Necarne Castle and Estate RMG23
HOPES are high new life could soon be breathed into one of Fermanagh’s most beautiful and historic estates.
Fermanagh and Omagh District Council last week opened expressions of interest for the Necarne Estate in Irvinestown which, while popular with local walkers, has been sitting vacant for over four years now. The aim is to attract entrepreneurs or investors to develop the facilities and attract visitors to the area.
“The Council wishes the Necarne Estate to act as an economic driver for Irvinestown and Fermanagh and Omagh District,” a report put before a Regeneration and Community Committee Meeting last year stated. Expressions of interest tenders for the future operation and management of the estate were advertised last week.
The report describes Necarne as “a unique historic estate within an internationally renowned lakeland, tourism and leisure destination” and states those who take over its running and maintenance should “provide a high standard quality service to satisfy the needs and requirements of users.”
Situated on almost 230 acres of grassland and woodland, with its Grade B-listed 17th-century Tudor castle, the estate includes a gatelodge and two-storey garden house, residential accommodation with 16 rooms, an indoor arena with 300-seater viewing gallery and catering facilities, cross-country, steeple chase and point-to-point courses, and a range of other out buildings.
The Council owns the estate, but it is leased to the Department of Agriculture and Rural Development (DARD) on a 25-year lease, which does not include the historic castle, which is in need of restoration. The CAFRE agricultural college had been using the estate, however the Enniskillen-based college no longer need its facilities and has not used it now for four years.
Over £4 million was previously invested in Necarne to create the Ulster Lakeland Equestrian Park, billed as one of Europe’s finest equestrian centres, boasting an indoor arena, generous stables, 500 acres of land for riding, bar and catering facilities, visitor accommodation and an all weather dressage and jumping arena.
MLA Rosemary Barton said: “With Fermanagh and Omagh District Council looking for expressions of interest for leasing Necarne Estate, I do believe with the right entrepreneur Necarne could once again be resurrected as an events venue, and further with help from perhaps NIEA for remedial work some effort could be made to restore the castle, as it had such an important role in the history of the Irvinestown and the north Fermanagh area.”
The former councillor added locals should also be considered in any plans: “Some accommodation could also be sought in relation to retaining it as a leisure / exercise area for the people of Irvinestown who over the years have enjoyed country walks with their dogs.”
For more information and documentation, visit www.fermanaghomagh.com or email tenders@fermanaghomagh.com. Completed submissions must be returned no later than 12 noon on Friday, August 26.
The Council would not comment on the level of interest so far until the closing date for tenders had passed.
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