6. Castle Garden

This stretch of land on the water’s edge was not within the walls of the original castle. The area became enclosed within a perimeter wall when the site was transformed into a military barracks in the late 18^th century. Rather oddly, as we may see it now, a privy block or toilets had been built at the base of the Watergate by 1842. Indeed, the Watergate provided the main latrine for the military barracks.

The Commander’s Garden dates to some time between 1857 and 1879. The 1879 plan of the site clearly shows a garden between the perimeter wall and the magazine store. The garden had a central path.

The area then served as a 30 yards firing range from about 1893 until the 1950s. Constructing the rifle range entailed landscaping the area into banks and slopes to create a safe firing range.

Today, the Castle Garden sits right next to the iconic Watergate and overlooks the River Erne. It is a great spot to sit down on the picnic benches and take in the views of the river. The garden has been used for many weddings and outdoor events held at the Castle.