A blog of sketches of historic buildings

Enniskillen castle.

19/1/2025

Enniskillen Castle, principal fortress of the Maguire clan to 1585 when it was captured by the English. Of the Maguire tower house of 1428 only the lower level survives. It was significantly remodelled by Captain William Cole from 1607 and the 'water gate' with its Scottish corbeled bartizans added. Its last major remodelling was just before the Napoleonic period when it was converted to a military barracks (1796). it kept that function to 1950 and now houses a regimental museum and the Fermanagh County Museum. Both, as well as the castle, well worth the visit.

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Sperrin giants - Nowanois: The Storytellers

12/1/2025

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This is Nowanios; The Storytellers, located along the Glenelly Valley behind the former interpretive centre. The pair are on of three location for giants created by artist Thomas Tambo within the Sperrins. The sculptures are intended to symbolize the 'unifying essence of time', bridging past and future, where memories and stories converge. One giant is intended to represent the past, while the other is intended to embodiy the future. Tthe sculpture is a tribute to the tradition of storytelling. The elder Nowanois points to the sky, sharing tales with his younger self about the stars and ancestors who marveled at the heavens. https://giantsofthesperrins.com/giants/nowanois/

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The sperrin Giants- Ceoldán the stargazer

5/1/2025

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This is Ceoldán the Stargazer, located at the entrance to the Dark Skies observatory in Daragh Forest Park and one of the three Sperrins Giants created by artist Thomas Tambo. Ceoldán strives to capture the brilliance of ‘The Seven Sisters’ choir, a star formation that also represents the 7 guardians of Ireland: Oak, apple, hazel, ash, yew, alder, and elder. The constellation rises prominently above the southeastern horizon at the start of winter, lingering until late March. On a December day, there was still much to see. it is a great addition to this remote area. https://giantsofthesperrins.com/giants/ceoldan/

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The Sperrin giants - Darach

1/1/2025

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Happy New Year. A blustery day to get out ( between the showers) and get a bit of fresh air. This, is one of the Sperrin Giant's - Darrch the Guardian - who stands on top of Mullaghcarn Mountain, part of the Sperrins in Co Tyrone. There is a good path all the way up from Gortin Glen Forest Park and the walk is well worth the effort. The sculptures are by the artist Thomas Dambo and are part of a wider project he has initiated to create Trolls from recycled materials all over the world. 'As an eco-champion, Darach welcomes visitors with open arms, inviting them to gaze upon, reflect upon, and care for the land. Encircled by a ring of stones that she herself carried to the summit, Darach pays homage to the enduring local tradition of generations carrying stones to mountaintop cairns. This practice, celebrated annually on Cairn Sunday (the last Sunday in July), likely traces its origins back over a millennium, possibly rooted in pagan rituals.'giantsofthesperrins.com/giants/darach/

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Enniskillen castle.

Sperrin giants - Nowanois: The Storytellers

The sperrin Giants- Ceoldán the stargazer

The Sperrin giants - Darach

Marks of Time

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