Annaghmakerrig House a major part of the estate of the late Sir William Tyrone Guthrie is left to the Irish state.
Theatre director Sir William Tyrone Guthrie died on 15 May 1971 at home in Annaghmakerrig near Newbliss in County Monaghan. Annaghmakerrig has been the Irish residence of the Guthrie family since the 18th century.
A statement issued on behalf of the Minister for Finance George Colley, announced that Tyrone Guthrie has bequeathed his dwelling house and the income from the residue of the estate to the nation for the purpose of providing a place of retreat to facilitate artists doing creative work.
Lady Guthrie is still living in the house and it will continue to be her home for the rest of her life. Afterwards, it will become the property of the Minister for Finance.
When Annaghmakerrig eventually becomes a retreat for working artists it will be administered by the government with the help of the income from the residue of the estate. The value of the residue of the estate has not been established, but it is expected to be significant.
Lady Guthrie died in 1972. The Tyrone Guthrie Centre at Annaghmakerrig opened its doors to its first residents on 10 October 1981.
An RTÉ News report broadcast on 1 July 1971. The footage shown here is mute.
Theatre director Tyrone Guthrie photographed in 1962.
