Castle Coole is a late 18th century mansion situated in a 1200 acre estate on the outskirks of Enniskillen Co. Fermanagh and one of three properties owned and managed by the National Trust in Co. Fermanagh. The estate includes numerous out-buildings and a service tunnel, the entrance which is accessed from the 'Grand Yard'. Surrounded by stunning landscape, the estate is ideal for picnics, cycling and country walking.
A walk round Castle Coole Co Fermanagh
We are down in Co Fermanagh for a few days and we called into the extensive scenic grounds of Castle Coole. This is the 'big house'. What a wonderful spot for all sorts of relaxing activities. We spotted Jays Redwing, Wagtail Swans Thrushes galore, and a Raven. I am told that there are good numbers of Red Squirrel and also Pine Martin. Please check out Aislinn Hagan's most excellent Youtube video on Castle Coole recalling personal recollections from live in maid Nelly Scott and her work times there. Link youtube.com/watch?v=_r1zAOqrQHI Castle Coole (pronounced cool, from Irish: Cúl[ ) is a townland (of 529 acres) and a late-18th-century neo-classical mansion situated in Enniskillen, County Fermanagh, Northern Ireland. Set in a 1200-acre (5 km²) wooded estate, it is one of three properties owned and managed by the National Trust in County Fermanagh, the others being Florence Court and the Crom Estate. Notable aspects of the mansion include the restrained but impressive Portland stone façades and sober portico with striking Ionic capitals. (Ooops sorry, I thought it was sandstone! ) The Belmore earldom is named after the nearby Belmore Mountain, 7 miles west of Enniskillen. Corry had hoped to be named Earl of Enniskillen, until this title was given to the Cole family at Florence Court. Though the origins of the Corry side of the family can be found in Belfast, there is more uncertainty with the Lowry side. The Lowrys may originally have been from Dumfries in Scotland. As a member of the peerage of Ireland, the earl of Belmore had a seat in the Irish House of Lords until it was abolished in 1801 when the kingdom of Ireland was merged into the United Kingdom. The second and fourth earls subsequently sat in the House of Lords at Westminster as representative peers. At its peak, Castle Coole employed around 90 staff, both indoor and outdoor. The basement of the mansion was entirely the domain of the indoor staff, and accommodation for the outdoor staff was mainly found in the buildings surrounding the Grand Yard
Castle Coole Curtain Project - Fermanagh TV
Fermanagh TV has been following the process of the restoration of Castle Coole's Library Curtains.
See the progress so far;
Aislinn Hagan reports
Castle Coole Spring Exhibition
Kate Mc Aloon speaks to Fermanagh TV about the Basement Galleries second exhibition and there joy at having Katleen Bridle's artwork on display.
Prince Charles and the Duchess of Cornwall attend garden party in Fermanagh
The Prince of Wales and the Duchess of Cornwall have attended a garden party in the grounds of Castle Coole in Co Fermanagh.
Charles and Camilla met guests including Secretary of State Karen Bradley and DUP leader Arlene Foster at the National Trust property.
Report by Matt Blair.
#PrinceCharles #DuchessofCornwall
Queen Mother visits Northern Ireland (1988)
Broadcast (New Zealand): 8th June, 1988.
The Queen Mother visits Castle Coole, County Fermanagh.
Fermanagh Trail - Lakelands Walking Trails
Irish TV - Out and About in Ireland: Lakelands Walking Trails programme which features Marble Arch Caves Global Geopark & the stunning Fermanagh Lakelands. See lakelandswalking.com or fermanaghlakelands.com