The Amethyst Hotel in Achill
was built before the 1890's. It sits opposite The Beehive cafe and craft
shop in Keel.
I photographed the Amethyst
in September 2010. At this time it housed a window art gallery at its
front.
It is a large building which had 21 bedrooms
which over time were changed into bedsits. There is also a
large bar and restaurant and front lobby.
The Amethyst Hotel was
probably once quite grand; it houses a wealth of memories. Irish artist
Paul Henry stayed there in 1910. John Lennon had dinner there in
1967.
There are also memories
that are quietly compelling; an old map of Achil leans against a wall, a pile
of ironing waits, a ledger lists charges in 1972, a newspaper sits open on an
unmade bed and in a bedsit a box of Choco Pops spills onto the floor.
In March 2011 Mayo County Council granted a local developer permission to demolish the historic Amethyst Hotel and construct a two-storey building comprising of a public house, shop, apartment and house. Local residents have objected to this development. An Bord Pleanala is due to make its decision on the case in August 2011.
