A blog of sketches of historic buildings - Marks of Time

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.

January 27th, 2024

27/1/2024

Tully Castle, Co. Fermanagh. Built in 1619 as part of the Plantation of Ulster for John Hume of Berwick in the Sottish Borders. A T shaped fortified house surrounded by a stone bawn wall with projecting circular stepped bartizans in the Scottish style. The building was only occupied for 20 years being attacked and destroyed in the 1641 rebellion. Today it is a Monument is State Care by the shores of the lough with fine walks. Worth a visit.

Requiem

30/3/2020

My Dad died recently. I thought I would do a short series on places that I will always associate with him. This is Knockninny Quay, Lough Erne, Co. Fermanagh. We had two great holidays here during the 1980's messing around in boats and canoes. This is a drawing of one night that my brother and I became becalmed and dad was among a group waiting for us on the quay. It all looked good but we were without an oar and worried that we wouldn't make it back. The original photograph was subsequently used in NI Tourist Board information for many years and was a regular reminder of a great family holiday.

July 06th, 2019

6/7/2019

Florence Court House Co Fermanagh

Main house built in mid eighteenth century. Side wings and pavilions later c. 1771. It all looks very dramatic set within its surrounding landscape on a evening with a moody sky. The building is owned by the National Trust and open to visitors.

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26/10/2016

Enniskillen town hall of 1899 is a classical building with a tall Italianate tower of great character

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25/10/2016

In between the two lies the isle of Devinish with the remains of its abbey and round tower.

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24/10/2016

Currys Cottage in Teemore is located further west in Co Fermanagh, A cruck trussed, mud walled house with rounded corners, it is a remnant of a very early type of house illustrated on the first maps of the 1600′s

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19/10/2016

Mullylusty Cottage near Belcoo in Co Fermanagh is well situated in its moorland landscape.

October 16th, 2016

16/10/2016

Another thatched house, full of character and integrated with its landscape.

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26/6/2016

Just spent the weekend at Shamrock Cottage, Portagaria Wood, nr Boa Island, Co Fermanagh, built c. 2013. Well worth a visit, beautifully furnished with fine views over Lough Erne. www.stunningshamrockcottage.com