Belle Isle Estate in Fermanagh on the market for £7.5million

Belle Isle Estate.

Set on the banks of Upper Lough Erne on the outskirts of Lisbellaw, Co. Fermanagh, the estate – which features a 17th Century castle – extends to about 448 acres (181 hectares) in total, with about 239 acres of pasture land, around 178 acres of woodland, including ancient woods of mixed species.

A key feature of the estate is the extent of water frontage (about 6.5 miles in total) which includes four private islands, a sizeable jetty for a boat, and planning permission to construct an additional private jetty.

Belle Isle Estate.

The estate is being sold by the property agent, Savills. A guide provided by the agent outlines how Belle Isle Estate is “steeped in rich history”.

It explains: “Dating back to before the 15th Century, Belle Isle Estate is where one of the most important historical articles of Medieval Ireland was written, the Annals of Ulster.

Belle Isle Estate.

Belle Isle Estate.

“This document included the short entries in chronological order of key people and events in Irish history from the Fifth to the Sixteenth Century.

“The Annals of Ulster were compiled by Cathal Og MacManus, Irish historian and chief of the MacManus clan, with this important manuscript remaining on the estate from circa 1632-1636.”

“The Annals of Ulster were compiled by Cathal Og MacManus, Irish historian and chief of the MacManus clan, with this important manuscript remaining on the estate from circa 1632-1636.”

Belle Isle Estate.

The guide explains that the MacManus clan were the earliest owners and occupiers of Belle Isle.

“The MacManus family had settled here from the Middle Ages and this is where the original name for the estate, ‘Ballymacmanus’, originates.

Belle Isle Estate.

“The MacManus family had settled here from the Middle Ages and this is where the original name for the estate, ‘Ballymacmanus’, originates.

Belle Isle Estate.

“The Flight of the Earls in 1607 allowed for the transfer of ownership to Paul Gore, as James I declared the estates of the refugee Earls forfeit.

“Paul Gore, who had travelled to Ireland in circa 1598 as an Elizabethan soldier of fortune, was granted 1,000 acres in County Fermanagh, including the island of Ballymacmanus, the future Belle Isle.”

Belle Isle Estate.

According to the guide, Belle Isle Estate, as it is known today, first began solely as a private house which was renamed as Belle Isle and inhabited by Sir Ralph Gore, 4th Baronet around 1700, after his father had passed on possession.

“Sir Ralph Gore’s son, also named Sir Ralph Gore, was born in circa 1725 and is chiefly remembered for building Belle Isle Castle and significantly expanding the estate.

“With the assistance of Thomas Wright, he is remembered for overseeing the construction of the cottages, the tower, and the exquisite garden.

“When Sir Ralph Gore, 6th Bt, 1st and last Earl of Ross and Viscount Belleisle, died in circa 1801, the ownership of Belle Isle Estate was passed on to Lady Mary Hardinge, his only surviving child.

“Lady Hardinge left the estate to her nephew, The Rev. Sir Charles Hardinge, who in turn sold it to The Rev. John Grey Porter of Kilskeery.

“His son, another John Porter, took up residence in Belle Isle at some point between 1839 and 1856, where he resided until his death in circa 1903.”

Belle Isle Estate.

During this time, John Porter renovated the house twice and is responsible for the erection of a new stable court.

Belle Isle and its surrounding land was further renovated by his nephew and heir, John Porter-Porter.

The current form of the building, with its tower and gabled gallery extension, are accredited to the London-based architect, Richard Morley Horder, who was employed by John Porter-Porter.

The last owner of Belle Isle from the Porter line was Miss Lavinia Baird, outlined the guide.

Belle Isle Estate.

In October, 1991, Miss Baird sold the estate to the Duke of Abercorn, marking the beginning of a new chapter for Belle Isle Estate.

Stewardship

“Under the Duke’s stewardship, an extensive plan of renovation and conversion works began on the property, initially starting with the flagship project in 1992 on the Hamilton Wing.

“Further works were carried out in 1995, with the renovation of the Coach House. In 1997, the Victorian farmyard was converted into the Courtyard apartments for short-term holiday rentals.

“The conversions were designed by the renowned Fermanagh architect, Richard Pierce, with the redecoration overseen by the celebrated interior designer David Hicks.”

In 2004, further additional amenities were added to the estate, including the establishment of the Belle Isle School of Cookery – a first of its kind in Northern Ireland.

A more recent programme of refurbishment of the castle was undertaken in 2017.