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Enniscoe House
Castlehill
Ballina
Co. Mayo
Ireland
T: +353 96 31112
F: +353 96 31773

     
Hidden Ireland

  
Ireland's Blue Book

NEWS, EVENTS & COURSES

ENNISCOE HOUSE

This year we will not be open for Easter, which is in late March, as we are busy finishing up various small projects in time for the season. We will open on 1st of April and will remain open until 31st October.

We will be open again over New Year and into early January 2009 for group bookings. As usual the self catering apartments will be open all year.

This winter we have been repainting and putting down new stair carpets in the older part of the house, and have also done a little more refurbishment in the sitting room and front bedrooms. We are still working on repairs to the old windows, which have glass dating from the 1790's.We think that we have found a way to do this without damage to the fabric, which also will eliminate drafts and rattles. We look forward to this!

GEORGINA CAMPBELL AWARD FOR ENNISCOE HOUSE

"THE FOOD EXTRA AWARD 2008" has been awarded to Enniscoe House by the prestigious Georgina Campbell Guides. This has been sponsored by Failte Ireland. The award is for good food presented in "a relaxing and enriching" atmosphere. We are particularly pleased to receive 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.

Joy Madden continues to look after the gardens. She was joined for the summer months by her two sons, Nigel and Jeffrey, and between them they kept the garden looking good throughout the season. Sadly the Paeonia delavayi (the tree peony) one of the original garden plants, succumbed to a root fungus the year before. However young plants had been propagated from seed and they are coming on well in other parts of the garden. The new section of rockery, which was Aishling’s project in 2006, looks as though it was always there, and is filling up nicely.

Work in the organic vegetable garden continues, and a new poly tunnel went up last year. 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.

Access to the gardens and pleasure grounds is available to Enniscoe guests at any time without charge. There is a separate entrance for the public through the Heritage Centre.

ENNISCOE WOODLANDS and Lakeside Walks

Work on opening up more paths continues through the woodlands in the Native Woodland Programme. We have brought in a kiln and are now starting to make charcoal, a great way of clearing up timber and branches lying in the undergrowth. We hope to 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.

Cloonamoyne Fishery
After 15 years as fishery manager at Enniscoe Barry Segrave has decided to retire. He is not totally disappearing 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 will be 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 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 will be 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. Last year 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 on another “Large Attraction”, in 2006 it was The Thatched Cottage (fully furnished, and a donkey!), in 2007 it was The Old Post Office and Shop, 2008 it really is a big one. They have managed to acquire the old Bog Train from the local power station (which has been closed down). They are planning to lay down tracks and have the train running for all to enjoy! 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 2008, and to welcoming many new visitors. 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.

Susan and DJ