Parke's Castle, Connacht Travel Guide

4.6 (814)

Explore a beautifully restored 17th-century plantation castle on the shores of Lough Gill, where Irish history and stunning scenery converge.

Home
Travel Guides
Ireland
Connacht
Parke's Castle

Parke's Castle, a restored 17th-century plantation castle, sits on the picturesque shores of Lough Gill in County Leitrim. Originally the site of an O'Rourke tower house, Captain Robert Parke constructed the manor in the 1630s. Today, visitors can explore the castle's history and admire its Irish oak interior and scenic setting.

A brief summary to Parke's Castle

Parke's Castle, Fivemilebourne, Kilmore, Co. Leitrim, F91 FP71, IE
Click to display
Click to display

Monday 10 am-6 pm
Tuesday 10 am-6 pm
Wednesday 10 am-6 pm
Thursday 10 am-6 pm
Friday 10 am-6 pm
Saturday 10 am-6 pm
Sunday 10 am-6 pm

From Eve

Know before you go

Hi, I'm Eve. Here are a few practical things to know before exploring Parke's Castle.

The castle is open seasonally, typically from mid-March to early November, so check the opening times before visiting.
Admission is by cash only, as there is no credit card terminal on site.
Take the guided tour for an in-depth understanding of the castle's history and features.
Allow at least an hour for your visit to fully explore the castle and grounds.
Enjoy the scenic drive along the shores of Lough Gill to reach the castle.

Do you manage this location?

Take control to get all the benefits, like improved information, better appearance, and stronger visibility across AI-powered discovery. Learn more about listing your business on Evendo

Activate your presence

Other nearby places you may find interesting

The closest places of the same kind, if this one is not quite what you had in mind.

Rath Mor

Hall of the Red Earl

Lynch Memorial Window

Aughnanure Castle

Woodlawn House

Explore Parke's Castle on the Map

A handpicked selection of must-see spots near Parke's Castle, mapped for you.

Getting There

Driving

Parke's Castle is located on the R286, approximately 11 km (7 miles) from Sligo Town and 7 km (4.3 miles) from Dromahair. From Sligo, follow the R286 towards Dromahair. The castle is situated directly on this road, along the shore of Lough Gill. From Dromahair, continue on the R286 towards Sligo; the castle will be on your right. There is a large car park on-site. Parking is free.
Public Transport

While there isn't a direct bus route to Parke's Castle, Bus Éireann provides services to nearby towns such as Sligo and Dromahair. From either of these locations, you would need to take a taxi to reach the castle. A taxi from Sligo to Parke's Castle would cost approximately €20-€30. Local Link Leitrim also operates in the area. Check their website for the most up-to-date routes and schedules. A single bus fare within Sligo starts at around €2.

Discover more about Parke's Castle

Parke's Castle, also known as Newtown Castle or O'Rourke's Castle, offers a glimpse into 17th-century Ireland. Located on the northeastern shore of Lough Gill in County Leitrim, the castle stands as a testament to a period of significant change in Ireland.The site was originally home to an O'Rourke tower house in the 1500s. After the execution of Sir Brian O'Rourke in 1591, the land was confiscated by the English Crown. In the 1630s, Captain Robert Parke, an English planter, leased the land and constructed a fortified manor house, incorporating elements of the original tower house into his design.The castle features a courtyard design, with a gatehouse, defensive towers, and a manor house. The buildings were constructed using Irish oak and traditional craftsmanship. Inside, visitors can explore the castle's rooms, including a banqueting hall, living quarters, and exhibitions detailing the history of the castle and the Parke family. The site also contains the foundations of the original O'Rourke tower house.Following the Parke family, the castle passed to the Gore family in the late 1670s. It fell into disrepair but was later restored in the late 20th century. Today, Parke's Castle is managed by the Office of Public Works and is open to the public from mid-March to early November.