Belle Isle Castle facts for kids
Belle Isle Castle is a beautiful old house from the 1700s. It sits on Belle Isle, an island in County Fermanagh, Northern Ireland. This island used to be called Ballymacmanus Island. The entire Belle Isle Estate covers a huge area of 470 acres near Lisbellaw.
Originally, Belle Isle Castle was built as a house in the early 1600s. Today, it has been made much bigger and completely updated. It's now a popular place for visitors, a hotel, and a venue for weddings. There's even a cooking school right on the property! The estate has been owned by important families for hundreds of years. It first welcomed visitors for events in 1760. In 1991, the castle was fully renovated to welcome even more guests.
The castle itself has a gallery, a tall tower with great views, a courtyard, and a large hall for banquets. You can also stay in different parts of the estate, like the coach houses and cottages. Each one has unique bedrooms for guests. Inside, you'll find English and Irish furniture, a big fireplace, and art from different countries. Large windows look out over the beautiful gardens, which have been growing since the 1700s.
History of Belle Isle Castle
Belle Isle Castle started as a single house. It was first built around 1700 by Sir Ralph Gore, 4th Bt.. His grandfather, Sir Paul Gore, had gained ownership of Belle Island earlier.
Sir Ralph Gore's grandson, who was also named Sir Ralph Gore, was born in the house in 1725. As he grew up, he made the estate much larger. He added cottages and a tower. With the help of a designer named Thomas Wright, he also created the amazing gardens that surround the castle and reach the shore of Lough Erne. When Sir Ralph Gore passed away in 1801, the expanded castle was left to his only surviving child, Lady Mary Hardinge.
After Lady Hardinge and her husband passed away, the estate went to her husband's nephew, The Rev. Sir Charles Hardinge. He wasn't interested in keeping the castle. So, in 1830, he sold it to The Rev. John Grey Porter. His family owned the property for many years, until 1991. The Porter family also continued to expand the castle, adding more office wings and cottage houses.
In 1991, a descendant of the Porter family, Miss Lavinia Baird, sold the estate. It was bought by The 5th Duke of Abercorn for his youngest son, Lord Nicholas Hamilton. The Abercorn family worked hard to transform the castle. Thanks to their efforts, it became the popular tourist attraction it is today.
What's on the Grounds?
Behind the castle, you'll find the Belle Isle Cookery School. It opened in 2004 and was the first modern cooking school in Northern Ireland.
Guests staying at Belle Isle can enjoy many activities on the grounds. These include shooting, sailing, and hiking.
