NEWS, EVENTS & COURSES
ENNISCOE HOUSE
This year Enniscoe House will open on 1st April 2010, and will
stay open until 31st October 2010. From 1st November to 15th December
we will be happy to accommodate small groups (four or more) at weekends.
We will be open again over New Year and into early January 2011
for group bookings. As usual the self catering apartments will be
open all year
GEORGINA CAMPBELL AWARD FOR ENNISCOE HOUSE
“THE FOOD EXTRA AWARD 2008” was awarded to Enniscoe
House by the prestigious Georgina Campbell Guides. The award is
for good food presented in “a relaxing and enriching”
atmosphere. We were particularly pleased to have received it as
we think it recognizes what we have been striving to accomplish
over the years here at Enniscoe.
ENNISCOE GARDENS
The ornamental garden in its present layout dates back to the
late 19th century. It has been restored with the support of FAS,
Meitheal Mayo, and The Great Gardens of Ireland Restoration Programme.
It was officially declared open by Dr James McDaid, T.D. then Minister
for Tourism, Sport, and Recreation, in October 1999. It is hard
to believe that is over ten years ago.Joy Madden continues to look
after the gardens. Last year we were fortunate to have Jeremy Emmet-Booth
here for ten weeks in the spring and early summer. Jeremy is completing
a degree in Organic Agricultural Science at Cirencestor and worked
in both gardens as one of his practical work placements. He worked
hard and encouraged us all with his enthusiasm. The garden suffered
from the heavy rainfall later in the summer, the dahlias in particular
never seemed entirely happy, but in general the garden held its
own all summer, and we were pleased with the new plantings in the
spring garden area. The palm tree Trachycarpus Fortunei, continues
to amaze us. It was planted in the centre of the lawn, probably
before 1910, and was blown down in a storm while we were working
to restore the garden. We were reluctant to cut it up, so we laid
the trunk down in the old glass house ruins. Six years later it
continues to put out fresh leaves each spring, and supports a collection
of ferns growing on the old and very dead looking trunk.
Work in the organic vegetable garden continues, and the new poly
tunnel was put to good use again. This tunnel has been set up as
a teaching area with good access for wheelchair users as we plan
to run more courses for disabled groups. And the supply of fruits
and vegetables to the house kept going right to the end of our season.
At present the potatoes and onions are being planted, the vegetable
and herb seeds are set and new fruit cages have been built for the
soft fruits.
Access to the gardens and pleasure grounds is available to Enniscoe
guests at any time without charge. There is a separate entrance
for day visitors through the Heritage Centre.
ENNISCOE WOODLANDS and Lakeside Walks
Work on opening up more paths continues through the woodlands in
the Native Woodland Programme. Crossmolina Community Council is
working with us on up- grading the paths and small bridges and has
put up the directional signs. The walk officially starts from the
Heritage Centre car park and there is now a large sign board with
a detailed map of the walk at the entrance. We have brought in a
kiln and are now making charcoal, a great way of clearing up timber
and branches lying in the undergrowth. We have Enniscoe charcoal
for sale for those summer barbeques! It is now possible to walk
a circuit of the estate from the Heritage Centre to the lake, through
woodlands and old paths and back the Heritage Centre, a good stop
for coffee on the garden terrace.
Last autumn there was a big programme cutting down and selling
the Sitka Spruce plantations that were planted in the 1960’s.
It rained for the whole month of October (or so it seemed!) and
there was a serious sea of mud everywhere. We are still clearing
up and getting ready to replant, but the work has opened up new
views and new areas for paths.
Cloonamoyne Fishery
After 15 years as fishery manager at Enniscoe Barry Segrave
retired two years ago. He has totally disappeared from the scene
as he is continuing to live in his house in the courtyard and will
be on hand to greet old friends. However he has handed on the lodge,
harbour and boats to Gary Crossley who is looking after all fishing
arrangements for guests to Enniscoe House, and also for guests coming
in by the day. Gary Crossley has been staying at Enniscoe and fishing
on Lough Conn for many years and knows the area well. Barry rates
his fishing skills and knowledge highly and is pleased to be leaving
Cloonamoyne Fishery in good hands. You can contact Gary by email
at gary@cloonamoynefishery.com
or visit his web site at http://www.cloonamoynefishery.com/
The Mayo North Heritage Centre
Mayo North Heritage Centre is situated in one of the old farm yards
behind the main house and walled garden. The centre runs a small
museum, tea room, and shop, and is open from 1st April to 31st October.
The family history unit is part of the national network of genealogy
centres set up by the Irish Family History Foundation. This centre
covers the northern half of county Mayo and is open all year round.
To contact it directly see our links page. Two years ago an exciting
new project was started as we have gone into partnership with Mayo
County Library to get many of the records we hold onto a “pay
per view” web site. This web site can be accessed at www.maycoco.ie
(the library section)
Mayo North Old Engine and Tractor Club
The club held another successful Heritage day last July and are
already planning a yet bigger and better show for this year, This
is now an annual event and takes place around the Heritage Centre,
yards, garden, and the fields around the house. There are standing
engines and tractors of course, but also vintage cars, motor cycles,
a steam engine and an old fashioned thrashing machine (thrashing
oats specially grown here) craft demonstrations and much more. Each
year the Tractor Club add another “Large Attraction”,
in 2006 it was The Thatched Cottage (fully furnished, with donkey
and turf stack outside!) In 2007 it was The Old Post Office and
Shop. For 2008 it really was a big one as the club had been given
the old Bog Train from the local power station (which has been closed
down). The train has been restored, two carriages built, and tracks
laid down. It runs successfully all day at the show and for some
other special occasions during the year. It will be out again this
July. See their web site at www.mayovintage.org
Blacksmithing and Gardening courses
There will be courses running from April onwards. For further information
contact Carol Williams at the Heritage Centre. Telephone 00 353
96 31809
Email: normayo@iol.ie
We look forward to seeing some of you back at Enniscoe in 2010,
and to welcoming many new visitors. See our special offers and join
us for the Easter Egg hunt through the Enniscoe woods. Our yellow
Labrador, Frodo, (son of Strider, sadly no longer with us) is ready
and waiting to escort you on walks if you would like his company.
Frodo now has a companion, a golden Labrador called Connie. She
is not related to him, but comes from a good line of working dogs.
She now considers herself fully grown up and very much part of the
establishment.
Susan and Dj
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