Tully Castle Loughshore Walk

Tully Castle Lough Shore Walk is part of the Marble Arch Caves Global Geopark. The walk is located on a small headland jutting into Lower Lough Erne. Tully Castle stands at the top of a south-facing slope on Tully Point. During the Castles occupation in the early 17th Century, Lough Erne was a transport highway of the time. The start of the walk takes in the impressive remains of Tully Castle, situated in the townland of Tully. The fortified house and bawn built during the plantation era in the early 17th century stands on top of a south facing slope on Tully Point, which commands views around the immediate countryside and across the lough. Historically the castle is a “time capsule” as it was lived in for only thirty years. For over 350 years it lay ruined and desolate until 1974 when a programme of restoration and consolidation was undertaken to the castle, garden and footpaths. The path goes around the headland through deep woodland with a delightful mixture of broadleaved trees dominated by ash and beech. The undergrowth glows a vibrant green with mosses, lichen, wood sorrel, orchids, blue bells and ferns carpeting the ground in different seasons. Added to these surroundings are views where the woodland opens to provide glimpses of Lower Lough Erne and its surroundings. Take a moment to look at Heron Island, Gay Island and Inishmakill Island which are directly opposite the shoreline. These islands and the surrounding shore, are an important area for a variety of wild birds. Tully Castle, the gardens and cottage are managed by the Department of the Environment, Historic Environment Division and the shoreline is managed by the Marble Arch Caves Global Geopark and by Waterways Ireland. The highlights of the walk are the remains of the Plantation castle Tully Castle built in 1613 for Sir John Hume and the 19th-century cottage that has been transformed into an exhibition space outlining the history of the castle and surrounding area.