Castle Coole House
Located near the Belmore Court Motel, Castle Coole is one of the treasures of the National Trust. A neo-classical masterpiece, the beauty of its exterior architecture is matched by the opulence of its interior.
Castle Coole is one of the treasures of the National Trust and is located only 1km from the Belmore Court Motel.
A neo-classical masterpiece, the beauty of its exterior architecture is matched by the opulence of its interior. The house was designed by James Wyatt and completed in 1798 for the first Earl of Belmore. Some of the leading craftsmen of the 18th century worked on its interior.
Magnificent staterooms with their sumptuous furnishings include the State Bedroom prepared for a visit by George IV in 1821. The nearby servants` tunnel, stable yard and ice house are set within a stunning landscape park, which is ideal for long, peaceful walks.
Points of interest include a rare Broadwood piano found in the attic in the mid 1990s, and the impressive Belmore Coach, on display in the property's stableyard. The mansion is set in a scenic landscaped parkland with mature trees, a lake and numerous walks. The tree-lined avenue leading from the main entrance to the property was planted in 1730 and led to the original Queen Ann House.
The stone used to build Castle Coole was quarried in Portland, Dorset, and shipped to Ballyshannon on the Co. Donegal coast. It was unloaded at a purpose-built quay, carried by barge to Enniskillen and then hauled by oxen the last few miles to the building site.