Castle Archdale Country Park is situated about 10 miles north west of Enniskillen and extends to cover 230 acres along the shores of Lower Lough Erne. The region is abundant in historical features, with many monastic sites such as Devenish and White Island. Castle Archdale is based on the demesne of the Archdale Manor House, which was built in 1773, of which now only the courtyard buildings remain.
Boats are available for hire for those wishing to explore the nearby islands, some of which are National Nature Reserves. Pony trekking and bicycle hire are also available.
Features within the Park include a red deer enclosure, wildfowl ponds, nature trail, butterfly garden and wildflower meadow. To make the most of your visit, be sure not to miss the Archdale Centre, which is in the corner of the main courtyard. Here you can see various exhibitions which will help you to understand our efforts to conserve this beautiful part of Fermanagh.
Evidence of the 1939-45 War can also be found throughout the park in flying-boat docks, ammunition dumps, Slit trenches, etc. This is because Lough Erne played an important role as the most westerly flying-boat station, from which aircraft protected the allied convoys from the U-Boat threat in the North Atlantic. Castle Archdale was the main base from which they flew and this is highlighted in an exhibition within the Centre entitled "Castle Archdale at War".