Days Out NI
Animals & Farms Irvinestown

Castle Irvine (Necarne) Equestrian Centre

A free 230-acre estate to roam, with woodland trails, a walled garden and horses next door.

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OpenGrounds open daily, sunrise to sunset, al…
EntryFree
IrvinestownAnimals
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2 hoursHow long
All agesBest for
Indoor + OutBarns & fields
FreeParking
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Castle Irvine (Necarne) Equestrian Centre — A free 230-acre estate to roam, with woodland trails, a walled garden and horses next door.

  • What you’ll see: Woodland trails, a 2.8-acre walled garden, a classical stone bridge, a Gothic castle ruin (fenced off) and horses on equestrian event days.
  • Cost: Free to walk the grounds; equestrian facilities are booked separately by riders.
  • Best for: All ages; toddlers in buggies through to older kids who like space and horses.
  • Food: None on site. Irvinestown village (about 1 km away) has cafés and shops; bring a picnic.
  • Opening: Grounds open daily, sunrise to sunset, all year. Event days may be busier.
  • Dogs: Welcome on a lead. It is a working horse estate, so keep dogs under close control.
Plan your visit

Horses, woodland and a castle to explore

This is one of Ulster's busiest equestrian venues, named SJI Ulster Region Venue of the Year 2025, with a huge outdoor walled-garden arena and an indoor arena. On show, dressage or Pony Club camp days you'll often see horses being worked, which kids love watching from a safe distance. The rest of the estate is yours to wander: the 1-mile castle circuit suits little legs, while longer woodland loops run through ancient trees and past streams. The 19th-century castle itself is boarded up and fenced off for safety, but it still makes a brilliant backdrop for photos and stories.

Free entry Free parking Woodland trails Gothic castle ruin Dogs on leads Working horse centre
Good to know before you go:

Many farms are seasonal and busiest in spring lambing and the school holidays, so it’s worth checking opening times before you travel. These are working livestock farms, so pet dogs usually aren’t allowed (assistance dogs excepted), and a few take cash only — so bring a little with you.

Before you set off

What to bring

  • 👢Wellies or sturdy shoesFarmyards and paddocks get muddy, especially after rain.
  • 🥪Snacks or a picnicThere’s usually a café, but little ones get peckish between the animals.
  • 📷A cameraBottle-feeding a lamb and the pedal-tractor grins are worth keeping.
  • 💷A bit of cashSome farms are cash only, and animal-feed cups are pocket-money priced.
Good to know

Everything before you go

Cost
Free to walk the grounds; equestrian facilities are booked separately by riders.
Opening / season
Grounds open daily, sunrise to sunset, all year. Event days may be busier.
Best for ages
All ages; toddlers in buggies through to older kids who like space and horses.
What you'll see
Woodland trails, a 2.8-acre walled garden, a classical stone bridge, a Gothic castle ruin (fenced off) and horses on equestrian event days.
Food
None on site. Irvinestown village (about 1 km away) has cafés and shops; bring a picnic.
Toilets
No public toilets confirmed on site; use facilities in Irvinestown before you go.
Parking
Free on-site parking.
Dogs
Welcome on a lead. It is a working horse estate, so keep dogs under close control.
Accessibility
Main pathways are level and wheelchair- and buggy-friendly; woodland trails are uneven.
How long to allow
1 to 2 hours, longer with a picnic.
Address
Castle Irvine Estate, Castle Street, Irvinestown, Co. Fermanagh, BT94 1GG
Questions

Before you go

How much does it cost?
Free to walk the grounds; equestrian facilities are booked separately by riders.
What ages is it good for?
All ages; toddlers in buggies through to older kids who like space and horses.
When is it open?
Grounds open daily, sunrise to sunset, all year. Event days may be busier.
Can we bring the dog?
Welcome on a lead. It is a working horse estate, so keep dogs under close control.
Is there anywhere to eat?
None on site. Irvinestown village (about 1 km away) has cafés and shops; bring a picnic.
Getting there

Castle Irvine (Necarne) Equestrian Centre is at Castle Irvine Estate, Castle Street, Irvinestown, Co. Fermanagh, BT94 1GG. Free on-site parking. Tap below for directions.

Directions on Google MapsOfficial website See it on our map
Nearby

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The story

About Castle Irvine (Necarne) Equestrian Centre

Land here was granted to Scottish planter Gerard Lowther in the early 1600s, who built a fortified house and bawn wall. In 1629 Christopher Irvine took over, beginning nearly 300 years of the Irvine family's hold on the estate, which is why it carries both names, Castle Irvine and Necarne.

The Victorian Gothic castle you see today, with its pointed arches and battlements, was redesigned by architect John Benjamin Keane and completed around 1835. Later owner Captain Richard Outram Hermon added the classical stone bridge and the 2.8-acre walled garden in the 1920s. During World War II the US Navy ran it as the 28th Station Hospital.

Fermanagh District Council took ownership in 1981, and the grounds are now managed as a public estate and equestrian centre. The castle interior is boarded up for preservation, but the parkland, woodland and walled garden remain open for everyone to enjoy.