Belleek Fort

Belleek Fort, locally also known as The Battery, lies on a hill on the shore of the river Erne, east of the town of Ballyshannon, in County Donegal, in Ireland. It overlooks the village of Belleek on the opposite shore, in County Fermanagh, in Northern Ireland.

The first fortification on the hill overlooking an important crossing point over the river Erne, was built in 1211 by Gilbert de Costella. It was a wooden structure and it was destroyed by fire in an attack in 1212. Forty years later the Normans built a replacement fort but it was destroyed by the O'Donnells about 1252.

Belleek Fort was built about 1790 by the English General Lake. It was built in a pentagonal shape and was known as The Belleek Redoubt. At the same time the old wooden bridge below the fort was replaced by a new stone bridge which had iron gates at both ends which were manned by yeomen from the fort. This old stone high arched bridge was replaced by the present bridge in 1955.

Belleek Fort was occupied by English regiments until the establishment of the border in the early 1920s. It was then handed over to the Irish Free State military in 1924. The fort was demolished about 1966 when it came into private ownership.

When I visited I saw old signs that showed that the fort had served as a B&B guest house some years back. It seemed that at present a lot of rebuilding was taking place. I guess that the fort is still private property. It can not be visited. The village of Belleek is also known because of its pottery.

I know this isn't a castle but I liked the location.

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