A €2.5 million fundraising drive has been started to develop an artists' retreat in Co Kerry.
Arts Trust Ireland, which hopes to develop the retreat in Ballyheigue within two years, was launched last night by Minister for Arts John O'Donoghue and Lord Mayor of Dublin Catherine Byrne.
The trust, a non-profit organisation founded by a group of artists and business people, plans to raise funds for a purpose-built centre for writers, artists and craftmakers.
A typewriter belonging to Christy Brown, as well as an unpublished poem by the writer, were among items auctioned last night to raise funds for the project. Brown lived in Ballyheigue for several years.
Nathaly de Mey, of Arts Trust Ireland, said artists would not have to pay to stay and work at the centre.