Thursday 19 June 2014

GOOD FENCES -Castle Coole (1)

When I was returning from my trip to Sligo recently, I popped in to see  Castle Coole.  It is one of Ireland's finest 18th century magnificent Neo-classical houses in County Fermanagh, Northern Ireland, allowing visitors to glimpse at what life was like in the home of the Earls of Belmore.  It is set in a 1200 acre wooded estate.  In 1951, the 7th Earl Belmore sold the mansion to the National Trust, prompted by two sets of death duties or inheritance tax when the 5th and 6th Earls Belmore died without issue 18 months apart.   However, the contents of the mansion were not sold and still belongs to the family and so although I was guided round the house by Heather, I was unable to take photographs to show you.  CLICK HERE to find out more about the history etc of this estate.  

Like last week, I am posting this series over the next 3 days and today will fit into Tex's GOOD FENCES.




This is the Queen Anne House and below is a photograph of what the gardens looked like then but nowadays there are no formal gardens.



Over the next 3 days I will be showing you my finds as I walk around the beautiful lake.






Before going into the main house, I went to see the Grand Yard.







Outside the Grand Yard, there was a play area and paths leading to part of the estate grounds.


To the left of this shot are the steps leading to the main house and on the left is the opening of the tunnel where all provisions and servants approached the house as the Earl did not want any of these things being viewed from the house itself.  Later you will see the other end of this long tunnel.


Off we go to see the house and show you 
what photograph I had permission to take.


Standing in front of the house, you get a glimpse of the lake and it must have been lovely in spring time with the daffodils blooming.


This is the lovely door in which I entered the house. 


Although I could not take photographs inside the house, this is a shot looking out from one of the windows. Below, are shots of 'under stairs' where the servants would have been working and living and I was able to photograph.







This is the other end of the tunnel and it had to be wide enough for the transport bring all the provisions into the estate.


After viewing the house, I walked round the lake and these are a few shots I will show you today but you will see more tomorrow.




I hope you enjoyed your first glimpse at Castle Coole house and estate.  Please join me tomorrow for more photographs to fit in with Jame’s meme, Weekend Reflections.

Thank you for visiting.


Many thanks for leaving comments on any of my posts

42 comments:

  1. Fantastic post. I have visited Sligo and the surrounding area but I didn't get to visit this amazing place, too bad for me.

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    1. Hi Lynn This place is not in Sligo but in the North of Ireland near Enniskillen but glad you enjoyed it. More tomorrow.

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  2. That tunnel and its surroundings is an architectural wonder in itself. It is a pity that the National Trust do not allow photos in many of their properties, as we no longer have to use a flash which could possibly damage fabrics and artwork, I don't understand the thinking behind this ruling.

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    1. Hi Well i can tell you on this occasion all the things inside the house belong to the family still and as such over the years when photographed, some of them have been stolen. I would like to photograph the inside architecture in particular which does belong to the National trust. Maybe some day I will get permission. If you go onto this web site, you will see a few of the rooms. Now i think if it is on there, there should be not reason for me not to photograph the same things. http://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/castle-coole/ thanks for visiting and your comment.

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  3. Those are some very interesting structures inside the stairwell, but the exterior shot is absolutely stunning. This is indeed a very unique combination of nature and wildlife.

    Mersad
    Mersad Donko Photography

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    1. HI Mersad I am glad you like the post and many thanks for your comment.

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  4. WHAT a place. And the stories those walls could tell...

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  5. What a beautiful estate! I love the first shot, with the view of the cows.. wonderful tour and photos.. Thanks for sharing.

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  6. Fences for the cattle and a great gate too. Lovely pics of this location. I'd love to see it myself.

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  7. Now this is what I'd call a GOOD fence! Loved the tour of the castle and castle grounds Margaret.

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  8. Awesome! I enjoyed your tour. The gate is really nice and that door...wow!

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  9. a grand estate. love the rural setting with cattle and the trees! thanks, margaret!

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  10. gorgeous fields. i love the views. i can only imagine living there ... i great get away. i think i could live there. too perfect. ( :

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  11. i went through the slide show twice to enjoy all this beauty... what a fantasic place to visit. i love all your photos. the shots of the stairs and stairwells are awesome.. and something i can't see here.

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  12. Fascinating! Castles are always so interesting and grand.

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  13. Well that was a wonderful tour, full of interest and lovely pictures. Such a shame Margaret that you were limited in your photo opportunities.

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  14. Oh my goodness, such greatness, I don't know where to begin. I do have to say my favorite is your first, with the cows all calm and content, enjoying life and a fence that does it's job but fades away so the beauty and charm of oh my that fabulous castle! Great photos, all of them.

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  15. All so beautiful. Of course I love gates, doors, and stairways. They make such great photos. Wonderful shots!

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  16. What a grand place! Beautiful Setting and that's quite a tunnel!

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  17. Wonderful tour, Margaret! Castles have always fascinated me and this one looks so interesting and beautiful. The surrounding rural landscape is beautiful, too. Thank you for sharing this trip!

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  18. the photos you did take are great and it does give us a glimpse of the vastness of the estate...interesting there were so many fires of the previous structures...

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  19. I am drooling. Oh this is all so lovely! Thanks, Janey ...visiting from Good Fences

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  20. What a grand castle!! Your images are especially beautiful!!

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  21. Oh wow...what a wonderful place! Gorgeous, gorgeous photos...beautiful setting and GREAT fences and gates!

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  22. How lovely to scroll through your photos of this wonderful spot. I so hope to visit Ireland one day.

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  23. Cracking set of photos Margaret, great post as always.

    peter

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  24. Oh what a great and beautiful castle. I am delighted estate. It is huge.
    Have a nice weekend.
    Greetings.

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  25. Good grief, it even has it's own transport tunnel! I just can't imagine any manor having that much land! We have Greylag geese here. I love the little tiny round house in the last picture, and cannot imagine what it is used for. It only looks good for a child's playhouse. And if you close the door you would smother!

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  26. Thanks for letting me come along for the visit of the lovely castle.
    I especially liked the door and the various views.
    Peace :)

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  27. What a lovely place and surroundings. Could you imagine living there? Wow.

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  28. I'm glad you were able to take a few photographs, but it would've been nice to see the interior shots. Gorgeous surrounding grounds ... thanks for sharing your visit. Wendy x

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  29. What a magnificent place Castle Coole is!!! I enjoyed all the landscape and tunnel♡♡♡
    Thank you very much for sharing these pictures of gorgeous place and scenery, Margaret;

    Sending you lots of Love and Hugs from Japan, xoxo Miyako*

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  30. An absolute awesome post...enjoyed every single photo.

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  31. Hi Margaret, Castle Coole looks like an awesome place. I'd love to visit many of the castles in England/Ireland, etc... Just beautiful!!!! Thanks for taking us on the tour... So gorgeous!

    Hugs,
    Betsy

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  32. Wow that first shot is awesome. This looks like such an amazing place. I'd love to have seen inside it.

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  33. Very interesting place.

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  34. This would be an amazing place to visit, I love the way you captured the entrance ways. Wonderful gate leading into the court yard.

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  35. What an impressive place and beautiful series of images!

    ~Lindy

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  36. wow, so many great images. Would have loved to photograph that place myself. Love all the tunnels and corridors. :) Very nice images. :)

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