Saoirse Ronan: West Cork Home Demolition & Rebuild Approved | The Journal

Irish actress Saoirse Ronan has been granted planning permission to demolish and rebuild her home in Ballydehob, County Cork, following an initial rejection by Cork County Council in October 2024. The decision allows Ronan to proceed with plans to replace a 1990s dormer bungalow with a significantly larger, modern dwelling.

Ronan purchased the property, known as Boithrin Cottage, in 2020 for over €650,000. The original cottage, measuring 125 square meters, sits on a 2.7-acre site with waterfront access overlooking Roaringwater Bay. The actress’s company, Slaney Productions ULC, submitted plans in August 2024 for a 332 square meter, three-bedroom bungalow designed around a central courtyard.

The initial application was refused due to concerns that the proposed new dwelling would not “fit appropriately into the rural/coastal/high-value landscape” and would “seriously detract from the visual amenities of the area.” Planners also stated that a “reasoned justification for the demolition of the existing modest and well-integrated dwelling has not been submitted.”

The revised plans, which secured approval, apparently addressed these concerns. Details of the changes leading to the approval have not been publicly released. The property boasts views across Roaringwater Bay to Kilcoe Castle, owned by actor Jeremy Irons.

Ronan previously owned a five-bedroom home in Greystones, County Wicklow, which she sold for €1.6 million in 2019 before acquiring the West Cork property. She resided with her parents in the interim.

Ronan married actor Jack Lowden in a private ceremony last year. The rebuilding project is expected to proceed in the coming months, though a timeline for completion has not been announced.