Buy this painting - and get a house free

A KILKENNY artist is harnessing his creativity in an effort to sell his house. Dan Lenehan, who is exhibiting his work on the fringe of the Kilkenny Arts Festival, is offering the buyer of an oil painting called Capital Heads – which depicts images of stone carvings from a local mediaeval church – a free house in which to hang the canvass.

At his exhibition outside the mediaeval city hall, he explained that he was using the opportunity to “sell my art and my home at the same time”. The 39-year-old has priced the painting at €205,000 – easily the most expensive artwork on sale this week – but the buyer gets a semi-detached house free.

The three-bedroom house, built in 2005, has a large converted attic, “a nice garden – with side entrance” and parking for three cars. But its “unique selling point” is what the artist calls “freeview”.

The house overlooks the GAA stadium, Nowlan Park and may attract interest from hurling fans seeking a home near this hallowed ground. Mr Lenehan says “it would make a great home for a GAA supporter” as it is possible to watch matches involving Henry Shefflin and his Kilkenny All-Ireland winning teammates “from the comfort of your own home”. The stadium also hosts concerts.

And, of course, whoever buys the house, would have at least one picture to hang on the walls.

Mr Lenehan hopes to sell the painting by the close of the festival on Sunday. It is on display at the Tholsel building on Kilkenny’s High Street until then.