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Enjoy free entry to many of our special places on Saturday 9 September as part of the 2023 European Heritage Open Days. As a conservation charity, we play a huge role in the protection and preservation of coast, countryside, mansions and gardens in Northern Ireland.
We love how European Heritage Open Days help encourage more people to enjoy our rich and varied historic environment. Spending the day at one of our special places is the perfect way to uncover your local history and embark on a journey of cultural discovery. You’ll see what our wonderful conservation work achieves and hopefully be inspired to become a valued member.
Experience the stately grandeur of this stunning 18th-century mansion set in a beautiful wooded landscape park ideal for family walks. Castle Coole is one of the greatest Neo-classical country houses in Ireland. Built to impress in the 1790s, it boasted some of the finest architecture, interiors, and furnishings in the country. It was home to the Earls of Belmore and no expense was spared on this palace in its beautiful parkland setting. Join a guided tour to see the lavish rooms including the grand oval Saloon and the State Bedroom designed for the state visit of King George IV.
The informative guides will be able to tell you all about the various craftsmen who worked on the property during the 1790s as well as the generations of the Lowry-Corry family who have shaped the house and estate up to the current day. As part of the visit, you will go down to the basement, once occupied by a small army of servants, the extensive basement at Castle Coole is one of the most impressive that we care for, where you can explore a hidden underground world. Wander through the servants’ quarters to get a glimpse of what life here was like for the people who lived and worked at Castle Coole. On your tour you can visit the Wine Cellar, Servants’ Hall and the Kitchen.
