parkes castle

Picturesquely situated on the Sligo-Dromahair road beside Lough Gill, this is a castle built by one of the 'Planters' early in the 17th century. The castle is rectangular in shape, and has three storeys with mullioned windows and diamond-shaped chimneys. It forms part of one side of a five-sided bawn with large rounded turrets at two corners.

The entrance to the bawn is through a passage-way in the ground floor of the house. The castle has undergone extensive restoration, both within the castle and the buildings lead on to the courtyard, which include a smithy - and a tea room.

Follow signs for Lough Gill from Sligo. From Dromahair take the R289.