Ambitious masterplan to transform Mayo’s Moorehall into a flagship heritage site is unveiled
An exciting new vision for one of Mayo’s most historic estates has been unveiled with the official launch of the Masterplan for Moorehall and its environs.
The plan, developed by Mayo County Council in partnership with the National Parks and Wildlife Service and Coillte, outlines a visionary transformation of the historic 18th-century estate into a nationally designated nature reserve and cultural heritage destination.
The Masterplan was officially launched at Moorehall on Friday, October 31, by Minister for Rural and Community Development and the Gaeltacht, Dara Calleary TD.
It outlines plans for the restoration of the ruins of Moorehall House, the revival of the historic walled garden, and the creation of a world-class visitor centre - a vision designed to preserve the estates natural and historical character while also creating opportunities for local enterprise and tourism.
Beyond the house itself, the Masterplan focuses on enhancing biodiversity, improving woodland management, and developing themed walking trails that link Moorehall estate to nearby heritage sites and villages.
It aims to establish Moorehall as a leading attraction within the proposed Joyce Country and Western Lakes Geopark, and it will also see Lough Carra turn into a nationally designated nature reserve and cultural heritage destination.
Each stage of development will be guided by environmental assessments to ensure that sensitive habitats remain fully protected. Specifically, the habitat of the Lesser Horseshoe Bat, an EU-protected species, which can be found in the house and the granary.
Speaking at the launch, Minister Calleary said that the Masterplan will see Moorehall become a “flagship destination in the West of Ireland.”
“The imagination and the vision to restore Moorehall, and reimagining of its walled garden along with the creation of a world-class visitor centre, will provide new opportunities for enterprise and will position Moorehall as a flagship destination in the West of Ireland,” he said.
The draft version of the Masterplan states that the development could draw around 90,000 visitors to the estate each year.
Found along the shores of Lough Carra on the estate, Moorehall House is among Mayo’s most historic landmarks.
The house was built between 1792 and 1796 for George Moore, a Mayo-born Catholic entrepreneur who had recently moved back to Ireland from Spain following the repeal of the majority of the Penal Laws.
Having made a considerable fortune in Spain, Mr Moore used his wealth to build one of Mayo’s grandest Georgian buildings.
After Mr Moore’s death in 1799, the family continued to live on the estate for generations. His great-grandson, George Augustus Moore - a well-known novelist and one of the founders of the Abbey Theatre in Dublin, became the last member of the family to live at Moorehall.
The house was burned down in 1922 during the Irish Civil War by anti-Treaty forces who were opposed to the Moore family’s pro-Treaty stance following partition.
The building was reduced to ruins, leaving behind only the shell of a house that can be seen today, a somewhat eerie reminder of Ireland’s history.
The Moorehall Loop Walk, which runs through the estate’s forest roads and leads to the ruins of the house, remains a popular destination for both locals and visitors.
In 2018, Mayo County Council purchased the 78-acre estate from Coillte for €400,000, the Masterplan now marks the beginning of a new era for the historic site.
Speaking at the launch, Cllr Sean Carey, Cathaoirleach of Mayo County Council, described the Masterplan as a “visionary strategy”.
“Collaborations like the one seen in this Masterplan can take time to come to fruition, but when they do – you end up with outstanding results like we have here,” he said.
Chief Executive of Mayo County Council, Kevin Kelly, added: “This plan is not just a document; it is a roadmap for the future of one of Mayo’s most treasured landscapes. This Masterplan sets out a visionary strategy to restore and reimagine Moorehall and its environs.”
This article has been funded by the Local Democracy Reporting Scheme.