SLIEVE DONARD'S HISTORY GOES ON DISPLAY

From postcards to chamber pots...

The Slieve Donard Resort and Spa in Newcastle has recently opened its very own bespoke ‘museum’ to house the wealth of historical items and curio accumulated over the course of the hotel's long and varied history.

Located in the hotel’s original Library on the ground floor, with magnificent views of the Mournes and the Irish Sea, the Museum has been created as a testament to the 112 years that the Slieve Donard has been in existence.

Julie Maguire, Marketing Director with Hastings Hotels commented, “The Slieve Donard has recently undergone extensive renovations and redevelopment, and while we look positively to the future, it is important, as a family run business, that we hold onto the memories of years gone by.

“The people of Newcastle have their own memories and connections to the ‘Slieve’, and that’s why we asked them, via the local press, to send us any historical and interesting items linked to the hotel.

“The response was staggering and the fabulous variety of artefacts that we received warranted creating this ‘mini museum’, which can be enjoyed by visitors to the hotel, old and new.”

Items displayed include the original registration card signed by iconic film actor, Charlie Chaplin, who stayed in the hotel in 1921. Legend has it that Mr Chaplin travelled to the Slieve Donard to escape marital problems! The original ‘Bill of Quantities’ is also on display - the handwritten document details the costs involved in the construction of the hotel back in 1896, when it was built as an ‘end of the line’ railway hotel. Unbelievably, the final cost was £111,000 - a mere drop in the ocean by today’s standards!

The Slieve Donard was the setting for the Channel 4 film “Hotel Splendide” several years ago, and there is a range of memorabilia from this production. There is also an excellent collection of wartime Christmas Programmes, Postcards, original brochures from the 1930’s and even a Slieve Donard chamber pot!

For further information please contact Michael McCrory, IAS SMARTS, 028 90395512.