Enniskillen Castles Northern Ireland

Day 71/Northern Ireland 7

Travelled:138km

Visited:near Enniskillen Northern Ireland- Castle Coole (National Trust nonmembers £9pp), Florence Court (National Trust nonmembers £10pp)

Stay: Glencar Lough Ireland- one of the carparks along the lake N54.3402 W8.3734

We’d planned a change of scenery today, to visit a couple of National Trust properties that had peaked our interest, which involved us driving to Enniskillen in Northern Ireland. Along the way we drove through Donegal (a pretty town but too early in the day to visit anything). We crossed the border into Northern Ireland and instantly noticed the Union Jack colours and bunting in the towns.

Donegal region Ireland..green and yellow

Crossing the border..Ireland to Northern Ireland 

Uk...Red, white and blue.

 It was very busy as we drove through Enniskillen maybe because it was a bank holiday so we kept going to our destination, Castle Coole. 

Google

The 1st Earl of Belmore built this fine example of neoclassical home during the 1790’s, using Portland stone inside and out. He used architect James Wyatt who loved symmetry ( needing to create fake doorways and fire places) and spared no expense. He died not long after it was completed and so his son ended up having to furnishing the property. In debt, he went in a 7 year grand tour and sold artefacts he found for a profit, eventually paying off the debt. The 4th Earl spent some time in Australia, New South Wales, but came back with his 13 children. Unfortunately his 3 sons died with no issue and so the title passed to a nephew. The death tax crippled the estate, forcing him to sell to the National Trust in 1953. When he inherited, his 8 aunts where still living here! Thanks to google for the interior photos. 

Chairs were individually designed to fit the oval room.



This bedroom was specifically furnished for King George who never ended up visiting...

We then went to visit Florence Court, built in the mid 1700’s by the Earl of Enniskillen. 

The main interior features were the amazing plaster ceilings in the main rooms especially the dinning room. Unfortunately no photos means we can’t share our experience.

After visiting the servants quarters we had a look at the laundry. 

An iron warmer..haven’t seen one of these before.

We then ventured to the water powered sawmill.

 On our way back to Bluey we strolled through the beautiful walled garden. 

Feeling that we can’t dally we made our way back across the non existent border (pre Brexit) and stopped on the shore of Glencar Lough. Hopefully the rain will ease in the morning for a visit to the falls.

Derry-Londonderry Northern Ireland

Day 65/Northern Ireland 6

Travelled:38km

Stay:Londonderry - mixed carpark N55.0000 W7.3122

Visited: Derry-Londonderry 

We decided this morning that we may as well head straight to Londonderry and we were lucky to get a spot in the carpark we had chosen from P4N.

 It was only a short walk from here to the Peace Bridge built in 2011 over the Foyle River leading us straight into the heart of the walled city.

 The town that began from a monastery in 546 and was known as Derry until 1613, when it was changed to Londonderry after it was selected as a major Plantation project. This resulted in much unrest as the Irish people were displaced by the English and Scottish who had been given their land. It was at this time that the city walls were built to protect the new settlers. Unfortunately the unrest continued on manifesting itself during the Troubles (1968-1998) although there are still rumbles between them. So with this of bit of history about the city we ventured forth. Our first stop was The Guildhall built 1890 and having suffered fires and bombings, it still stands proudly between the city walls and the river. 

It has many beautiful stained glass windows that depicts the history of the town including the many guilds that came here from Britain. 

There was a room dedicated to explaining the Plantation Project.

 We also ventured up the lovely oak staircase to the have a look at the Grand Hall.

 We then popped into the Tower Museum and learnt about the the 1.5km walls in greater detail. They are amongst the best preserved in Europe. They have famously never been breached and the biggest test came during the 1689 siege that lasted 105 days and resulted in nearly half the population dieing from starvation or disease.

 So we then began our tour on the walls. There were plenty of information boards explaining the different buildings and gateways along the route. 

We went through Butchers Gate down into the Bogside, a catholic area that have many murals about the Troubles.

 We then continued along the wall and stopped St.Columbs Cathedral which had some great information. 

We ventured on and finished our lap and then went to find a good pub for a chilled Guinness and a bite to eat. 

We then had a walk around inside  and outside of the walls and did a bit of tourist shopping before making it back to Bluey.