Planning sought for artist’s studio and gallery in Downings

Planning permission is being sought from Donegal County Council for the construction of an artist’s studio and gallery space in Downings. 

Proposed plans consist of the demolition of existing derelict store as part of site clearance to facilitate the construction, which used to be the former family home of the Boyce’s, a family that ran a former grocery and drapery store nearby to the site location, until the shop closed in 1988.

The listed applicant, Philip Boyce, inherited the site from his late father, Joseph Boyce, and “would like to do something with it in his lifetime which would make a positive contribution to the Downings area.”

According to the support documents, “there is a glaring absence in the area of any provision for the arts.”

It was argued that: “A creative space where local artists could have a platform to exhibit and trade. 

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“There is a local Photographic Studio (Rita Wilson Photography) in the main street in Downings, but the nearest art gallery is in Dunfanaghy 24km from Downings. The nearest internationally known gallery is the Glebe Gallery in Churchill, Co. Donegal, 34km from Downings. This cultural and artistic vacuum in the area is a deficit in the local amenity map. 

“Recent developments have built and expanded on the already established golfing, hotel, bar, and restaurant provisions but very little has been formally developed promoting the art scene. 

“A development of this kind must be supported to diversify the offering available to contribute to the Downings community as well as the existing tourist population.”

Donegal County Council has yet to set a decision due date on the submitted application for the planned artist’s studio and gallery space.