Eric Roberts, the Ireland AM presenter, recently provided an update on the construction of his family’s dream home in Donegal, coinciding with his transition to a full-time role on the popular morning television show. As the family prepares for this new chapter, they are temporarily relocating to Dublin to accommodate his work commitments.
Background on Career Change and Family Relocation
Roberts’ appointment to a permanent position on Ireland AM followed TG4 presenter Síomha Ní Ruairc’s decision to step down after two years earlier this month. Eric currently resides in Donegal with his wife Niamh and their nine-month-old son, Rían. The move to Dublin facilitates his new role, where a significant portion of his filming and presenting duties take place.
Ongoing Construction of the Donegal Dream Home
Despite the move, the family’s home construction continues in Donegal. Roberts shared the latest status in a video posted on Instagram, showing progress on the home’s structure and expressing enthusiasm for the project.
“So people have been asking what we are doing with the house here in Donegal since I got the new job and we are moving to Dublin – we are just taking it down, brick by brick, one brick at a time”
he joked.
“No, we are in fact still building our dream house in Donegal. We are still a bit away from being able to move in,”
he added, highlighting ongoing work on the property.
“We are looking forward to spending a bit of time in Dublin for my new job, but we will be making regular trips back to Donegal, after all the house won’t build itself.”
Roberts also described the excitement the family feels as key interior decisions start to come into view.
“It is really exciting now, because we are starting to look at kitchens, furniture, bathrooms… and we can really imagine what the home is going to look like when it is finished.”
Balancing Work and Family Life with the Move
The content creator has been involved with Ireland AM as a guest co-host before taking on the full-time role. He explained that having a residence in Dublin is practical for his work schedule, which demands frequent filming throughout the week.
“A lot of my filming happens during the week up here [in Dublin] anyway. So it makes sense to have a base up here,”
he told The Irish Sun.
“A lot of Niamh’s friends are up here as well so she’s kind of happy with the move. It’s going to be an easy transition for her. I think harder for me, leaving behind friends and family.”
“We actually put a deposit down on a place yesterday. It’s all happening very, very quickly. But obviously I’m starting next week officially. So we need a new base fairly soon.”
“It’s just an apartment ready to go. We’re obviously building Donegal now, so not ideal to be looking for someone to rent at the same time. But it’s a necessity now to be starting my new job.”
Looking Ahead: Life Between Dublin and Donegal
Eric Roberts and his family face a delicate balancing act as they continue progress on their Donegal building project while embracing their new life in Dublin. The apartment secured in the city will provide a necessary home base during the workweek.
This move represents a significant lifestyle change, reflecting the family’s commitment to both career growth and completing their dream house in Donegal. Regular trips back to the family home site will maintain the momentum on construction, ensuring that they remain connected to their roots even amid new professional demands.
