The launch of a book on the history of Connemara’s Renvyle House, ‘A Sea-grey House – the history of Renvyle House’ by J.A. Lidwill will take place at Kenny’s Bookshop on Friday, October 6th at 6pm and all are welcome.

Tom Kenny will officially launch the book and the author will also speak on the night. “A Sea-grey House” recounts the history of Renvyle House from its origins as an O’Flaherty dwelling in the late 17th century to its present-day status as a modern country-house hotel in Connemara, Co. Galway. After an outline of the long history of the House, its story is told through the lives of its owners and the recollections of its often famous visitors. A chapter is given to each of the four families who have owned it.

It was built originally by a member of the O’Flaherty clan, who had ruled the area since the 14th century. In the early 19th century, Henry Blake enlarged the house into a “Gentleman’s Residence” and the Blakes continued to occupy Renvyle as a private house until 1883, when financial pressures obliged Caroline Blake to take in paying guests and Renvyle House Hotel opened its doors for the first time. The Blakes sold Renvyle in 1917 and the new owner, Dublin poet and surgeon Oliver St. John Gogarty, restored it as a private house, and Renvyle became a meeting-place for the poets and artists who would help to create the new Irish Free State. When Gogarty became a target of the Republican faction during the Civil War, Renvyle House was burnt to the ground in 1923. It was rebuilt by Gogarty, and reopened, once more as a hotel, in 1930.

After an initial period of success, the Second World War brought another decline in business. In 1952 the house was sold again. For the last seventy years Renvyle House has been owned by the Coyle family, who have made it the successful hotel it is today, skilfully blending modernity and tradition to create the unique atmosphere that the hotel enjoys today.

This book records Renvyle’s journey through 400 years of Irish history, politics and culture, all of which are carefully preserved and celebrated in “A sea-grey house, whereby the blackbird sings”.

All are welcome to the booklaunch, which is free to attend. Refreshments will be served, and copies of the book will be available to purchase in Kenny’s on the night. You can also already order copies online on www.kennys.ie.