Tully Castle
Description
Are you trying to discover the best things to do with kids in County Fermanagh? Tully Castle is an imposing, 17th-century fortified house and bawn outdoor ruin located on the edge of the scenic Fermanagh Lakelands. It serves as a historic nature destination where families can picnic beside the water, stroll along well-preserved stone pathways, and enjoy an educational day out exploring local Irish history.
Prices start from £0.00 as this is a completely free-to-access public historic attraction. There are no ticket barriers or booking fees required to explore the castle ruins, the beautiful gardens, or the surrounding grassy peninsula.
If you are looking for the best place for a day out with family and kids that perfectly combines a short walk with a fascinating window into ancient times, this castle is a wonderful choice. It provides a quiet, open space where older kids can learn about plantation-era architecture while younger ones enjoy watching the boats pass by on Lough Erne.
Features
- Free
- Host birthday parties: No
Features
Key Features
- The Impressive Castle Keep: The stronghouse survives to almost its full height, complete with distinctive corbelled turrets. Kids will love marveling at the towering stone structure and looking for the vaulted ground-floor cellar.
- The Fortified Bawn Wall: Surrounding the castle are the ruins of the original defensive wall with its corner flanker towers. School-aged children can pretend to be guards pacing the perimeter while examining the sturdy masonry.
- The Cobbled Path Gardens: Archaeological excavations revealed beautiful cobbled paths within the bawn, showing it was once used as a garden. Families can walk along these paths to see how 17th-century residents laid out their grounds.
- The Restored Farmhouse Exhibition: A beautifully restored traditional farmhouse near the entrance acts as the visitor hub. Children can view the local historical exhibits and stories to understand what life was like long ago.
- The Lakeside Peninsula Walk: The castle sits majestically on Tully Point, jutting directly into the waters of Lough Erne. Kids can enjoy a short, scenic walk down the long lane while spotting local birds and boats.
Detailed Inventory & Beyond the Main Attraction
- The Three-Storey Tully Castle Stronghouse
- The Ruined Bawn Wall and Four Flanker Towers
- The Ground Floor Vaulted Cellar
- The Restored Farmhouse Visitor Centre
- The Tully Point Cobbled Garden Path
Facilities
- Buggy Parking: There is no dedicated pushchair park, but the wide gravel footpaths and grassy grounds are easy to navigate with standard strollers.
- Food Options: No cafés sit on-site, so it is highly recommended to bring your own picnic and drinks to enjoy on the lawn.
What to see
What Visitors Love
- The peaceful lakeside location offers stunning panoramic views that parents and older children appreciate.
- Because it is entirely free to visit, it is a great budget-friendly stop to break up a day of regional sightseeing.
- The combination of a historic castle ruin with wide grassy spaces gives kids a perfect place to safely stretch their legs.
- The historical exhibits in the farmhouse provide clear, easy-to-read stories that older children find engaging.
What Visitors Don't Like
- There are limited indoor activities on-site, meaning a sudden rainstorm will quickly cut your visit short.
- The lack of commercial shops or a regular playground means you need to plan your own entertainment and bring plenty of snacks.
Pro-Tips
- Check the Farmhouse Hours: While the outdoor castle grounds are open all year, the visitor exhibition inside the cottage runs on seasonal hours.
- Supervise Closely: Children under the age of 16 must be accompanied by an adult, especially around the ancient stone ruins and the deep waters of the lough edge.
Price
Price: Free
Birthday Parties
Offer Birthday Parties: No
- Castle Grounds: Open daily all year round.
- Visitor Centre Farmhouse: Winter opening is Sunday 12:00 - 16:00 (it is recommended to check ahead for seasonal summer times).
Address: Tully Castle, Lough Shore Rd, Derrygonnelly, Enniskillen BT93 6HP, United Kingdom
Post Code: BT93 6HP
Council: Fermanagh and Omagh
County: County Fermanagh
- By Bus: Local regional bus links to Derrygonnelly run from Enniskillen, followed by a short taxi ride to the site.
- By Car: Located on the Loughshore Road (A46) between Enniskillen and Belleek, turning down a long lane towards Tully Point.
- Parking: A free main gravel car park is provided right on-site.
Rating breakdown
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