Overview
Perched on the edge of the Atlantic in the tiny village of Dugort on Achill Island, the Slievemore Hotel was established in 1839 and is recognised as the oldest hotel on Achill. Its stone‑faced façade still echoes the modest charm of a bygone era, and many rooms once offered sweeping views of Dugort Strand, Pollawaddy Beach and the distant silhouettes of Slieve Car and the Nephin Beg mountains.
Heritage and the Achill Mission Colony
The hotel was originally built as part of the Achill Mission Colony founded by the Protestant Reverend Edward Nangle in 1831. The mission aimed to provide education, medical care and spiritual outreach to the island’s residents. Within the colony’s planned village stood a school, an orphanage, a dispensary, a corn mill, a printing press (which produced the Achill Missionary Herald from 1837) and the two‑storey hotel with its distinctive central pediment.
In 1895 the trustees commissioned architect George Palmer Beater to enlarge the hotel – adding a 160 ft frontage, 20 extra bedrooms and larger dining and sitting rooms to cater for the growing tourist trade brought by the new railway. The building continued to operate under various families (the Sherridan and later the McNulty families) until it closed in the early 2000s. Today the former hotel has been divided into private apartments; the original grand staircase remains visible inside.
During the annual Heinrich Böll Memorial Weekend (usually held in early May) the site is opened for a guided walking tour of the Mission village, allowing visitors to see the ruins of the former school, the old corn mill and the historic layout of the colony.
Mission Colony in Detail
Reverend Edward Nangle (1799‑1883) arrived on Achill in 1831 with a 31‑year lease from Sir Richard O’Donnell. Besides the hotel, the colony featured a printing office, a dispensary, a post office and a small hospital. In 1837 the Achill Missionary Herald began publication, reaching a circulation of over 3,000 by the early 1850s. Nangle also established a short‑lived “university” at Mweelin to train Irish‑speaking Scripture readers. The colony’s layout, with a central square, clock‑tower and cultivated gardens, was intended as a civilising showcase on the island’s rugged slopes.
What to See & Do
Beaches and Seascapes
The hotel sits just steps from Dugort Strand, a broad, sandy beach ideal for long walks, picnics and watching the Atlantic’s ever‑changing moods. Adjacent is Pollawaddy Beach, a quieter stretch where tide pools often reveal colourful marine life. A short stroll north leads to Barnyagappul Strand, another scenic spot offering a more secluded feel while still providing spectacular sea views.
Mountain Vistas
From the higher rooms the Slieve Car and Nephin Beg ranges dominate the skyline. These peaks form part of the larger Nephin Beg Range, a popular area for hill‑walking and bird‑watching. While the building itself does not organise guided hikes, the proximity to trailheads means guests can easily set out on self‑guided walks ranging from gentle coastal paths to more challenging mountain ascents. The long‑distance Achill Way trail passes close to the hotel, offering a 40‑km coastal walk that links Dugort with Keel and the dramatic cliffs of Achill Head.
Village Life and Culture
Dugort is a small, tightly‑knit community where traditional Irish music often drifts from the local pub and the scent of fresh seafood wafts from the harbour. Within walking distance are modest shops, a post office and a few cosy eateries serving locally caught fish, lamb and the famous Irish soda bread.
Bird‑watching and Wildlife
The surrounding dunes and salt‑marshes attract a variety of seabirds, especially during migration periods. Early‑morning walks along the beach can reward patient observers with gulls, terns and, on rare occasions, the elusive corncrake. The site lies on the Wild Atlantic Way, making it a good spot for spotting offshore skuas and razorbills. The modest garden area behind the former hotel often hosts butterflies and wildflowers.
Heritage Walks
The Achill Archaeological Field School runs occasional field trips that explore the Mission Colony’s layout, the ruined Deserted Village at Slievemore, and the historic St Thomas’s Church in Dugort. These walks are an excellent way to contextualise the hotel within the broader social history of Achill.
Events
Heinrich Böll Memorial Weekend (early May)
Each year the Heinrich Böll Memorial Weekend opens the former hotel and surrounding Mission buildings for a guided tour. The programme includes talks on Edward Nangle, visits to the ruined school, corn mill, printing press and the clock‑tower that once marked the colony’s square. The event is organised by the Achill Mission Heritage Group and is free to the public, though pre‑registration is recommended.
Visiting Today
The former Slievemore Hotel no longer operates as a public accommodation; the building has been converted into private apartments. The site can still be admired from the outside, and the historic façade remains a landmark on the coastal road. Public access is limited to the surrounding beach, garden paths and the occasional heritage open‑day.
Practical information
- Phone: +353 98 43224 (local tourist office can arrange enquiries about the building and nearby accommodation).
- Parking: On‑site parking is available for visitors to the village and for those using the walking routes. There is also free roadside parking near Dugort Strand.
- Access: The main road that loops around Achill Island provides easy car access. Public transport on Achill is limited, so a rental car is the most convenient way to reach Dugort.
- Accommodation: As the hotel is closed, guests should look for alternative lodging in nearby villages such as Keel, Achill Sound or the newly built holiday apartments in the Slievemore Holiday Village. The holiday village offers self‑catering cottages (e.g., “Slievemore” cottages listed on Achill Tourism) that are a short walk from the beach and the mountain foothills.
- Opening hours: Not applicable – the building is private residence. The surrounding beach and walking trails are open year‑round.
For those interested in the Mission’s history, the Heinrich Böll Memorial Weekend (usually held in early May) offers a guided tour of the former colony village, including the hotel’s original rooms and the surrounding historic structures.
Nearby Attractions
- Ballycroy National Park – Wild Nephin range and extensive walking routes a short drive away.
- Achill Sound – The ferry crossing point and a hub for water sports, cafés and the Achill Seaweed Centre.
- Bartra Island – Accessible by boat from nearby ports for a day‑trip.
Practical Information (original)
This section has been merged into the “Visiting Today” heading above to reflect the building’s current status.