Moore Hall in Mayo - Mysterious and enchanting
The ruin of Moore Hall in County Mayo is completely surrounded by trees
George Moore made a fortune in the Spanish wine trade and decided in the 1790s to build himself an impressive house on the edge of Lough Carra in County Mayo in Ireland. The locals were superstitious about his choice of location because Muckloon Hill was alleged to have been cursed by a druid in the year 400.
Lough Carra lies below Moore Hall and the house once had a sweeping view down lawn to the water
Nowadays, Moore Hall is a picturesque ruin completely surrounded by trees. The last owner was another George Moore who, an author, writer and artist, was friends with many leading figures in the Irish Literary Revival, including W B Yeats, Oscar Wilde and Lady Gregory.
His brother, Maurice, spent time in the house and was in favour of the Treaty between Ireland and Britain in 1922. The following year the house was burnt by anti-Treaty supporters during the Irish Civil War. Everything was destroyed in a short few hours, including George Moore’s beautiful library.
Moore Hall is completely surrounded by trees planted by the State Forestry Department, Coillte
More recently, the house and land has been in the hands of Coillte, the State forestry department, and this is why it is completely surrounded by trees. Visitors still go to visit it and some describe the atmosphere as eerily silent.
Others who have climbed into the building at night report hearing the sound of doors slamming and children laughing and singing nursery rhymes. The locals might tell you it’s haunted. This is not unusual for Ireland because many of our ruined houses left to stand untouched for decades acquire those sort of reputations!
Moore Hall and approximately fifteen acres around the house were bought by Mayo County Council in 2019 and there are plans to develop the property as a tourist attraction
The good news is that it now looks like Moore Hall will not be left to fall further into ruin among the trees on the edge of Lough Carra. Mayo County Council bought the house and approximately fifteen acres of land around it from Coillte in 2019 and intends to develop the property as a tourist attraction. Already a popular place for visitors, I’m looking forward to seeing what happens next to this mysterious and beautiful ruin.
Suzanne Winterly is the author of mystery and dual timeline historical mystery novels set in the late 19th century and in the present. More details below:
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