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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Photo from Flickr, copyright Bela Lindtner

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