A beautifully restored fortified manor house on the northern shore of Lough Gill, built from the stones of a Gaelic chieftain's tower house and steeped in O'Rourke and Plantation history.
Take the 45-minute guided tour — guides are enthusiastic and knowledgeable. You'll see the Parke family's living quarters, the banqueting hall with its Irish oak roof, and a scale model of the restoration. Self-guided leaflets are also available.
The courtyard cobbles conceal the excavated foundations of the original 15th-century O'Rourke tower house — visible through a glass floor panel. You'll also see a traditional thatched blacksmith's forge and a covered well.
Admire the three-storey gatehouse with its elegant arched entrance, then walk the bawn walls with their musket loops and dovecoates. The north-west pigeon tower offers great views over the lake.
Don't miss the exquisite left-handed spiral staircase — hand-crafted from Irish oak during the restoration, with the centre post shaped from the core of a single oak tree.
Every Wednesday from 1 July 2026, the Rose of Innisfree departs Doorly Park Jetty in Sligo at 10:30am for a scenic cruise across Lough Gill to the castle. Includes a guided tour at 11:30am, returning to Sligo by 1:30pm. Book via 087 259 8869 or roseofinnisfree.com.
Watch the short film 'Stone by Stone' which introduces the history and heritage of the North West region. Available in four languages.
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