Belle Isle Castle

Belle Isle Castle is an 18th-century house on Belle Isle, an island previously known, in Gaelic times, as Ballymacmanus Island or Senadh-Mic-Maghnusa or, simply, Senad. ^{[1] [2]} The Belle Isle Estate stretches over 470-acres near Lisbellaw in County Fermanagh, Northern Ireland. ^[3] Built solely as a house in the early 17th century, Belle Isle Castle is now expanded and fully refurbished and serves as a popular tourist attraction, hotel and wedding venue. It also contains an on site cookery school. ^[3] Dating back to the early 17th century, the estate has been inhabited, owned and expanded by generations of nobles including The 1st Earl of Ross.^{[ citation needed ]} The estate has welcomed the public since 1760 when it began hosting events. In 1991, the castle was fully refurbished to open its doors to more visitors.^{[ citation needed ]} Since 2018 the estate has welcomed a newer kind of guest, the pine marten, in order to aid with population control of the grey squirrel. The castle contains a gallery, an overlook tower, a courtyard, and a grand banquet hall. It also offers different residences throughout its coach houses and cottages, all of which include unique, different style bedrooms for its guests.^{[ citation needed ]} The estate encompasses English and Irish furnishings, a grand open fireplace, works by Russian, Irish and English painters, and floor-to-ceiling windows that overlook the garden, which has been manifesting since the 18th century.^{[ citation needed ]}

History

Belle Isle Castle originated as a sole house that was first built and inhabited by Sir Ralph Gore, 4th Bt., in about 1700, after his grandfather Sir Paul Gore came into possession of Belle Island.^{[ citation needed ]} Sir Ralph Gore's grandson, General The 1st Earl of Ross, was born in the house in 1725 and throughout his life further expanded it, adding cottages, a tower, and with the help of designer Thomas Wright, together created the magnificent garden that surrounds the estate and extends to the Lough Erne shore.^{[ citation needed ]} Upon Lord Ross's death in 1801, the now expanded castle was left to his only surviving child, Lady Mary Hardinge, wife of Sir Richard Hardinge, 1st Baronet.^{[ citation needed ]}

After Lady Hardinge's death in 1824, and her husband's death two years later, the estate was left to the nephew of Hardinge, The Rev. Sir Charles Hardinge, 2nd Baronet, of Tonbridge, Kent, whom deemed no interest in owning the castle. ^{[ citation needed ]} In 1830, he sold the estate for £68,000 to The Rev. John Grey Porter of Kilskeery, whose descendants owned the property up until 1991. During the ownership, the Porters worked to further expand the castle, adding various office wings and cottage houses.^{[ citation needed ]} In 1991, Porter descendant Miss Lavinia Baird sold the estate to The 5th Duke of Abercorn, who purchased the estate for his youngest son, Lord Nicholas Hamilton.

Grounds

Situated behind the castle, the Belle Isle Cookery School opened its doors in 2004 to be the first state-of-the-art cookery school in Northern Ireland. ^[4]

Also on the grounds are activities available to guests that include shooting, sailing, and hiking. ^[5]

See also

• Castles in Northern Ireland

References

1. Robert Bell, The Book of Ulster Surnames, p. 175. The Blackstaff Press, Belfast, 1988 (2003 reprint).
2. Brian G. Scott (General Editor), Claire Foley and Ronan McHugh, An Archaeological Survey of County Fermanagh: Volume I, Part 2 - The Early Christian and Medieval Periods, pp. 349 and 698. Northern Ireland Environment Agency (N.I.E.A.), Belfast, and Colourpoint Books, Newtownards, 2014.
3. Tours, Tenon. "Belle Isle Castle S/C". Archived from the original on 3 April 2014. Retrieved 3 April 2014.
4. "Belle Isle Cookery School". Archived from the original on 3 November 2015. Retrieved 3 April 2014.
5. "Belle Isle". © Belle Isle 2014. Retrieved 3 April 2014.

54°16′04″N7°33′23″W / 54.2678°N 7.5564°W / 54.2678; -7.5564