Here’s all the essential information about the facilities and guidelines for your stay. Please read this page carefully!
Happy to help!
We really want you to get the best out of your residency so we’re happy to help you as much, or as little, as you need! We’ll never be far away if you need a lift, an opinion, a recommendation or just want to know how to work the coffee machine! Whether you’re seeking solitude or collaboration, as long as we know in advance, we will assist you.
Here’s our mobile numbers so it will be easy to stay in touch via Whatsapp.
Sean 00 353 87 2524657
Miranda 00 353 87 8393332
Local Transport
Ideally, it is best to have your own vehicle with you. That will make it easier for you to explore the area independently. If you won’t have a vehicle with you we can assist you with local transport. We can also arrange for pick ups at the bus or train station. We will work all this out with you before you travel. Please refer to the ‘Getting Here’ page of this website for details of buses, trains, and directions to get here.
Parking
There are five parking spaces directly outside. You can reverse directly up to the front door of the cottage to unload any of your gear. There’s usually a few vehicles coming and going so we will give you a preferred parking space once you get settled in.
24/7 Access
On arrival, we’ll give you a tour of the premises and help you get set up. You will be given a key of the front door of the cottage when you arrive. You will have 24/7 access to the cottage, but no loud noise between 10pm and 7am please. When you are exiting the cottage, you must lock the door from the outside. Try not to lose this key! When you are entering the cottage, please lock the door again on the inside. Our gallery is open to the public, but visitors must ring the bell for admission. This front door must also be locked at night before you go to bed. Please do not leave the key in the lock overnight. We will show you a place where we like to leave the key.
WIFI
There is high speed reliable broadband throughout the building, including the loft bedroom. The WiFi code is thearthand
The Cottage
The cottage and our adjoining home was built in 2012. The cottage is a replica of the cottage that stood here for hundreds of years. It’s a highly insulated space with efficient underfloor heating, triple glazing and a heat recovery ventilation system. The window in the loft bedroom faces exactly towards the prevailing weather so you can monitor the approaching weather from your bed! The cottage has a traditional tin roof which adds to the acoustic drama during a storm! From the window, you can see across the grass roof of our adjoining home to the Celtic Sea and Mine Head in the distance.
Accessibility
The ground floor of the cottage is fully wheelchair accessible, including the gallery, office, shower room and tool room. However the loft bedroom is accessed by a quirky but steep stairs!
Loft Bedroom
Residents will stay in a small loft bedroom in the cottage above The Art Hand gallery. The space is compact, accessed by a steep staircase, and best suited to one person although there are two single beds. It offers a stunning view of the Copper Coast. You are welcome to rearrange the layout in the loft bedroom. For example, you may decide to pull the two single beds together to make a double. Please return things to their original locations before you leave! If you need some help, just give us a shout. It’s best to come down the stairs backwards and please use the handrails provided.
Office/Kitchenette
There is space in our office if you would like to set up your laptop. There are plenty of sockets if you need to recharge batteries. This little room will double as a kitchenette for your stay. There are basic cooking facilities in this space including a two ring electric hob, a small fridge, a sink, a kettle, a coffee machine and a coffee grinder. There is always a nice selection of teas and coffees to choose from. There isn’t a separate dining space so you are welcome to use this room to eat your meals but please tidy everything away afterwards.
Meals
Tell us in advance the kind of foods you like to eat and we will supply all the ingredients you need. Fresh fruit and vegetables, cereals, milk, snacks and so on. In general you will be preparing your own meals, self service. If you are heading out for the day, be sure to make a packed lunch before you go. On some of the days, if the timing suits, we will provide home cooked meals. Be sure to let us know if you have any dietary requirements. Alternatively, if you’d prefer to bring your own food and prepare it fully yourself, that is also fine.
Keep it Clean!
Remember, the cottage is a shared space open to the public with a functioning gallery, office and studios. Please keep shared spaces neat and tidy. Please don’t store coats, bags, and equipment in the gallery. We will find a place in the tool room for any bulky items you need to store downstairs.
Waste and Recycling
Our intention is to keep food waste to a minimal. Please watch the dates on produce so that we can make sure that everything is used efficiently. There are three small bins in the office/kitchenette…
There is a recycle bin for clean cardboard, paper and plastic packaging. Tin cans can also be placed in here as long as they are cleaned.
There is a compost bin for compostable teabags, egg shells and vegetable peelings. Please do not add meats or food cooked in oil.
There is a general waste bin for things that can’t be recycled or composted like contaminated packaging, baby wipes, cotton buds, and sanitary items.
Glass items must be kept separate as they are brought for recycling to the nearby bottle bank in Bunmahon.
Plastic bottles and aluminum cans must be kept separate as they need to be brought to a local supermarket to redeem the purchase deposit.
We keep our coffee grinds separate to use as fertiliser.
Think before you flush! We have a state-of-the-art treatment system buried in our garden. It uses natural enzymes to break down solids and liquids. Do not flush wet wipes or sanitary items down the toilet.
There are three large wheelie bins located behind the main gate of our driveway. Please regularly empty the bins from the cottage into these bins.
- The green bin is the recycling bin.
- The black bin is the general waste.
- The brown bin is the compost bin.
Happy to Help! If you’re not familiar with recycling and all this sounds complicated we’re happy to show you how it works!
Laundry
We can arrange a suitable day for you to come and do your laundry in our adjoining home.
Tool Room
We do not have a large studio space to offer you but we are happy to share our Tool Room with you. It’s a nice messy workshop space with a sturdy table. The Tool Room is a shared space so we are often coming and going on projects of our own too so we shall be mutually respectful! Please note; Artist materials and training is not included in your residency!
Shower Room
There is a toilet, sink, and shower in this room, oh and a cute cow on the toilet seat! The shower room is located just next to the gallery on the ground floor of the cottage. There is a sensor on the ceiling to turn on the lights so if they don’t turn on, just wave your hand in the air! Please use a shelf in the cupboard of the shower room for your personal items, remember this is a shared space. We can provide towels if you don’t have your own.
Pets
We love animals, but unfortunately, under no circumstances can you bring a pet. Our dogs, cats and horses are a fragile ecosystem! It would just cause too much disruption.
Gates
If you’re rambling around the fields, make sure to securely close the gates behind you. There are loads of nice walks we can suggest.
Drink and Drugs!
As a commitment towards a safe and healthy work environment we are a drug-free facility, and request that alcohol is used responsibly. We don’t mind if you have a few drinks occasionally but we want your focus to be on your residency. Please also be aware that there are strict drink and drug driving laws in Ireland. Also, no impromptu parties are allowed in the cottage!
Behavior
You are an ambassador for TALAMH NUA when out and about in the community so please help maintain our reputation. Your residency will be terminated if we have any issues around drug use or your behavior.
Smoking Policy
Smoking is not permitted anywhere indoors but you can smoke outdoors. Please dispose of cigarette butts responsibly.
TALAMH NUA 