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 18^th 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