Imperial Hotel: Mayo history and enchanting landscape

by Auld Stock

Castlebar people were delighted when news came through that the Imperial Hotel, opposite The Green, had been purchased and is to be developed to the highest standards by its new owners.

Many historic events have been held in the ‘Imperial’ over the past 150 years, including the founding of the Land League by Michael Davitt and James Daly, editor of The Connaught Telegraph.

Before the hotel closed there was a splendid painting of Michael Davitt in the dining-room of the building.

I hope the painting has been secured and will be hung in the revamped Imperial Hotel.

When I was a young lad the hotel had a specially built horse-drawn cart which carried suitcases from the railway station for guests staying in the Imperial Hotel.

The cart was driven by a man named Peter Foy who wore a special piece of headgear with the name Imperial Hotel emblazoned on the front of it.

The hotel has changed hands several times over the years.

A man named Edward Reid owned the Imperial Hotel in the early 1900s. Mr. Reid opened a billiards room and other facilities. An enterprising businessman, he had petrol pumps installed close to the imperial Hotel.

Many years later, Martin Lydon, McHale Road, carried out a lot of maintenance work in the hotel, a man with an all-round knowledge of many trades.

A psychiatric nurse by profession, Martin was a leading member of the drama group attached to St. Mary Hospital.

He was father of Martin Lydon, Westport Road, an outstanding motor mechanic who ran a successful garage business in Thomas Street, Castlebar, for many years.

Castlebar people and visitors to the town look forward to the reopening of the Imperial Hotel and wish the new owners every success.

*There is a splendid view of The Green, with its tree-lined surroundings, from the second storey windows of the Imperial Hotel, a piece of enchanting landscape in the centre of Castlebar.