Tully Castle facts for kids
Tully Castle is an old castle in County Fermanagh, Northern Ireland. Its name in Irish, Caisleán na Tulaí, means "castle on the hill." You can find it near the village of Blaney, right on Blaney Bay, which is on the southern side of Lower Lough Erne. The area around Blaney got its name from Sir Edward Blaney. He was part of a group from England who came to Fermanagh to help set up the Plantation. This was a time when many people from England and Scotland moved to Ireland.
Contents
What is Tully Castle?
Tully Castle is a special kind of fortified house. It has a strong, rectangular wall around it called a bawn. Sir John Hume, who was a Scottish settler, built this castle in 1619. The bawn had four square towers at each corner, making it very secure.
Why Was Tully Castle Built?
Tully Castle was built during a time called the Plantation of Ulster. This was when the English government encouraged people from Scotland and England to move to Ulster, a province in Ireland. The idea was to bring new settlers to the land. Sir John Hume, a Scottish planter, built Tully Castle to live in and to protect his family and land in this new area.
A Difficult Christmas Day
During the Irish Rebellion of 1641, a man named Rory Maguire wanted to get his family's lands back. On Christmas Eve, he arrived at Tully Castle with many followers. Most of the men who lived in the castle were away. Lady Mary Hume, who was in charge, decided to give up the castle. She thought this would keep everyone safe, especially the women and children.
However, on Christmas Day, a terrible event happened. The Maguires attacked the castle. They killed 60 women and children, and 15 men. Only the Hume family members were spared. After this, the castle was burned down. The Hume family never returned to live there.
What Happened After the Fire?
After Tully Castle was destroyed, the Hume family needed a new home. They built a new family home nearby called Castle Hume Hall. This new building was designed by a famous architect named Richard Cassels.
Visiting Tully Castle Today
Today, Tully Castle and the old village site are protected as State Care Historic Monuments. This means they are important historical places that the government looks after. You can find them in the area called Tully, within the Fermanagh District Council. The exact location is at grid reference H1267 5664. It's a place where you can learn about history and imagine what life was like long ago.
