Top 4 Castles around Coolaness

Around Coolaness, you can explore a range of historical structures, from 17th-century fortified houses to Victorian-era castles. These include sites like Old Castle Archdale, which dates back to the 1600s, and Tully Castle Ruins, a fortified house built for Sir John Hume. You'll find a mix of ruins and more substantial historical buildings.

While the castles directly around Coolaness are primarily ruins, the broader County Fermanagh region offers options. Necarne Castle, for example, has an accessible park, and nearby Enniskillen Castle houses the Fermanagh County Museum and The Inniskillings Museum, offering insights into local history and military heritage. Castle Coole, an 18th-century Neo-classical mansion, also provides guided tours of its opulent interiors.

Many of the castle sites around Coolaness are suitable for families, offering open spaces for exploration. Tully Castle Ruins has a visitor's centre in a restored farmhouse with an exhibition telling local stories. The parklands around Necarne Castle and Castle Coole are also great for walks and enjoying nature with children.

Yes, the area around Coolaness and its castles offers various outdoor activities. For hiking, you can explore routes like "Old Archdale Castle via Tom's Island" or "Necarne Woods via Necarne Castle." Cycling options include the "Kingfisher Cycle Trail - Northern Loop" or routes around Old Castle Archdale. You can find more details on these and other routes in the Hiking around Coolaness and Cycling around Coolaness guides.

Old Castle Archdale, built in 1615, was a significant site during the Irish Rebellion of 1641 when it was captured. It was inhabited until 1689, when it was destroyed by fire during the Williamite Wars and subsequently abandoned. Today, its crumbling walls on a forest clifftop offer a glimpse into its turbulent past.

Yes, Necarne Castle (also known as Castle Irvine) served as a military hospital during WWII. Additionally, the Castle Archdale Courtyard Buildings were part of a major base for flying boats during WWII, housing up to 2,500 RAF personnel. Exhibitions are sometimes held there to display historical notes from that period.

The castles in County Fermanagh are often set amidst beautiful natural landscapes. For instance, Old Castle Archdale is located within a 520-hectare forest, and Tully Castle Ruins are set on Tully Point, offering views of the surrounding waterways. Castle Coole is within a sprawling wooded estate with tranquil walking trails around Lough Coole, providing opportunities for wildlife spotting.

While the interior of Necarne Castle itself is currently in ruins and not accessible, the surrounding park and woodlands are open for exploration. It offers pleasant walking routes and is a popular venue for equestrian events, providing a beautiful setting for a day out.

Visitors appreciate the historical depth and natural beauty surrounding these sites. They enjoy wandering the crumbling walls of places like Old Castle Archdale, imagining life centuries ago, and exploring the serene parklands. The blend of history with opportunities for outdoor activities like walking and cycling is a major draw.

While many local sites are ruins, for a grand architectural experience, Castle Coole in County Fermanagh is highly recommended. It's a magnificent 18th-century Neo-classical mansion, managed by the National Trust, and considered one of Ireland's finest examples of its kind, showcasing opulent Regency furnishings and intricate plasterwork.

The best time to visit the castles and the broader County Fermanagh region is generally during the spring and summer months (April to September). The weather is milder, making outdoor exploration of castle grounds and nearby trails more enjoyable. Autumn also offers beautiful scenery with changing foliage.

Many of the outdoor areas around castles in Fermanagh, such as the woodlands surrounding Necarne Castle and the parklands of Castle Coole, are suitable for dog walking. It's always advisable to keep dogs on a lead and check specific site regulations before visiting.