Our Story—Built by the Community
Introduction
Sliabh Beagh Hotel & Tourism Centre is Ireland’s only community-owned and community-managed hotel. Behind it is a remarkable story of local people coming together to create opportunity and build a better future for their area.
Where It Began
In the early 1990s, Knockatallon was experiencing many of the challenges facing isolated rural communities. Young people were leaving, houses were becoming vacant and local employment, services and places to meet were limited. The closure of several nearby border roads had added to the area’s isolation.
At the centre of the community was a parish hall built in the 1950s, but it had fallen into disrepair and was no longer being fully used. Local people recognised that something needed to be done—and that the community itself would have to lead the way.
At the centre of the community was a parish hall built in the 1950s, but it had fallen into disrepair and was no longer being fully used. Local people recognised that something needed to be done—and that the community itself would have to lead the way.
An Idea Takes Shape
Knockatallon Development Company was established in 1994 with the aim of supporting the social and economic regeneration of Knockatallon and the surrounding area.
The original idea was to bring the parish hall back into use, perhaps as a restaurant with self-catering accommodation. With advice and encouragement from Fáilte Ireland and other organisations, that idea gradually grew into something much more ambitious: a community-owned hotel and tourism centre.
It was a brave undertaking for a small rural community, requiring years of voluntary effort, fundraising and determination. Sliabh Beagh Hotel & Tourism Centre finally opened its doors in 2000.
The original idea was to bring the parish hall back into use, perhaps as a restaurant with self-catering accommodation. With advice and encouragement from Fáilte Ireland and other organisations, that idea gradually grew into something much more ambitious: a community-owned hotel and tourism centre.
It was a brave undertaking for a small rural community, requiring years of voluntary effort, fundraising and determination. Sliabh Beagh Hotel & Tourism Centre finally opened its doors in 2000.
More Than a Hotel
From the beginning, Sliabh Beagh was created to do much more than provide accommodation. It was designed to bring people into the area, create employment and provide a welcoming place where the community could meet, celebrate and stay connected.
Over the years, the social enterprise has helped to develop important local services and amenities, including a childcare facility, the Knockatallon waymarked walking loops, three AstroTurf pitches and a children’s playground.
The Centre also provides meeting facilities to local voluntary organisations, supports community activities and operates a subsidised meals service for older and more vulnerable people. These services are part of what makes Sliabh Beagh so much more than a traditional hotel.
Over the years, the social enterprise has helped to develop important local services and amenities, including a childcare facility, the Knockatallon waymarked walking loops, three AstroTurf pitches and a children’s playground.
The Centre also provides meeting facilities to local voluntary organisations, supports community activities and operates a subsidised meals service for older and more vulnerable people. These services are part of what makes Sliabh Beagh so much more than a traditional hotel.
A Community Transformed
Since the Centre opened, Knockatallon has changed greatly. New homes have been built, families have settled in the area, local businesses have developed and visitors now come to discover the natural beauty of Sliabh Beagh.
The Hotel and Tourism Centre has grown into one of the area’s largest employers, supporting more than 30 full-time and part-time jobs, as well as local suppliers and other businesses.
Perhaps its greatest achievement has been helping to change how people see Knockatallon. It is now a place where people want to live, work, visit and belong.
The Hotel and Tourism Centre has grown into one of the area’s largest employers, supporting more than 30 full-time and part-time jobs, as well as local suppliers and other businesses.
Perhaps its greatest achievement has been helping to change how people see Knockatallon. It is now a place where people want to live, work, visit and belong.
Community Ownership Today
Sliabh Beagh remains owned and managed by the local community through Knockatallon Development Company CLG. It is guided by a voluntary board of directors and run by a dedicated local team.
As a social enterprise, any surplus generated is reinvested in the Centre, its services and community facilities. This means that every overnight stay, meal, event and celebration helps support the continued development of the local area.
As a social enterprise, any surplus generated is reinvested in the Centre, its services and community facilities. This means that every overnight stay, meal, event and celebration helps support the continued development of the local area.
Looking to the Future
Our story is still being written.
We want to continue modernising the hotel, developing our facilities and expanding valuable community services. As investment in the wider Sliabh Beagh area progresses, we also hope to grow as a greener, more sustainable hotel and a welcoming base for this emerging eco-tourism destination.
The aim remains the same as it was at the beginning: to create opportunity, bring people together and build a sustainable future for Knockatallon.
We want to continue modernising the hotel, developing our facilities and expanding valuable community services. As investment in the wider Sliabh Beagh area progresses, we also hope to grow as a greener, more sustainable hotel and a welcoming base for this emerging eco-tourism destination.
The aim remains the same as it was at the beginning: to create opportunity, bring people together and build a sustainable future for Knockatallon.