The Abbey Manor Hotel in Dromahair, Leitrim was opened in 2004 by then Finance Minister Charlie McCreevy. It closed in 2009/10 and now belongs to NAMA. The hotel is a listed building with a beautiful front that faces on to the Main Street in the village. Since closing minimal attempts have been made to secure the premises. It is broken into repeatedly and this has left it open to vandalism, burglary and the elements.
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| Innishfree Suite |
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| The Abbey Manor Hotel |
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| Carpet Moss |
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| Plaque |
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| Innishfree Suite Window |
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Chairs
I have made two visits to the hotel, I was able to walk in through a broken door that led straight into the Innishfree Suite. This is a new extension to the building, done in 2003. Bad winters have led to a partial collapse in the ceiling and this has left the function room in a very poor state. Mushrooms and moss grow out the carpet and mould covers the walls. There is a pervading smell of damp. Chairs sit stacked and rotting away.
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| Laid for Dinner |
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| Pub with undulating floor |
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| Best Before 2009 |
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| Bar Window with Newspapers |
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View from the Ledge, Into the Foyer
There is a Marie Celeste like quality to this derelict boutique hotel. It is as if one day business ceased trading, the staff left and the place was locked up. In the dining room tables are set for dinner, waiting for customers that will never come. Behind the bar there are packets of Cheese Moments and Scampi Flavoured Fries that went out of date in 2009.
I was sure the bar must still be in use, it looked in such good condition. That was until I walked over the wooden floor and saw that dampness had caused it to lift up into ridges.
It can be hard in places to see that the hotel is derelict, though the dead plants are a giveaway. |
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| Reception |
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| Foyer with Dead Plants |
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| Hallway with Fire Extinguisher |
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| View from Derelict Hotel to Derelict Hostel |
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Painting
On my second visit, I brought a friend with me. We weren't in the building long before we stumbled upon a burglar robbing paintings! We could see him through a glass door standing on a chair and unscrewing something from the wall. I called out a greeting and he did not answer. I tried to talk to him a few more times but he froze to the spot and tried to sink into the wall. That was when we realised he was up to no good, so we quietly left.
Manorhamilton Gardi were not too interested in coming out to investigate when we reported the burglary.
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| Honeymoon Suite |
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Squatters Paradise
We returned to the hotel. The thief had gone in his blue Northern reg jeep. He left the paintings behind him - for now.
All around the hotel is evidence of burglary and vandalism. All the copper has been stolen; water tanks have been ripped out. The Honeymoon Suite has been vandalised and faeces smeared all over the bathroom.
Staff at the local Londis were shocked to hear what was happening. They thought the building had been secured after break-ins and drug dealing from the hotel were dealt with last year.
Considering that the hotel has been closed for 2 years and left largely unsecured; I'm surprised that it is still in such a good condition. It will be interesting to see what the future holds for it, especially if it is left the way it is. |
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| Vandalised ISPCC |
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Tea and Coffee
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The Abbey Manor Hotel, Dromahair.
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