Open House Galway Your Key to Galway’S Architecture 10 - 13 October 2013

Your Key To Galway’s Architecture www.openhousegalway.ie

Féile Ailtireachta na Gaillimhe Open House Galway Your key to Galway’s architecture 10 - 13 October 2013

in partnership with

1 Open House Galway 10 - 13 October 2013 A special thanks to all our sponsors

BROWNES great food • craft beers • fine wines

2 Your Key To Galway’s Architecture Chairman’s Welcome

Open House Galway this year has developed a full programme of building visits for its 5th year running. Galway citizens can learn about their unique built environment in this festival. These visits may inform a sustainable and ecological strategy for its architecture of the future.

Galway’s architectural gems open their doors for new visitors. The concept of Open House is to connect people with buildings in their environs, giving them an insight into their history. This year we share this weekend with Chicago, London, Lisbon, Barcelona, Dublin, Rome and New York. A global community of visitors to Architecture are connected in this concept.

With regard to our ecological footprint for the built environment of the future we feature a talk on Passive House and also link to a building tour of the energy efﬁciency projects undertaken in Portumna Workhouse in the County. This year’s talk Rural v Urban: Housing for the future is sure to generate much discussion and debate.

The year we have merged music with Architecture in two events in the programme. Acoustics in design is crucial and to demonstrate this we feature a performance by Con Tempo in the Aula Maxima (as part of NUIG’s series of events Space and Sound), and an Architecture Nightclub with music and images merged together for our enjoyment.

A cycle tour will highlight the iconic Blackrock Tower in Salthill, the old ‘McDonagh’s’ building and the Nurses building in UCHG. These buildings have withstood time and have shown an adaptable quality that lend to many uses.

New Schools in the City and County feature this year, namely the Jesuit School in the city and the new Oughterard School. These building will showcase the most modern additions to the programme.

A bus tour, new to the Festival, will provide a day trip to several highlights of architecture through the centuries in the south of the county. The Lighthouse on Inis Oirr will open its doors again for Open House.

We hope the chefs out there will create an interesting array of architectural feasts in the Edible Architecture event. We are delighted to provide our young enthusiasts with childrens workshops from Elaine O’Mahony’s ‘Clever Box Club’.

We are particularly indebted to Martina Moloney, County Manager and Brendan McGrath, City Manager, who have come on board with visits to many of the architectural gems across the City and County.

Again Galway, this is your Festival, ‘come and see what’s behind the magic door’ of our Open House Festival.

Eleanor Ryan Chairperson, Open House Galway 2013.

3 Open House Galway 10 - 13 October 2013 Open House Galway Information

• Entry – all building tours, visits, walking tours, talks, children’s workshops are free

• Pre-booking is essential for some events and will be given on a “ﬁrst come basis”. For Children’s Workshops/Clever Box Club, email [email protected], and provide name and contact number. For Mutton Island, email: [email protected], and provide name and contact number.

For Ballinderry Park, email: [email protected] or phone 091 509121.

For Architectural tour of South Galway, call Margarita at 087 9069191, or email: [email protected]

• Directions for each building are available on the Open House website www.openhousegalway.ie

• Cycling Tour – participants are advised to wear high viz jackets and cycling helmets. Bring your own bike!

• Tips on ‘Planning Your Day’: Some building visits in County Galway are arranged to facilitate visitors going from one to another. Allow travel time between visits and drive safely – many country roads are narrow. Please park responsibly. Many of the country houses are private homes so please respect the wishes and privacy of the hosts.

• Inis Oirr – please check ferry times from Doolin (www.doolinferries.com – 065 7074 455) and Rossaveal (www.aranislandferries.com – 91 572050) for the Inis Oirr Trek. Consider making a night of it and enjoy the beauty of Inis Oirr (for accommodation see www.inisoirr.ie)

4 Your Key To Galway’s Architecture Rural v Urban: Housing for the future

Illustrated Talk by local architects Patrick McCabe and Rosie Webb

As Ireland recovers from years of austerity, a new housing crisis may emerge with an unsustainable shortage of suitable accommodation, to serve future demographic needs.

This illustrated talk will look at the challenges and opportunities of rural and urban settlements and show innovative and sustainable house types and their relevance in years to come.

Patrick McCabe is an Architect in private practice with over 20 years of experience in the West of Ireland. During that time, his design work, especially one off houses received much acclaim and national awards.

Rosie Webb is an Architect and Urban Designer and has held the position of Senior Executive Architect in Galway City Council for 10 years, in which her responsibilities include policy formation and strategic planning. Rosie previously worked in London, Chicago, and Dublin, and also teaches in the School of Architecture, University of Limerick.

Thursday, 10 October 2013 8pm The Kitchen Café & Restaurant, Galway City Museum

Contempo - Space and Sound: Aula Maxima, NUI Galway

We are delighted to be part of NUIG’s Space and Sound series. This concert takes place in their newly refurbished Aula Maxima. Contempo, Galway’s Musicians in Residence, will perform a lunchtime concert, which will demonstrate the acoustic quality of the space. 1pm Friday, 11 October 2013

Mutton Island

Mutton Island lighthouse was established as a small single keeper station in 1817, and was automated and converted to unwatched in 1958. The building has been restored in recent years under the guidance of Jim Higgins, Heritage Ofﬁcer, Galway City Council, and provides a unique record of the location and life in the Lighthouse. FriIday, 11 October 2012 1pm: Tour 1 2pm: Tour 2 Pre-booking only: Email: [email protected], and provide name and contact number. Children must be over 10 years.

5 Open House Galway 10 - 13 October 2013 Irish Architecture Showcase Exhibition

Opening and launch of Open House Galway 2013

Irish Architects are renowned throughout the world for their design skills and broad level of expertise. Their growing international success was celebrated in an unique architecture showcase in Shanghai City and at Tongii University in late 2012. This visually stunning exhibition now comes to Open House Galway, and provides a context for Ireland’s built heritage- both historic and contemporary, on the international stage. The exhibited buildings and spaces represent best in class, designed by the new generation of Irish Architects in recent years. This showcase exhibition is not to be missed and is free to all at the City Museum.

Friday, 11 October 2013 6pm Galway City Museum Exhibition runs daily until 30 October

6 Your Key To Galway’s Architecture Children’s Workshops

Clever Box Club

Free interactive event allowing children to create their own imaginative architecture with architect, Elaine Mahoney and the “Clever Box Club” Pre-booking only: Email: [email protected], and provide name and contact number.

Age 7 - 12 years Saturday, 12 October 2013 11am Galway City Museum 1pm Galway City Museum

K’nex

Free event where children can build using K’nex – the next generation of construction sets. K’nex inspires creativity and the possibilities are endless. No booking required

Age 7 - 14 years Saturday, 12 October 2013 3pm Galway City Museum

Edible Architecture Competition

Come and see the delicious architectural delights – edible, colourful and way out, as part of this fun event.You are are invited to create and bring your edible architecture for display to the City Museum between 12 and 1pm on Saturday 13 October. The winners will be announced at 3pm. No need to register … just come along. Prizes sponsored by Grifﬁn’s Bakery

Saturday, 12 October 2013 1 -5pm Galway City Museum

7 Open House Galway 10 - 13 October 2013 Architectural Building Visits

Friday 11 October 2013

Whitestrand House

Ability West open their door to a modern day centre that has been designed to meet the needs of their service users with intellectual and physical disabilities. The building incorporates geothermal heating and solar panels as part of its renewable energy generation. 11am Whitestrand House, Grattan Road.

Saturday 12 October 2013

Courthouse Square and Town Hall Theatre

Could this be Galway’s latest cultural quarter in years to come?. This tour explores this unique part of the city and gets behind the scenes in the Townhall Theatre and Galway Courthouse. 11am Meeting Point: Courthouse Square

Galway Culture

A tour focused on the established drama spaces of Galway, Druid Theatre and the newly refurbished Taibhdhearc Theatre. We add to this the latest cultural icon, the new Palace Theatre, which will reinforce this cultural quarter of the city.

3pm Meeting Point: Spanish Arch

8 Your Key To Galway’s Architecture Architectural Building Visits

Saturday 12 October 2013

Nile Lodge

A house built in 1807 for Captain Hutchinson embodies many nautical references to Admiral Nelson’s ﬂeet. This early 19th century house has beautifully proportioned rooms. The adaptable design meets the needs of its current owners. This is a new addition to Open House Galway and a must see on this year’s programme. Pre-booking essential.

12.30pm Meeting Point: Nile Lodge, Lower Salthill

Colaiste Iognaid…The Jes

A new era in the Jes is celebrated in this recently completed refurbishment and Extension. Old and new have been skilfully integrated to provide a modern educational campus for the needs of 600 students. The tour will be guided by Project Architects, BDP who will give insights into current and sustainable educational design. Local Contractors, Purcell Construction recently completed this challenging inﬁll construction project.

2pm Meeting Point: The Jes, Sea Road

9 Open House Galway 10 - 13 October 2013 Croí House

Croí house is an institute dedicated to Prevention, Rehabilitation, Research and Education in relation to Heart and Stroke. The building, which will be guided by, chief executive, Neil Johnson contains conference facilities, meeting rooms, exercise and ﬁtness centre, consultancy rooms and self contained accommodation and was completed by Carey Construction in 2012. Saturday, 12 October 2013 3pm Meeting Point: Croi House, Moyola Lane, Newcastle (off Thomas Hynes Rd)

Passive House Talk

An illustrated public talk about designing and building a Passive House...it’s challenges, design opportunities, and beneﬁts.

Presented by local Architect, Eleanor Ryan.

There will be two guided tours of Portumna Work at 11.30 and 2.30 on Sunday 13 October, focusing on recent work, especially energy efﬁciency in traditional building. See page 13 for details. Saturday, 12 October 2013 4pm Galway City Museum

Woodquay Design With Communities

The School of Architecture at University of Limerick together with Galway City Council presents the exhibition ‘Imaginative Neighborhood Woodquay’. From September 30th -October 10 in the Town Hall Theater Foyer. SAUL hosts the display of design proposals for interim use projects in Woodquay resulting from the “Design with Communities” collaborative design week focused on the questions ‘Have we lost the use of our streets a community resource? Can we imagine them differently? Thursday, 10 - Saturday 12 October 2013 10am-5pm Town Hall Theatre Foyer

10 Your Key To Galway’s Architecture Architectural Tour of South Galway

Saturday 12 October 2013. Departure at 9.30am from Galway Bus Station.

Architectural tour of South Galway visiting 1 10 centuries of buildings with FREE entry to each site and guided tour. Pre-book contact Margarita on 087 9069191 or email [email protected]

Kilmacduagh Monastery 1 Kilmacduagh Monastery was founded in the 7th century. Five churches, a round tower and abbot’s house are what remain of this once very prosperous 2 4 settlement on this iconic monastic site overlooking the Burren. The round tower, is notable as both a ﬁne example of this particularly Irish building type but also because of its noticeable lean, over half a metre from the vertical.

Coole Park 2 Coole Park has associations with Lady Gregory 7 and the Irish Literary Movement. It is set within a 6 demesne which contains the site of Coole House, a walled garden and many specimen trees. A range of seven-bay two-storey former outbuildings, with three-storey central bay, c.1785 was renovated c.1995 to house a restaurant and visitors’ centre.

Gregory Museum Kiltartan National School was built in 1892 at the Woodville Gardens 6 behest of the local landlord, Sir William Gregory of Woodville Gardens (including dove cote) has been Coole Park, Gort. The architect, Francis Persse, was restored over the last 10 years. The adjoining stables his brother in law. Its Arts and Crafts style is very have been restored and retain many of its original unusual in Galway as is the choice of materials used. features. It is now a museum and exhibits photos, letters and artifacts belonging to Lady Augusta Thoor Ballylee 4 Gregory’s family. A 15th century tower house , renovated by architect W.A. Scott for the Nobel winning poet W.B.Yeats in St Brendan’s Cathedral 7 the 1920s. Sited beside a bridge of 1825 it occupies a Built in a dramatic Gothic Revival style architecture to picturesque setting . (No access at present ) a design by William Byrne St Brendan’s Cathedral (1897 - 1903) is of signiﬁcant architectural and artistic merit, Roxborough Gates while the interior showcases a signiﬁcant collection Roxborough House , birthplace of Lady Gregory, was of twentieth-century Irish stained glass and other burned in 1922. The imposing entrance gates survive decorative arts of the period. An Túr Gloine (Tower of and were renovated last year using traditional Glass). Evie Hone, Childe. Purser, Michael Shortall and materials to best conservation standards. The quality William A. Scott are all represented. of the cast and wrought iron gates is exceptional. www.ladygregoryyeatstrail.com

11 Open House Galway 10 - 13 October 2013 Inis Oirr Building Visits

Saturday, 12 October 2013

Inis Oirr Lighthouse, Inis Oirr

This dramatically situated lighhouse, on the south of Inis Oirr is set within an extensive compound including two keepers cottages. www.cil.ie IRELAND

FÁILTE 1pm to 4pm ©

Island Dwelling, Formna, Inis Oirr

The design is taken from the simplicity of the landscape; working with the given contours, solar orientation and making reference to traditional design. The construction with breathable honeycomb-structure clay masonry building blocks achieves close to Passive House Standards. Tours at 1pm, 2pm, 3pm and 4pm

Galway County Building Visits

Sunday, 13 October 2013. Meet at the venues. For full directions please see: www.openhousegalway.ie

Bookeen Hall

Church of Ireland church built in 1808. Part of the Dunsandle estate, the church was used for services by the estate’s Church of Ireland congregation. Built in stone, the rectangular hall with its large gothic windows and solid bell-tower can be seen across ﬁelds and woodland, making it a distinctive and well known local landmark. It was unused since 1920 and exactly 200 years after it was built it was given a new lease of life and converted into a two bedroom home. www.formerglory.ie

12 noon - 4pm GPS: 53.26596 - 8.62645

12 Your Key To Galway’s Architecture Galway County Building Visits

Sunday, 13 October 2013. Meet at the venues. For full directions please see: www.openhousegalway.ie

Monivea Greens

Monivea was laid out by the improving landlord Robert ffrench in the early 18th century. The streetscape, laid out around the former ﬂax drying greens, is centred on the axis of the entrance to Monivea Demesne, with the former Charter School closing the other vista. It retains many ﬁne buildings of interest. 11am GPS: 53.37433 - 8.703445 ffrench Mausoleum, Monivea Woods

The ffrench mausoleum was designed by Francis Persse (1897 - 1901), to contain the tombs of Robert ffrench and his daughter Kathleen who inherited vast tracts of land in both Russia and Ireland. She commemorated her father with a life size efﬁgy in Carrara marble placed within the chapel of the castellated building, which is situated within the wooded demesne of their former home. 12 noon GPS: 53.37224 - 8.687638

Portumna Workhouse

Portumna Workhouse opened in 1851. Built to a standard plan designed by George Wilkinson, it remained in operation until 1922 when the new state was founded. A conservation and restoration project has been carried out over recent years focusing on bringing the building back into use, allowing visitors to experience the atmosphere of the place combined with providing new community facilities. The tour will focus on recent work, especially energy efﬁciency in traditional building. www.irishworkhousecentre.ie 11.30am & 2.30pm GPS: 53.09981 - 8.223027

Raford House

Raford House is a large imposing country house dating from c. 1760 and attributed to the architect Francis Bindon. Its ashlar limestone walls are evidence of highly skilled craftsmen and of the wealth of the Daly family who built it. The facade has a pedimented Doric doorcase and large Diocletian and small circular windows above. The interior retains contemporary joinery, chimneypieces and a profusion of decorative plasterwork. 1pm - 3pm GPS: 53.28328 - 8.593251

13 Open House Galway 10 - 13 October 2013 Galway County Building Visits

Meet at the venues. For full directions please see: www.openhousegalway.ie

Ross Castle

Ross Castle is a large country house of c. 1770, incorporating the fabric of a c. 1590 tower house, and other phases. The interior contains a stone vaulted basement and a 17th century chimneypiece. The house was renovated by its current owners, starting in 1985. A large stable yard at the side is converted to accommodation. The imposing building is set in a demesne overlooking Ross Lake. Formerly the home of the Martins, it was the home of Violet, of the Somerville and Ross writing duo. 12 noon - 4pm Saturday and Sunday GPS: 53.38213 - 9.236165

Oughterard National School

Scoil Chuimin agus Caitriona is a newly built 16-classroom junior school designed by the multi-award-winning team at simon j kelly + partners architects and built by JJ Rhatigan & Company as a cloister building arranged around a central courtyard at the heart of the school. The courtyard is crafted as an outdoor classroom and a safe, sheltered playground for smaller children. Each classroom is a different colour, and ﬁlled with natural daylight from two directions. The build and design quality is an achievement within modest Department of Education budgets, and is a testament to the potential of architecture to enhance the quality of our lives with everyday materials. The tour will be conducted by Design and Project Architect, Dermot McCabe.

Directions: 25 minutes by car from Galway, go through Oughterard, cross over bridge turn right and follow road around to left to the school.

2.30pm Sunday, 13 October 2013 Meet at main entrance

14 Your Key To Galway’s Architecture Architectural Walking Tour: Galway Waterways

Sunday, 13 October 2013

A fascinating tour by Dr. Jackie Uí Chionna exploring the intricate network of waterways and their commercial, historical and amenity importance. From medieval times to the present, the waterways have inﬂuenced the architectural and urban form of the City.

1pm Meeting Point: Spanish Arch

Tour will take approx 1 hour and 30 minutes

NUI Galway Walking Tour

Sunday, 13 October 2013

This tour will focus on the new generation of buildings in the architecturally diverse campus of NUI Galway. Starting at the Quad, and a visit to the Presidents Quarters, the tour will include the New Library Extension, The award Winning New Engineering Building, Aras Moyola and many more. The University’s ongoing investment in improved infrastructure and facilities, coupled with the enhanced reputation in research and teaching has see NUI Galway jump in the international rankings.

3pm Meeting Point: The Quad

15 Open House Galway 10 - 13 October 2013 Galway County Building Visits

Sunday, 13 October 2013. Meet at the venues. For full directions please see: www.openhousegalway.ie

Claregalway Castle, Claregalway

A guided tour by the owner highlighting the remarkable restoration and transformation project. Caisleán Baile an Chlár is a 15th century Clanricard Castle, on the site of an older wooden structure and has served as a fortiﬁed residence and a military base. Rescued from dereliction and decay some 10 years ago, the restored structure is impressive and displays amazing craftsmanship. The stone work and woodwork of the great hall roof are to marveled at. Home to Galway www.claregalwaycastle.com Garden Festival and Galway Music Festival. Tours at 12 noon and 2pm

Ballinderry Park, Kilconnell, Ballinasloe

Ballinderry Park is a small, beautiful Georgian house, like a perfect Palladian doll’s house, built on a small hill in the open pasture of east County Galway. Twelve years ago Susie and George Gossip found it and rescued it from advanced dereliction. In the intervening period they have slowly restored it, authentically and lovingly, and for the last six years their visitors have been able to experience the fruits of their labours. 2 - 4pm Saturday and Sunday GPS: 53.32218 - 8.399167 www.ballinderrypark.com Pre booking essential: [email protected] or 091 509121 Cycling Tour: 50’s Galway

Sunday, 13 October 2013 Note: All cyclists should bring their own bike, high viz jacket and helmet.

This cycling tour will revisit many of Galway’s obvious but often overlooked architectural gems from bygone years. Guided by local architects, Eleanor Ryan, and Sarah Kelly, the tour will include the iconic Diving Tower at Blackrock, Seapoint, The Fire Station, McDonaghs, Merchants Road and many more.

12 noon Meeting Point: Blackrock, Salthill Tour will take 1 hr and 30 min approx. Cycling distance 7km

16 Your Key To Galway’s Architecture County Locations

For full directions to all properties please see: www.openhousegalway.ie Portumna Ballinasloe Portumna Workhouse St Brendan’s Cathedral Bookeen Hall Loughrea Ballinderry Park Raford House Raford ffrench Mausoleum Kilchreest Roxborough Gates Thoor Ballylee Gort Monivea Athenry Claregalway Castle Kilmacduagh Monastery Tuam Craughwell Kinvara Woodville Gardens Woodville Coole Park Claregalway Ross Castle rmna Gregory Museum Galway , Fo Oughterard Oughterard NS Island Dwelling Inis Oirr Lighthouse Inis Oirr

17 Open House Galway 10 - 13 October 2013

OPEN HOUSE FESTIVAL CLUB OPEN HOUSE FESTIVAL CLUB 9pm Saturday 12th October 2013 9pm Saturday 12th October 2013 MOD ERN

ISM.finger food / late bar / free admission ISM.slidefinger show food by architect/ late Dermotbar / free McCabe admission 20thslide show century by musicarchitect on Dermot vinyl records McCabe by DJs20th Mr century Whippy, music Dave on Barry vinyl records & Andy byR DJs Mr Whippy, Dave Barry & Andy R upstairs at upstairs at

18 Your Key To Galway’s Architecture Míle Buíochas – Sponsors

Open house would not be possible without the generous support of all our sponsors. We are very grateful to all the contractors who have come on board in these challenging times. These contractors have made their contribution to the architectural heritage of Galway, both in the county and in the City. I say míle buíochas to JJ Rhatigan and Co., John McNamara and Sons, Purcell Construction, Glenman Corporation, Ger McNamara of KCL, Stewarts, Paul Carey, and Burns Construction.

We are particularly indebted to both our City and County Managers , Brendan McGrath and Martina Moloney who have rowed in behind Open House for many years, and promote the core value of Open House in showcasing the best of Galway’s architectural heritage, both old and new. After all, Architecture and the built environment are our best assets in attracting visitors and making Galway city and County a very pleasant place to live and work. My sincere thanks go to Ciaran Hayes, Tom Connell, Jim Higgins and Billy Dunne in the City Council, and to Mairin Doddy and Grainne Smyth in the County Council for all their help and support. We wish Eithne Verling every success in her new position as Director of the City Museum and thank her for hosting open house events this year.

We are very grateful to Ollie Daniels of Avaya, (who sponsored the very successful “HOUSE” exhibition in OH 2012), Aoife and Michelle of the Kitchen Cafe at the Museum, Ard Bia at Nimmos (thanks Darling), and new sponsor, Busker Brownes, who are hosting the Architecture Nightclub event. We thank the RIAI for support and promoting quality architecture nationally, and the Irish Architecture Foundation, and Open City, London, which help guide Open House worldwide. Finally, we are again thankful to Declan Dooley and his team at the Galway Independent, who have promoted and continue to support open house Galway.

Go Raibh Maith Agat – Volunteers

Open House is organised and run by a hard working committee who are passionate about architecture and design. Many thanks to this wonderful group of people and to all those who give their time in conducting tours and making the Festival a success…our new chairperson, Eleanor Ryan, Emer Maughan, Denise Dillon, Fiona Donavan, Sarah Kelly, and tour guides Colm Cantillon, Greg Power, Jackie UiChionna, Paul Mannion, and many more.

Finally big thanks to Elaine Mahoney and the Clever Box Club, for inspiring the children, and a special thanks to Noreen Darcy of Darcy Marketing and PR.

Le buíochas, Patrick McCabe Secretary, Open House Galway..

19 Open House Galway 10 - 13 October 2013 Festival Summary

Thursday, 10 October 2013 Rural v Urban: Housing for the future Talk by architects, Patrick McCabe and Rosie Webb 8pm The Kitchen Café & Restaurant, Galway City Museum Friday, 11 October 2013 Building Visits/Guided Tours Whitestrand House; Mutton Island; President’s Ofﬁces, NUI Galway Contempo - Space and Sound 1pm Aula Maxima, NUI Galway Irish Architecture Showcase Exhibition Opening and launch of Open House Galway 6pm Galway City Museum Saturday, 12 October 2013 Architectural Tour of South Galway 9.30am Departure from Galway Bus Station Children’s Workshop 11am, 1pm, 3pm Galway City Museum Building Visits/Guided Tours 11am Courthouse Square and Town Hall Theatre 12.30pm Nile Lodge 2pm Colaiste Iognaid…The Jes 3pm Galway Culture - Meeting at Spanish Parade 3pm Croí House, Moyola Lane, Newcastle (off Thomas Hynes Road) Passive House Talk 4pm Galway City Museum Edible Architecture Competition 1pm - 5pm Galway City Museum County Building Visits/Guided Tours Inis Oirr; Ross Castle; Ballinderry Park; Open House Festival Club 9pm til late Upstairs at Busker Brownes Sunday, 13 October 2013 Cycling Tour: 50’s Galway 12noon Starting from Blackrock, Salthill Architectural Walking Tours 1pm Galway Waterways 3pm Galway University Building Visits/Guided Tours 2.30pm Oughterard National School County Building Visits/Guided Tours Ross House; Ballinderry Park; Claregalway Castle; Bookeen Hall; Monivea; ffrench Mausoleum, Portumna Workhouse; Raford House