This article reminded me of visiting rural areas in Ireland almost 40 years ago.
Middle of nowhere up on a hillside stood villas that wouldn't look out of place in Puerto Banus or Sotogrande in Spain, and their roadside entrances were built like the ones we saw on tv when watching Dallas at the entrance to Ewing's Southfork Ranch.
I asked ChatGPT
In the 1980s, the people building fancy villas in rural Ireland on remote farmland were often:
1. Returning Emigrants – Many Irish people who had emigrated to the UK, US, or Australia in the 1950s–70s returned home with money saved, wanting to build large, modern homes.
2. Successful Businesspeople & Farmers – Some local farmers or business owners, particularly those involved in construction, transport, or cattle trading, invested in big houses as a status symbol.
3. Developers & Speculators – A few wealthy individuals built large homes as part of early rural property speculation, though this was more common in the 1990s.
4. New Professionals – The 1980s saw some doctors, solicitors, and other professionals choosing scenic rural locations for large homes, though this became more common in the Celtic Tiger era (1990s–2000s).
At the time, these houses often stood out as extravagant compared to traditional Irish cottages and farmhouses. Some were built with styles inspired by homes seen abroad, featuring large bay windows, brick or stucco exteriors, and extensive driveways.