Tully Castle
County Fermanagh, Northern Ireland
Key facts
- Operator
- Department for Communities (Historic Environment Division)
- Condition
- Ruin
- Access
- Free, open access
Pinpoint
Lough Shore Rd, Derrygonnelly, Enniskillen BT93 6HP
Possible Opening Hours*
*Opening times change. Always check the official website before you travel.
| Monday | Open 24 hours |
| Tuesday | Open 24 hours |
| Wednesday | Open 24 hours |
| Thursday | Open 24 hours |
| Friday | Open 24 hours |
| Saturday | Open 24 hours |
| Sunday | Open 24 hours |
Tully Castle was built, reviewers note, around 1613 by Sir John Hume as part of the Ulster Plantation, and though it's largely ruined now, enough survives to read the building clearly, set right on the shore of Lough Erne. It takes a bit of effort to reach, which reviewers say is part of what makes it feel worth the trip.
Who to know
Sir John Hume · built the castle around 1613 as part of the Ulster Plantation
Worth the trip
The Lough Erne shoreline setting - reviewers describe it as a genuinely peaceful spot to sit with the history rather than just pass through.
Before you go
There's an easy waterside path from the car park for a longer walk, around 2km round trip past a cattle grid, alongside the shorter direct route to the ruin itself. The visitor centre only runs seasonally.
Visitors generally find Tully Castle a compact but atmospheric ruin, worth visiting for its history and the accompanying lakeside walk (about 45 minutes) around well-kept grounds, though a couple of reviewers note it's a small site without a huge amount to see beyond the ruin itself. Parking is limited, and one visitor had an unpleasant encounter with another visitor's off-lead dogs on the walking path.
Plantation castle and garden; seasonal visitor centre
“Not really much to see as it's a very small ruin, but a nice secluded spot of you come via boat to the Tully jetty”- Markus Wahl, visitor review
Practical notes from visitors
Quoted from individual Google reviews, not verified with the operator - treat as a steer, not gospel, and check before you travel.
- Parking
- “We walked a short distance from the car park, down an easy track, by the cattle grid, to the north.” - Ian Wilton-Jones
- Terrain & accessibility
- “When we arrived at the Lough shore, we walked a very easy path, right by the waterside, all the way round, then up a short steeper path, a wee bit after the lovely jetty.” - Ian Wilton-Jones
- Facilities
- “There are limited parking spaces, but there is a large green area with some picnic benches.” - Mark Sullivan
Common questions about Tully Castle
Where is Tully Castle?
Tully Castle is in County Fermanagh, Northern Ireland, at Lough Shore Rd, Derrygonnelly, Enniskillen BT93 6HP.
Is Tully Castle free to visit?
Yes - Tully Castle is a free, open-access site with no ticket booth, looked after by Department for Communities (Historic Environment Division). There may still be a charge for nearby parking, and open-access arrangements can change, so it's worth a quick check before you travel.
What is the highlight of visiting Tully Castle?
The Lough Erne shoreline setting - reviewers describe it as a genuinely peaceful spot to sit with the history rather than just pass through.
Is Tully Castle a ruin or still intact?
Tully Castle is a ruin - Plantation castle and garden; seasonal visitor centre.
