THE GRAND PLANS FOR SIGGINSTOWN CASTLE
A Connecticut couple are bringing it back to life, writes David Tucker
A US-BASED COUPLE with a passion for times past have bought a Wexford castle, the origins of which date back to the 14th century.
Now they are launching a student architectural design competition to create a combination of living space and a community workshop that will complement the historical structure in a project that will take years to complete.
Liz and Gordon Jones, who live in Connecticut, had been considering a ‘renovation’ in France, but bought Sigginstown Castle, in Tacumshane, after seeing it advertised last year and deciding it met all their criteria for a new home, albeit not one in the sun, but in the sunny south east.
‘We do medieval re-enactment and have been interested in medieval and historic buildings for a long time. I was born in Scotland, and we have travelled and lived a lot of places, so living in Europe or abroad was always in our plan,’ said Liz.
‘We stayed settled here in the US while our two kids were growing up. Now that they are in university, we are able to pursue some adventures again! I am a global project manager, so now fit communication and arrangements on this project into my “spare” time, which basically means the early morning hours,’ said Liz.
‘Since we are still living in the US, we intend to do the work in phases, during better-weather months in Ireland. Gordon will be there during that time to supervise. We would also like to involve students and community as we work on the castle,’ she said.
‘Our castle is really a platform and program – a collection of many smaller projects that can involve so many people. This is a once-ina-lifetime opportunity for us, and we’d like to share that opportunity with others.’
They are sponsoring a design contest for students at Irish universities studying architecture or related fields. The prize is €1,000, and an opportunity to see the de- signsign go forward if they can implement all or parts of it.
The design should conserve the tower in a state contemporary with its construction circa 1550. This will be a crudely livable space but with few modern amenities, if any. The attached house, built in the 17th or 18th century, will be the main living space which is envisioned to be fairly open, using the framework of remaining walls and windows, and minimizing the impact on the historical fabric.
The additional remaining structure of two walls, thought to be an agricultural building of later date, can be used for additional living space for guest instructors, rentablefor self-catering, and/or for periodic small community workshops.
The workshops are intended throughout the life of the construction project and beyond. They are envisioned to be around traditional methods such as stonework, cooking, music and dance, traditional crafts, and historical or living history events. Eight Irish universities have been approached to participate in the design contest, which runs until December 18.
Gordon is an emergency medical technician for a local ambulance company and a professional singer and musician who has been singing Irish traditional music and ballads for over 30 years.
The couple have two children, Morgan, who is pursuing an international business degree and who is bemused by the purchase and hopes she gets to travel more because of it, and Ian, who is graduating this December with a degree in digital media and animation.
‘He built the website and does not know why we want a ruinous castle when we have a nice comfy home here. But we are going to win him round! Neither child has visited the castle yet, due to school schedules. They came to Ireland when they were both very young so we hope to bring them back soon and put them to work,’ said Liz.
‘We had a lot of help just getting to this point. Once we started looking in Ireland we met several castle owners and conservation people who were great about sharing their experience.’ A very important contact was Bena Stutchbury, who was project manager for Jeremy Iron’s Kilcoe Cas- tletle renovation.
‘We met her a few years ago in a our hunt and she has helped us long distance throughout the purchase. She is our remote consultant as she is currently living in France working at another castle. Bena is one of the international jury who will judge the design contest.
In Ireland, John Creed, a civil engineer in Wexford, John Begley, architect, and Catherine McLoughlin, an archeologist and conservation consultant, will be on the panel.
In Connecticut, architect Richard Swann and Steven Trinkaus, a civil engineer specialising in low impact development, will also participate.
‘We would also like to involve students and community as we work on the castle,’ said Liz, adding that they hoped to have a few volunteers and neighbours when they are in Tacumshane in early November to help clear brush.
‘Neighbours have been very welcoming and interested in the project. The castle has been part of their life forever, and they seem glad that the site will have some attention. We are looking for more history on the castle, but it appears that it has not been lived in for more than 100 years.’
‘When the building and weather permit, we would like to host music sessions there since we both play/sing (even while we are building)
‘Eventually when the site work progresses, we would like to hold small living history and community events. For example, ‘16th century Day’, or ‘Hearth Cooking’, or ‘Making Medieval Tiles’.
‘We have about 100 ideas so we hope a few of them will pan out. Of course, there are limits to money and energy, but presently we prefer to think of possibilities!’ said Liz. The project will have several phases. ‘We have just completed Phase I – purchase. Phase II will be getting permission from various Irish authorities to renovate. This will require quite a bit of time, archeology, conservation advice and a lot of patience.
‘ The local Wexford planning office has been very supportive and is interested in seeing the project succeed, as the castle is on a historical tourist route they are trying to promote. We expect Phase II to take a year, and we can do most of it remotely, with a couple of shorter visits.’
Liz said that when they eventually get planning permission, they will enter the construction phase which could take several years.
‘ The plan is for Gordon to go over there for the spring through fall seasons and be onsite for construction. He looks forward to passionate conversations with contractors and municipal officials, and playing music in pubs, while Liz stays in the States and bring home a paycheck, plus provide remote project management.
‘ That’s our plan right now. As Winston Churchill said “plans are worthless, but planning is invaluable”,’ she said.
To find out more visit www.sigginstowncastle.com