Castle Caldwell

Exposed corner tower

The original Castle Caldwell was built from 1610 by Thomas Blemmerhassett on the 1500 acre estate he acquired in the Plantation of Ulster. About 50 years later the castle was purchased by James Caldwell, a properous Enssikillen merchant originally from Ayrshire in Scotland. Unlike many other plantation castles, this one survived intact into the early 19th century. But by the turn into the 20th century the castle had fallen into disrepair and after 300 years it had become a ruin. It has remained that way since then though it is now in state "care". Much of the structure remains though it is now heavily shrouded in ivy and the forest continues to invade it.

Ivy root

A path leads past this corner tower and although the structure seems fairly evident, as you walk by it can be easily missed. Other views, especially toward what would have been the main facade can see nothing but a wall of greenery - nothing to suggest a castle lies buried underneath. Recent years growth have even over taken the warning signs.

It is not too difficult to dodge the nettles and brambles and scramble through the broken fence and enter the structure through what must have been a regular doorway at one time. Inside the tower is fairly clear of shrubbery though huge ivy roots trail through the old arrow slits feeding the ivy adorning the external walls. It is still evident from these slits and the castellations that can be seen from inside that the tower was constructed for defense.

Display windows facing North

Its use clearly changed over the years and while there must have been an internal court-yard with wide passageways spanned by high arches, more modern structures of wide arched windows facing out to the water-side are evident. Though earth has built up on both sides suggesting these might have been doorways, other access points are much lower. These must be a relatively modern feature being very close to where the lake would have reached.

Multiple floor joist holes and arrow slits

 In the mid-twentieth century, a major lowering in water levels was engineered. The waters of the lake then receded from the building though for much of the north-facing shoreline, the old coast is quite evident with a distinct, almost sheer drop in land levels from the old to the new reclaimed land. A boundary line of young oak trees also follows the old shore-line.


 This part of the building suggests the different levels; the bottom doorway leading out to the ancient water line, supporting holes for joists supporting a floor with arrow slit windows and at least one floor above that. Parts of the structure have survived amazingly well including several oak lintels above doors and windows, metal supporting spikes and even some plastered batten, possibly contemporary with brick work in various parts.

There are other structures elsewhere on the peninsula including a ruined chapel with graveyard and tombs, a viewpoint or tower-base at the eastern point, an ice house and possibly contemporary quays or landing stages on the south shore.