the thatched house. I was in the process of applying for a grant to transform it into a community farm shop, café and a side studio for food photography, when I realised the funding likely wouldn’t cover the vision I had in mind. So, Plan B was hatched: renovate the cottage first, rent it for short-term stays and retreats to generate income and return later to complete the barn. Little did we know it would take five years just to bring the cottage back to life!

How long has the whole process taken?

We are now in the fifth year of the project. With the cottage essentially complete, work has begun on the stone barn. After completing the historical research and securing planning permission for the thatch, we started the repairs, carefully preserving the fabric and integrity of the house. There was no real plumbing – just a spigot on the exterior wall – and no heating system, aside from an old Stanley wood-burning cooker in the kitchen and a fireplace in the parlour. There was also no toilet, so these had to be thoughtfully added. The thatch itself needed a complete overhaul, a process that took two years. Through it all, I’ve learned that patience is essential when restoring a historical structure.

As an experienced social media content creator, how important is it for you to be able to capture high-quality photos and videos on your phone?

I take it very seriously and won’t post anything that doesn’t meet my standards for quality. I’d much rather wait for the perfect shot than post something on the fly. That’s why documenting this incredible project was such a joy when using such capable tech like the Galaxy Z Fold7. Its high-resolution 200MP camera captures super stunning images, and its ProVisual Engine editing capabilities and foldable, immersive 8-inch screen make content creation a seamless process. 

What has been the highlight of the Thatched Farm Project?

Having the new thatch finally completed. We installed the gorgeous cottage kitchen and began working on the garden and orchard alongside Catherine Fitzgerald of nearby Glin Castle. We whitewashed the exterior, giving the house a fresh, traditional finish. Having Jessica Glynn photograph the interiors for IMAGE was a truly proud moment for me and our family. Seeing the cottage in print made all the years of hard work feel tangible and real.

Any low points?

The fact that there aren’t better supports in place for people to fix up these historical structures in Ireland. Many are completely derelict, and it is often because there isn’t funding or you can’t get insured. It’s sad to know that there are so few thatched cottages (and other historical buildings) still standing in Ireland for this reason. 

Can you give us an insight into the budget for such a project?

For the cottage, there was far more work involved than we anticipated. For instance, the roof work was €29,000, and I received the maximum grant of €3,800 towards that. Initially, we thought there were just minor repairs needed, so that brought us over our budget right off the bat. 

Working with actual thatch – what was that like?

It was beautiful, fascinating and painstaking. Declan Roche is a hard-working young master thatcher from Waterford who grew up thatching with his father. He would bring harvested water reeds from the River Shannon and do small sections at a time when the weather permitted. You can see these beautiful tall plumed reeds bordering rivers, lakes and wetlands throughout Ireland. 

What do you think are the most important things you have learnt during the renovation experience?

I learned all about thatching, working with lime, pointing, dry stone wall building, but above all? Patience, with a capital P. 

Cottage-core is real. So, any tips for others dreaming of a similar project?

Just do it! Bit by bit, with love and fortitude. It is an incredibly rewarding experience knowing that you are preserving a bit of Irish history in the process. 

Finally, what is next for The Thatched Farm Project? 

We hope to have the stone-arch barn completed soon, to a standard where we can host dinners and events – still rustic, but much more comfortable. And hopefully, one day, I’ll finally have that farm shop and café up and running too. Fingers crossed!

Photography by Jessica Glynn

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