This article is from page 8 of the 2014-08-05 edition of The Clare People. OCR mistakes are to be expected so download the original SWF or the rendered page 8 JPG
BOTH the Department of the Arts and the Office of Public Works are passing the buck when it comes to claiming responsibility and authority over any potential purchase of the childhood home of Edna O’Brien for the State.
The plan for State to purchase Drewsboro House in Tuamgraney was launched last month by Labour TD, Michael McNamara, after the property together with nine acres was withdrawn from auction when failing to realise a bid in excess of € 200,000.
The Department of Arts Heritage and the Gaeltacht has said that Minister Heather Humphries or her department has the remit to purchase the property and has deferred the matter to the Office of Public Works.
However, OPW says its a matter for the Department of the Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht, as it hold the purse strings for any potential purchase.
“Since 2011 I have been trying to find ways in which Drewsboro House might be purchased and conserved,” revealed Deputy Michael McNamara when calling on Minister Heather Humphries’ department to buy the property.
“There is now an opportunity for the State to acquire the house for a sum that represents good value for the State and turned into a writers’ retreat and museum, with the Kate O’Brien House in Limerick and the Heinrick Boll Cottage on Achill Island serving as examples of what might be achieved.
“Any community proposal for the future of Drewsboro House could only succeed with the support and blessing of Edna O’Brien.
“I have spoken to her on the future of the house some time ago and I believe that it is her dearest wish to have the house acquired and restored for a suitable purpose,” he added.
In 2007, a plaque extolling Edna O’Brien was unveiled near the entrance to Drewsboro, forty five years after copies of her second novel The Lonely Girl were ceremonially burnt in the church grounds of O’Brien’s home village of Tuamgraney.
The Clare author, famous for her Country Girls trilogy has sold millions of books throughout the world, a number of which have been made into movies.
Edna O’Brien was born in Tuamgraney on December 15th, 1930.