Cregg Castle will be a haven for artists

By SIOBHÃÂN HOLLIMAN THERE are plans to transform 17th century Cregg Castle in Corrandulla into a haven for artists. Salthill native Alan Murray, whose relatives are former owners of the extensive property, is establishing the castle as a residency for artists who would also help to maintain the historic buildings.[private] Alan's grandfather, Martin Murray, purchased the property in 1972. He grew vegetables in the old walled garden and he raised beef for the kitchen of his Salthill Hotel in Galway. His daughter, Ann Marie, and her husband Patrick Broderick, later ran the castle as a B&B from 1990 to 2006 and it was especially popular with musicians. The castle was sold in 2007 to its current owner and planning permission for a 100-bedroom hotel, leisure centre and nine-hole golf course was secured. However the economic downturn has meant the plans were never further developed and the castle has been unoccupied for a number of years. Alan, who spent much of his youth there, didn't want to see the castle neglected and approached the owner with his idea for an artists' residency. 'He (the owner) is living in London and has a busy life there. He was happy to have someone with a connection to the place help save it from further deterioration,' said Alan, himself an artist. 'I made arrangements with the owner to try and open the castle as an arts centre and have been inviting artists to make submissions to take up the nine residential spaces available,' he added. Each artist will have a working and living space. The communal areas include a large internal studio, kitchen, dining room and living rooms. Alan hopes that with a bit of work, the gallery and workshop space will host exhibitions and events. 'The property has been locked up for a couple of years and I was surprised that it has remained in such good condition. There is a bit of plumbing work to be carried out and some fresh paint needed but nothing too extensive,' said Alan, who will move in next week. As part of the deal, the artists who live in Cregg Castle will agree to volunteer their time for one day a week to help carry out repair and maintenance works to the main building and outhouses. 'I was disappointed to see it unused and I don't want to see it fall into further disrepair. The owner is happy for it to be used,' added Alan. The nine residential places will be made available from next month for one year and already the concept has attracted interest from all over the world. 'I've had contact from artists in Mexico and America as well as Ireland and Europe,' said Alan. He intends to be quite selective when choosing the final nine and is eager to get them set up as soon as possible. The artists will have to pay rent of about €100 per week and give up a day each week to work on the property. The castle is located on 180 acres of woodland, meadow and pasture with a river meandering through. It was built by the Clement Kirwan family in 1648 and was later inherited by chemist Richard Kirwan in 1754. Remains of his laboratory are still in the orchard. There is a Queen Anne bell tower in the yard and also a little chapel in the castle. After the Kirwans came the Blakes who stayed until 1947. Cregg Castle is described as being one of the last â€Ëœfortified mansions' in Ireland and some walls are more than five feet thick. The castle was sold to an English couple in the 1940s. They carried out some restoration but after a few decades the castle fell into serious decline and was given new life in the 1970s by the Murray and Broderick families. Alan is the latest generation of the family to be linked with the property and is hoping that the artists' residency will breath new life into the castle. 'It's about creating a feeling of harmony and purpose within the castle, a creative, colourful, interactive, re­source­ful, supportive, and homely energy,' commented Alan, who is still accepting submissions via email to alan.murrayartist@gmail. com.[/private]