Castle Archdale
Castle ArchdaleinCounty Fermanagh,Northern Irelandis a former estate on the shores of Lough Erne Lower, the key feature of which today is Castle Archdale Country Park. There is also a caravan park. The former estate is situated near Lisnarick andIrvinestown,in the broader hinterland ofEnniskillen,and the park is owned and run by theNorthern Ireland Environment Agency.
History
The park was once an estate owned by the Archdale family, who arrived in 1614 during thePlantation of Ulster.The castle was built in 1615 by John Archdale (died 1621), aPlantationundertaker fromNorfolk.The castle was built on a T-plan with a defensive bawn 66 ft by 64 ft and 15 ft high with flankers at each corner. He was succeeded by his son, Edward.[1]The castle was destroyed for the first time byRory Maguireduring theIrish Rebellion of 1641.It was destroyed again in 1689, during theWilliamite wars.The ruins of the old castle itself are situated in the old area of the park.
In 1773 a mansion was built approximately 1 mile south west of the original castle ruins. During World War II it was requisitioned as the wartime headquarters for RAF Castle Archdale. The manor fell out of use after the war, and was finally demolished in 1970.[2]All that now remains is a huge cobbled courtyard surrounded by white outbuildings, housing an information centre and tearooms.
World War II
 | This sectionneeds additional citations forverification.(May 2023) |
DuringWorld War II,RAF Castle Archdalehoused up to 2,500 people and was a major base forflying boats.PBY CatalinasandShort Sunderlandsflew from Castle Archdale to protectAtlanticshipping from GermanU-boats.Today's caravan site sits on the concrete maintenance area where aircraft were serviced, and a museum in the park holds exhibits from the World War II period.
Although Ireland maintained neutrality in World War II, a secret agreement betweenEamon de Valeraand the United Kingdom government allowed aircraft from RAF Castle Archdale to use theDonegal Corridor.This short strip of airspace over Ireland allowed aircraft to fly directly to the Atlantic, fromBelleekin Northern Ireland viaBallyshannonin Ireland. This avoided a long detour north towards Derry, and then west into the Atlantic, and extended the range of protection that the Castle Archdale aircraft could offer to the Atlantic convoys.[3]
In May 1941, two Catalinas from Castle Archdale were instrumental in the sinking of the German battleshipBismarck.They spotted the damaged warship in the Atlantic, while it was attempting to return to Brest in France for repairs, after having been damaged by torpedo attack by aircraft fromHMS Victorious.This allowedFairey Swordfishaircraft fromHMS Ark Royalto further attack with torpedos, causing fatal damage to Bismarck.
Transport
- There is a ferry toWhite Islandwhich leaves from Castle Archdale marina.
- Castle Archdale private railway station opened on 13 June 1866, but finally closed on 3 July 1950.[4]
Sport
A range of water and land based activities are available from a commercial outlet located in the marina car park.
References
- ^"Castle Archdale"(PDF).The Plantation of Ulster:The Story of Co Fermanagh.Retrieved19 April2015.
- ^ewnbl7tt4kgfND (3 August 2021)."Memories of Castle Archdale – Written by Lord Belmont".Castle Archdale.Retrieved30 April2023.
{{cite web}}:CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link) - ^"The Donegal Corridor, A Contradiction of Irish Neutrality during WWII | Donegal Diaspora".www.donegaldiaspora.ie.Retrieved30 April2023.
- ^"Castle Archdale Private station"(PDF).Railscot - Irish Railways.Retrieved15 September2007.
Links
- Northern Ireland coast and countryside
- Northern Ireland Environment Agency properties
- Nature reserves in Northern Ireland
- Protected areas of County Fermanagh
- Museums in County Fermanagh
- World War II museums in the United Kingdom
- Military and war museums in Northern Ireland
- Register of Parks, Gardens and Demesnes of Special Historic Interest
- State Care Monuments of Northern Ireland