Tully Castle: A Haunting Plantation-Era Fortress on Lower Lough Erne

Explore the evocative ruins of Tully Castle, a 17th-century plantation fortress steeped in history and tragedy on the shores of Lower Lough Erne.

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Tully Castle

Tully Castle is a striking early 17th-century fortified house and bawn located on the scenic shores of Lower Lough Erne near Derrygonnelly, County Fermanagh. Built by Scottish planter Sir John Hume between 1611 and 1613, it was designed for defense amid the turbulent Plantation of Ulster. The castle witnessed a tragic massacre during the 1641 Irish Rebellion, after which it was burned and never reoccupied. Today, its evocative ruins and surrounding grounds offer a poignant glimpse into Northern Ireland’s plantation history.

A brief summary to Tully Castle

Lough Shore Rd, Enniskillen, Derrygonnelly, BT93 6HP, GB
Visit website
Duration: 1 to 2.5 hours
Free
Outdoor
Mobile reception: 4 out of 5

Monday 12 am-12 am
Tuesday 12 am-12 am
Wednesday 12 am-12 am
Thursday 12 am-12 am
Friday 12 am-12 am
Saturday 12 am-12 am
Sunday 12 am-12 am

Local tips

Visit the small visitor centre near the castle entrance for exhibitions and historical context before exploring the ruins.
Take the scenic walking route around the castle and along the lough shore to enjoy natural views and local wildlife.
Plan your visit during daylight hours for the best experience, as the castle grounds have uneven surfaces and limited lighting.
Boat visitors can use the castle’s jetty on Lower Lough Erne, but be aware facilities there are minimal.
Respect the solemn history of the site, especially the 1641 massacre, which is commemorated through interpretive panels.

Getting There

Car

Driving from Enniskillen to Tully Castle takes approximately 25 to 35 minutes via local roads. Ample parking is available near the visitor centre. Note that some rural roads may be narrow and winding.
Bus

Local bus services connect Enniskillen and Derrygonnelly with infrequent schedules; expect a travel time of around 40 to 60 minutes. Check current timetables as services may be limited, especially on weekends.
Boat

Visitors arriving by boat can use the jetty at Tully Castle on Lower Lough Erne. This provides a scenic and unique access point, though facilities at the jetty are minimal with no water or electricity available.
Walking

For active visitors, walking from Derrygonnelly village to Tully Castle is a moderate 1-hour trek over mixed terrain, including paved and natural paths. Suitable footwear is recommended.

Tully Castle location weather suitability

Any Weather
Rain / Wet Weather
Clear Skies
Mild Temperatures

Discover more about Tully Castle

Origins and Strategic Design of Tully Castle

Tully Castle was constructed between 1611 and 1613 by Sir John Hume, a Scottish planter granted land during the Plantation of Ulster. Situated on the southern shore of Lower Lough Erne, the castle was built with defense as a priority, reflecting the tensions between the new Scottish settlers and the native Irish population. The fortified house features a rectangular bawn—a walled courtyard roughly 100 feet square—surrounded by high stone walls and four projecting corner towers called flankers. These towers were designed to provide musket and pistol defense, a hallmark of plantation castles of the era. The castle’s architecture blends Scottish influences with local Irish masonry techniques, a testament to the collaboration of cultures during its construction.

The Tragic Events of the 1641 Irish Rebellion

Tully Castle’s history is marked by a dark episode during the Irish Rebellion of 1641. On Christmas Eve, rebel forces led by Rory Maguire, whose family had previously held the land, arrived with over 800 men. Most of the castle’s male defenders were absent, leaving Lady Mary Hume and the settlers vulnerable. After surrendering under the promise of safe conduct, the castle’s occupants—approximately 15 men and 60 women and children—were imprisoned in the vaulted cellar. The following day, these prisoners were massacred, and the castle was set ablaze. The Hume family was spared but never returned, leaving the castle a ruin. This event is one of the most infamous massacres of the rebellion and contributes to the castle’s haunting atmosphere.

Preservation and Visitor Experience Today

Today, Tully Castle stands as one of the best-preserved plantation castles in Fermanagh, with the stronghouse surviving to nearly full height and parts of the bawn walls still visible. A sensitive conservation program began in the 1970s, stabilizing the ruins and revealing features such as cobbled garden paths within the bawn. Visitors can explore the castle’s footprint, including the barrel-vaulted ground floor, which once served as a kitchen and storeroom, and admire the distinctive quarter-round turret. Interpretation panels provide vivid accounts of the castle’s history, including the 1641 massacre, enhancing the visitor’s understanding of the site’s significance.

Natural Setting and Surrounding Attractions

Set on a scenic headland on Lower Lough Erne, the castle is surrounded by natural beauty, including views across the lough to nearby islands such as Heron, Gay, and Inishmakill. A walking route around the castle and along the lough shore offers opportunities to enjoy the tranquil woodland and spot local wildlife, particularly wild birds that inhabit the area. Nearby facilities include a restored farmhouse visitor centre with exhibitions on the Plantation era and local history, parking, toilets, and picnic areas. The site is also accessible by boat via a jetty, making it a unique destination for waterborne visitors.

Cultural Legacy and Folklore

Tully Castle’s turbulent past has left a lasting cultural imprint. The massacre of 1641 has inspired local folklore and ghost stories, contributing to a dark, brooding atmosphere that some visitors find compelling. The castle and its surrounding village site are protected as State Care Historic Monuments, preserving an important chapter of Northern Ireland’s plantation history. Nearby castles such as Monea Castle share similar origins and histories, offering further exploration of the region’s plantation heritage.

Planning Your Visit and Accessibility

Admission to Tully Castle and the visitor centre is free, with the centre staffed during open hours, though it may close occasionally due to staffing or seasonal factors. The site is dog-friendly, with paved paths suitable for families, though picnics are not permitted within the formal grounds. While the castle ruins and grounds are easily accessible, visitors should be prepared for uneven surfaces typical of historic sites. The jetty provides a distinctive arrival point for those exploring by boat, though facilities there are minimal. Overall, Tully Castle offers a poignant, atmospheric experience blending history, architecture, and natural beauty.

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Tully Castle: A Haunting Plantation-Era Fortress on Lower Lough Erne

A brief summary to Tully Castle

Local tips

For the on-the-go comforts that matter to you

Getting There

Car

Bus

Boat

Walking

Tully Castle location weather suitability

Unlock the Best of Tully Castle

Buy tickets

Book tours with entry

Book tours without entry

Discover more about Tully Castle

Origins and Strategic Design of Tully Castle

The Tragic Events of the 1641 Irish Rebellion

Preservation and Visitor Experience Today

Natural Setting and Surrounding Attractions

Cultural Legacy and Folklore

Planning Your Visit and Accessibility

Iconic landmarks you can’t miss

Glenfarne Demesne

The Burren Forest

Burren SW Portal Tomb

Donegal Corridor

Donegal Town Walking Tours

Donegal Town Tourist Information Centre

Abbey of Donegal

Roe Hugh O’Donnell Commemorative

Donegal Bay Charters

Donegal Town Centre

Lough Eske

Donegal Harbour

Governor's House Omagh Gaol

Portal Tombs of Ballyrenan

Ulster American Folk Park

Unmissable attractions to see

Blackslee Waterfall Walk Parking

Castle Archdale Country Park

White Island Stone Figures (State Care Monument)

Old Castle Archdale (State Care Monument)

Pollnagollum Cave

St Mary's Augustinian Priory

Portora Castle

Enniskillen Taste Experience

Enniskillen Castle

Castle Island

Buttermarket

Maguire's Public House

Belleek Visitor Center

Belleek Pottery Ltd

Kiltyclogher Heritage Centre

Essential places to dine

Tullana on the Green

The Barn at Finn Lough

The Belleek Restaurant

Catalina

Molly's Bar

M Lounge

28 At The Hollow

Blakes of the Hollow

Little Wing Pizzeria

Dollakis

Kamal Mahal

Franco's

The Street Kitchen Enniskillen

Granny Annies

The Golden Arrow

Markets, malls and hidden boutiques

Country House Town House

Style Boutique

Vogue

Klassy Kids Occasionwear - Communion, Christening & Boys Suits. Enniskillen, Northern Ireland

EweMomma

Osborne & Co.

Graham Enniskillen

Menarys

The Works

B&M Store