The Cill Rialaig retreat at Balliskelligs, Co Kerry, has hosted hundreds of international artists since its founder, Ms Noelle Campbell-Sharp, began turning the abandoned pre-Famine village into a creative haven.
Each year Cill Rialaig accommodates up to 110 visiting artists who are offered the chance to reacquaint themselves with the muse in tranquil surroundings.
The retreat is normally off limits to casual visitors but needs must, and in these troubled times for tourism the retreat has joined with the Sheen Falls Lodge in Kenmare to offer art lovers' weekends to bolster tourist numbers.
The concept was launched in Kenmare last weekend when the hotel opened every available space to "Thy Kingdom Come", an exhibition of landscapes and seascapes by Irish and international artists who have previously stayed at Cill Rialaig. The common theme is that the work of each artist was inspired by the beauty of Kerry. The first weekend will be held on December 8th and 9th at the lodge and will include a tour of the Cill Rialaig project. There will also be a short lecture on Irish art by art historian Mr Brian Coyle. The weekend will be rounded off with a presentation and discussion on antiques-collecting.