Florence Court — Land & Legacy

About this place

Florence Court stands eight miles south-west of Enniskillen in County Fermanagh, its façade rising three storeys above the foothills of Cuilcagh Mountain.

The house dates from the 18th century and is built around a long central block with curved colonnades linking it to flanking pavilions, a design that gives it a theatrical width when seen from the drive.

It shares its architectural pedigree with nearby Castle Coole, the two houses often mentioned in the same breath.

The National Trust has cared for Florence Court since the mid-20th century, and the surrounding estate offers walking routes into the Cuilcagh hills.

Read more on Wikipedia

History

The estate was built by the Cole family through the 18th century and takes its name from Florence Bourchier Wrey, wife of John Cole, the original builder. It sits alongside Castle Coole as one of two great National Trust houses in Fermanagh, with the Trust's Crom Estate also in the county. A serious fire in 1955 damaged much of the interior, and later restoration work brought the rooms back to something close to their original appearance.

Architecture

The main block is joined to two flanking pavilions by curved, colonnaded screens, a Palladian arrangement that was fashionable in Irish country house design through the 18th century.

Worth knowing

Florence Court is considered the sister house to Castle Coole, and together they represent two of the finest examples of 18th-century architecture in Northern Ireland.

Gardens & grounds

The walled garden and wider estate grounds lead out into woodland and hill paths towards Cuilcagh Mountain.

Facilities

Cycle parking

Plan your visit

Prices Opening times Official site Google Maps Waze

Open year-round; check official National Trust website for seasonal hours and admission charges.

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