Local artist grabs the chance to dress famous Limerick castle for a new Hollywood blockbuster

DRESSING a castle for a Hollywood blockbuster was not something Limerick artist Pat Conroy had on his ‘to- do’ list this time last year but, ultimately, an opportunity raised its head and gave him just that unexpected chance.

Situated in the Kildimo-Pallaskenry parish, Dromore Castle looms over the lake below it, referred to by locals and those beyond by the same name.

Often, swimmers frequent the shimmering lake in the hot depths of summertime, with the shadow of the ominous castle casting an eye on those below.

Although deemed quite unsafe, with unclear paths and rocky terrain, eager swimmers and sun worshippers are generally unphased while soaking in the view underneath the sticky sun.

Dromore Castle has been the subject of major interest recently, after scenes of the ruins were used in a new Hollywood blockbuster filmed on the site last year.

The new supernatural horror, entitled ‘The Pope’s Exorcist’, stars the Oscar award-winning actor Russell Crowe as the protagonist.

The film is being released on April 7, which, ironically, is Good Friday.

WATCH: Trailer for new Hollywood blockbuster, filmed in Limerick, released

Rathkeale-born artist Pat, who remodelled Dromore Castle for his own personal project, got the chance to work with the cast and crew on the set of the film at the time.

Pat said: “I was on site when Russell Crowe was filming scenes in Dromore Castle - they brought me in to do some high up work on a cherry picker and I dressed the castle for the new film with vines.

“It was very very cool! It was an amazing experience, so surreal.”

As a part-time artist, Pat, 52, has done numerous amounts of sketching and has drawn Dromore Castle a number of times. He decided to challenge himself and go the extra mile with the 3D model of his favourite site.

What took Pat over 160 hours to create, took a lifetime of inspiration and historic influence to perfect. He mentioned that he has always been “obsessed with castles” his whole life and, as a result, took it upon himself to build an extraordinary 3D model of Dromore.

“I found Dromore one day back in the 1990s, by accident, and have done loads of drawings of it - but the one thing I hadn’t done was a 3D version.

“God gifted me with patience - I can stay with something for months and months until I get it right!”

Pat is now closely acquainted with the owners of the Dromore Castle, which is legally a private property. He has created the three dimensional project out of a moisture resistant MDF board and carved pinewood beams.

The 3D model, which is now “100% complete”, sits on a 24sq inch base and is about 10 inches tall. The model is based on architectural drawings of the castle, while adding a few personalised touches.

“A couple of years ago I came across plans that were drawn up and looking at them I thought ‘I can use these to create a model’ - I was originally thinking of a cardboard model, but I said I’d go a bit further and use MDF timber.

“To exact scale, I built the whole thing over 160 hours, including the windows, towers, chimneys and I also added a roof to it because the site itself has been in ruins since the 1950s.

“At the end of the day, I would like it displayed in some place for people to see it. I’m not interested in selling it or anything like that - I didn’t build it for that reason.

“Artists would like their work to be seen and appreciated, especially when that much work goes into a project,” Pat added.

The historically-steeped castle had previously hosted a Neil Jordan film ‘High Spirits’, a horror/comedy movie made in the late 1980s with a budget of $17m. Dromore Castle was used in scenes and was given the fictional title of ‘Castle Plunkett’ for dramatic purposes.

Pat, who is also a fan of vintage cars and the remodelling of vintage vehicles, gave his permission to friend and local amateur historian Karen Ievers to post a photograph and time lapse video of him crafting the 3D model of Dromore on Twitter.

Karen praised Pat’s work, giving him credit for creating a “unique opportunity” for audiences to view his 3D structural model “in all its former glory” of how it would have been viewed historically when fully intact.

“Thanks to the efforts of Limerick man Pat Conroy, there is now a visual 3D scale model of Dromore Castle, with its roofs and battlements intact.

“This model, and Pat’s other detailed drawings of Dromore, afford us the unique opportunity to visualise the once magnificent seat of the Earls of Limerick in all its former glory,” Karen said.

As a history guru, Karen continued by giving insight into the backstory of Dromore Castle and its humble beginnings.

She said: “Although now a roofless shell, the castle was built in the late 19th century by British architect/designer Edward William Godwin.

“Dromore remains an important part of the Irish architectural landscape, with the castle being designed in 1867-70. Glenbeigh Towers in Kerry was designed by Godwin too, in 1870-71.”

Karen added that Godwin had returned to England after being commissioned to build three Catholic churches in Ulster, before working on the aforementioned Dromore and Glenbeigh designs.

He partnered with Henry Crisp for Dromore Castle and Glenbeigh Towers, which were originally tasked as “country houses”.