On February 1st next it will be 95 years since Moore Hall, County Mayo was needlessly burnt by a group of anti-treaty forces during the Civil War. Since then the building has stood empty and falling ever further into ruin. Moore Hall’s history was discussed here some time ago, (see When Moore is Less, June 30th 2014), and at the time it looked as though the house, dating from the 1790s, had little viable future. For many years the surrounding land has been under the control of Coillte, the state-sponsored forestry company, which displayed no interest in the historic property for which it was responsible. However, yesterday Mayo County Council announced it had purchased Moore Hall and 80 acres. The council proposes ‘to develop the estate as a nationally important nature reserve and tourism attraction’, its chief executive declaring this will ‘ensure that the natural, built and cultural heritage of Moorehall is protected yet developed and managed in a sustainable manner for current and future generations.’ Further details have yet to be provided, but one initiative Moore Hall’s new owners could immediately undertake is to clear away the trees that now grow almost up to the front door, thereby reopening the view to Lough Carra and explaining why the house was built on this site.
I live not far from Moore Hall so this is great news and I look forward to seeing the house and grounds being revitalised for the benefit of all.
This is good news Robert.
Such a fine house and still looks robust!
I very much enjoy the word play on each title. It piques my interest no end. I am now glad to learn that the prospect of Moore Hall being no more is no more to be mourned!
Thanks for sharing the good news. Over Christmas I read Thomas Flanagan’s The Year of the French (reissued in the US by NYRB Classics). Moore Hall features prominently in the book, as does the view of Lough Carra.
Happy New Year to you. I look forward to reading your blog throughout 2018.
Really good news.
I also live not too far from here and I must say that over the last number of years, I have gained a real love for this place and Lough Carra is absolutely beautiful.The history of the house and family is fascinating.I was lucky enough to get a copy of The Moores of Moore Hall by JONATHON Hone (1932) which I believe is the definitive history of the Moores. In a book by Colonel MAURICE Moore there is an illustration contained in it showing how the house looked from the lake, sitting proudly on Muckloon Hill fully in view as at the time the Sitka spruce were not there. There is something amazing about walking alongside the path and seeing the house open up through the trees. However I am sure the Council will plan it well if they decide to clear them.Congratulations to all involved
The more I read your excellent blog the more I despise the I.R.A. and Sinn Fein.
I am glad the Irish Aesthete referred to the burning of Moore Hall as ‘needless’. All too often Irish historians and commentators are reticent about the violence and vandalism that occurred during the last century, often proffering justification on some level for these events.