Enniscrone and its hinterland are steeped in history, heritage and culture. Come and experience for yourself its many ruins, stone formations, quirky buildings, myths and legends.
Here are just a few to get you started!
Castles and clans
First references to Enniscrone were recorded as far back as the 11th century while the town as it is today originated in the 1840s. In its early days this area of Sligo was ruled by the O’Dowds (Gaelic: O’Dubhda) – a powerful sea-faring clan.
The O’Dubhda chieftains were responsible for erecting the original stone building on what became the site of Enniscrone Castle. In 1512, amidst the usual skirmishing and shenanigans that happened between neighbouring clans of the time the O’Donnells of Tir Chonaill destroyed the castle after they managed to roust the Bourkes of Tyrawley from hiding in it.
Enniscrone Castle, also known as Nolan`s Castle, in its present state represents the ruins of an early 17th Century fortified house (this is the third building to have graced this site). The western towers have remained intact however two other towers have been destroyed since the last century.
Ancient history
For those interested in archaeology there are many remains dating from much further back including passage tombs, ring forts and stone formations. In Castle Field, the site of Enniscrone Castle, at least two megalithic tombs remain which are thought to be from 5500BC. There is also a ring fort on this site from between 500 and 1000 AD.
Seaweed baths – old and new
The building which originally housed the Cliff Baths was built in 1850 and still remains perched on the rocks at the northern end of Enniscrone Beach. Today the ‘new’ baths, Kilcullen’s Bath House, have been operating for over a century since opening its doors in 1912.
Ironically it is that ‘modern’ building which now gives the Bath House its quaint Edwardian charm, a time capsule to remind the bathers of the simple elegance of a bygone age. The beautiful Edwardian fittings comprising the original enormous glazed porcelain baths, solid brass taps and panelled wooden shower cisterns are unique and must be experienced.
Ancient history
For those interested in archaeology there are many remains dating from much further back including passage tombs, ring forts and stone formations. In Castle Field, the site of Enniscrone Castle, at least two megalithic tombs remain which are thought to be from 5500BC. There is also a ring fort on this site from between 500 and 1000 AD.
Seaweed baths – old and new
The building which originally housed the Cliff Baths was built in 1850 and still remains perched on the rocks at the northern end of Enniscrone Beach. Today the ‘new’ baths, Kilcullen’s Bath House, have been operating for over a century since opening its doors in 1912.
Ironically it is that ‘modern’ building which now gives the Bath House its quaint Edwardian charm, a time capsule to remind the bathers of the simple elegance of a bygone age. The beautiful Edwardian fittings comprising the original enormous glazed porcelain baths, solid brass taps and panelled wooden shower cisterns are unique and must be experienced.
A rock and a pig – myth and legend
Across the road from the Diamond Coast Hotel in Enniscrone is a large statue of the Black Pig of Muckduff. Legend has it that this spot marks the site where a wild boar possessing magical powers was run to ground and slain by the local people when it rampaged through the area all the way from south Donegal.
In a field in Killanduff near neighbouring Easkey lies Fionn’s Stone or the Split Rock as it is commonly called. The story goes that it was split in two by the sword of an angry giant as he battled another equally angry giant. Neither of them could manage to throw the rock at each other so instead it was sliced in two. Should you decide to walk through the split in the rock three times you will meet your doom, so it may be best just to look!
Churches aplenty
If churches of the past and present are of interest to you then Enniscrone has several fine examples from the distant and the not-so-distant past.
The Church of the Assumption built in 1892 was the Catholic church in use up to 1965 when the present church was built. It was originally a schoolhouse.
Valentine’s Church, whose ruins can be seen near those of Enniscrone Castle, is named after the Church of Ireland Rector who officiated there for 53 years in the eighteenth century and is credited with re-building it from an earlier incarnation. It was eventually damaged in the United Irishmen Rebellion in 1798 and fell out of use at that time.
The parishioners of the Church of Ireland would then have had to wait to attend Killanley Parish Church at Castleconnor. This church was built in 1818 on a site given by Edward Wingfield, a local landowner. It is unusual for a Church of Ireland church in that there is a cross on the top of the spire – something which is rumoured to have angered Colonel Wingfield when he saw it completed!
