Portora Castle, Enniskillen, United Kingdom

Portora Castle was built for Sir William Cole who purchased the land in 1612. It is strategically positioned by the narrow exit of the River Erne into the Lower Lough Erne.

Sir Michael Cole and his family moved to Portora Castle in 1710 when their previous residence, Enniskillen Castle, was hit by fire. They remained there until about 1716, when Sir Michael's son, John Cole (1680–1726), started building Florence Court.

Three of the flankers remain, the two on the west, flanking the walls of the castle. These round towers, about 3m in diameter, have several gun loops. Inside the castle can be seen proper fireplace chimneys in the north and west walls.

The ford at Portora was important in the Erne Waterways and must have seen considerable traffic in peace and war. In the course of the Erne Drainage Scheme (1951–1960) a bronze dirk and stone axes were recovered at this point. The castle is now in ruins, partly because a group of truanting school-boys from nearby Portora Royal School, now Enniskillen Royal Grammar School, experimenting with gunpowder they learnt how to create in chemistry class, blew up a section in the latter part of the 19th century. They also tried digging under the building which added to its dereliction.

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Castles and fortifications in United Kingdom

User Reviews

Daniel McGuigan (2 years ago)
A great place to visit for some peace and quiet with great views onto the river

Paul O'Neil (3 years ago)
It is a ruin but still. Worth a visit when your are passing by.

Larissa Ribeiro (3 years ago)
Not a castle actually.. just some little wall but the cow was really cute

Apollo Spencer (3 years ago)
lovely historical build

Mhairi Walton (3 years ago)
Situated just off the outskirts of Enniskillen town on the shore road you'll pick up the sign for Portra Castle. Small amount of parking available located just Infront of monument. Grassed area and short walking path down and around to the shoreline of the lakes near to the round O playpark.

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Kakesbeck is one of the largest medieval fortifications in Münsterland and the oldest castle in Lüdinghausen. The imposingly grown complex originated in 1120 as a motte, a small hilltop tower castle. After numerous changes of ownership, the castle was extended onto two islands, but it was not until the 14th century that it underwent significant alterations and extensions under the von Oer family. The estate experienced its heyday in the middle of the 18th century, when it covered an area of almost one square kilometre and consisted of five further outer castles in addition to the core castle, which were secured by ramparts and moats.

The well-maintained condition of the castle today is thanks to the late Wilfried Grewing, the former lord of the castle. The foundation named after him has been particularly committed to preserving the property since 2020.

Portora Castle

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