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History
The History of Beech Hill Country House Hotel in Derry
The first house to stand on the richly wooded Ardmore site was built in 1622 and was known as Ballyshaskey. It was commissioned by an Englishman, Alexander Skipton, who sadly did not live to enjoy it. The day before his family was due to move into the mansion Mr. Skipton was shot dead in a land ownership dispute with a local family.
His son, Captain Thomas Skipton, took up residence there in 1638. But in a period of rebellion 3 years later Thomas and his wife Charity were forced to flee under cover of darkness, narrowly escaping with their lives. Their home was burned to the ground.
Seemingly undeterred by these disasters, in 1661 Captain Skipton put up a new house. This he called Skipton Hall. It stood on the opposite side of the brook to the original building. The family remained there until the siege of 1688 when a retreating army, and a history repeat, reduced Skipton Hall to ashes. Thomas’s son and heir, Captain Alex Skipton, continued to live on the estate, in an out-house, until his death in 1704.
Years of Peace and Creativity
His son, Captain Thomas Skipton, was the man we have to thank for the present house. It was he who built it in 1739 and, because of the large number of surrounding trees, gave it the name of Beech Hill.
Two generations later Thomas Skipton added a wing stretching out towards the brook and made some significant changes to the gardens. When he died the estate passed on to his cousin George Crookshanks Kennedy who immediately changed his name to Skipton. George continued a programme of improvements. He planted a substantial number of new trees and much improved the layout and appearance of the grounds which he believed would give people much pleasure. An impressive porch was added to the front of the house and also the big room that is situated over it and which is known as The Library.
A change in ownership came in 1872 when Beech Hill was bought by the wealthy Nicholsons of Newbuildings. They made a number of internal changes to the house during their tenancy but in general it remained their simple family home.
The Marines Arrive
In February 1942 the United States Navy established its first base on this side of the Atlantic, on the banks of the River Foyle in Londonderry. Ships there were to play a crucial role in North Atlantic operations. The sailors were soon joined by the United States Marines who were ordered in to provide security for America’s new military in the North of Ireland. One fear was that the naval base could be attached by German commandoes landed by submarine or by subversives from neutral Ireland, south of the nearby border.
Around 750 Marines found themselves guarding the Navy base and various other vitally important installations in the area. They became known as ‘The Irish Marines’ and were billeted in the grounds of the Beech Hill estate.
While they were here - and two of the Quonset huts they lived in are still in place in the hotel grounds – the Marines formed warm and lasting friendships with local people. Many married girls from Londonderry and the Beech Hill-United States Marines Association that was formed then is still active today. Every year groups of Marines from America and Europe visit Beech Hill to learn about the men who came before them in World War 2.
The Latest Chapter
In 1989 Beech Hill was bought by its present owners, Patsy O’Kane and her brother Seamus Donnelly. Two years of conversion and major refurbishment were necessary before Beech Hill Country House Hotel was able to open its doors to the first guests.
Now Beech Hill is rated among the very greatest hotels and it plays a hugely important role in the North of Ireland’s valuable tourism industry. Visitors come here from all over the world. President Bill Clinton has stayed here twice and he is just one of the ‘celebrities’ who have enjoyed the finest and freshest, and imaginatively cooked local food that is served daily in our award winning Ardmore Restaurant.
An extensive redecoration and furnishing programme was completed in 2007. Under the direction of historians and specialist artists many of the hotel’s public areas were given back their original Georgian appearance.
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Beech Hill Country House Hotel - 
