Reversal Of Fortune-star Jeremy Irons has caused an uproar by painting his seven-storey Irish castle a distinctive shade of peach. Six-hundred-and-fifty-year-old Kilcoe Castle, which was in ruins when Irons bought it four years ago and has undergone major renovations, overlooks Roaringwater Bay, West Cork in Ireland.
Local residents and historical experts have been less than enthusiastic about the newly pastel castle. “It is quite alarming,” says Mary Mackey, editor of the Mizen Historical Journal. “When I first saw it I was horrified.”
One of Irons’ neighbours added that the new colour scheme “would be more appropriate in the Mexican desert.” Another says the once-romantic grey stone structure now “sticks out like a sore orange thumb”.
While the castle’s new colour scheme might seem at odds with its historical context, the actor followed the correct channels for the makeover, obtaining planning permission from West Cork county council. And although he was away filming in the US when the colour was chosen, he is reportedly happy with the results.
Duchas, the Irish government’s heritage department has said it is not opposed to the colour which is expected to fade with time.
And as for the neighbours’ complaints…? “As far as I know he has no intention of changing the colour,” says Irons’s agent Anne Hutton.
