The best walks and hikes around Stralongford

Head South down the lane to find Necarne Castle. Also known as Castle Irvine, Necarne Castle was built in the 17th century as part of the plantation of Ulster. In 1831, Irish novelist and playwright John B. Keane designed the beautiful two-storey facade which gives the castle its Victorian image. The castle passed through the hands of various owners before being requisitioned by the United Stats army in 1941. It functioned as a military hospital during the Second World War before falling into ruin. Over the last decades, the castle was used by Enniskillen Agricultural College. However, it now stands empty once again and is up for sale. You can't visit the interior of the castle, but you can freely visit the lovely parklands and admire the building from afar.

Beautiful views over Lough Erne toward Tom's Island. Tom's Island is actually no longer an island, but once was before the lough was lowered.

Old Castle Archdale is situated on Castle Hill within a 520 hectare coniferous and mixed broadleaved forest. The castle was built in the 1600s and was the main castle on this former estate before its successor took it's place in the 1800s, Castle Archdale.

Old Castle Archdale sits on a forest clifftop. It is named 'old' to distinguish it from its successor, the 18th century Castle Archdale. The castle was built by an Englishman from Suffolk who had been granted the estate in 1612 after paying 5 pounds, 6 shillings and 8 pence for the 1000 acres of land. During the Irish Rebellion of 1641 the castle was captured by Rory Maguire as part of the uprising to retake his lands that had been lost in 1607. The heir to the castle was saved by his nurse however the other children were killed. After the castle was returned to the family it was repaired and lived in until 1689. The castle saw its end during the Williamite Wars when the castle was burnt out and abandoned.

The route is only for walking, not much sightseeing, very interesting horse farm. Free parking.

Also known as Castle Irvine, Necarne Castle was built in the 17th century as part of the plantation of Ulster. In 1831, Irish novelist and playwright John B. Keane designed the beautiful two-storey facade which gives the castle its Victorian image. The castle passed through the hands of various owners before being requisitioned by the United Stats army in 1941. It functioned as a military hospital during the Second World War before falling into ruin. Over the last decades, the castle was used by Enniskillen Agricultural College. However, it now stands empty once again and is up for sale. You can't visit the interior of the castle, but you can freely visit the lovely parklands and admire the building from afar.

Perched atop a cliff and surrounded by thick forest, it's easy to imagine how life would have been hundreds of years ago as you wander the crumbling walls of Old Castle Archdale. Built in 1615 by Englishman John Archdale, the castle was captured by the Irish in the Irish Rebellion of 1641. The castle was inhabited until 1689, when it was destroyed by fire and abandoned.

The Necarne Castle equestrian park includes 200 acres of mixed use land. The walk through these woods features good gravel trails with low grades in a boggy woodland. Continuing will take you through pasture to the castle itself.