Belle Isle Estate, Castle & Cottages — Attraction in Fermanagh and Omagh District

From the very first moment we arrived at Belle Isle Castle and Estate, we knew we had found somewhere truly special, but even that initial sense of wonder did not prepare us for just how incredible our wedding experience would turn out to be. Now, reflecting on it all, it feels only fitting to share a heartfelt and detailed account of what was the most perfect few days of our lives.|||Setting the Scene: The Castle and Estate Grounds||Belle Isle Castle is not just a venue; it is an atmosphere, a mood, a world entirely its own. Set against the stunning backdrop of Lough Erne in County Fermanagh, the estate offers a fairytale-like setting that immediately casts a spell on you. As soon as we drove up the winding estate road and caught our first glimpse of the castle peeking through the trees, we were transported. The manicured lawns, the stone façade steeped in centuries of history, the stillness of the lake—every single element whispered timeless romance.||The grounds are meticulously kept, not a blade of grass out of place. Whether you are strolling the banks of the lake, taking in the views from the terrace, or exploring the surrounding woodlands and gardens, you feel enveloped by nature and history in equal measure. For us, Belle Isle was not just a venue to host a wedding; it became part of our love story, the kind of setting you imagine in films or classic novels.|||First Impressions and Planning||From the moment we first enquired, the team at Belle Isle demonstrated a level of professionalism and warmth that immediately set them apart. Planning a wedding can be daunting, with decisions to make, logistics to juggle, and the pressure of wanting everything to be perfect. But with Belle Isle, we felt entirely supported from the outset.||Our wedding coordinator, Amy, deserves special recognition. No detail was too small, no request too much trouble. She was calm, knowledgeable, endlessly patient, and always one step ahead. What could have been a stressful planning process became something we genuinely enjoyed, thanks to her guidance and the full support of the Belle Isle team.||Every single member of staff was exemplary, courteous, kind, efficient, and discreet. They gave us space when we needed it, stepped in the moment we did, and carried out every task with the grace and poise that made us feel like royalty. It was the kind of attentiveness that does not feel forced or performative—they truly cared.|||Accommodation and Hospitality||Belle Isle offers accommodation across the castle itself and a collection of charming cottages, and we had guests staying throughout the estate. The castle bedrooms are nothing short of majestic, with high ceilings, four poster beds, ornate furnishings, and views across the estate that take your breath away. Our own suite made us feel like we had stepped into a period drama, with all the modern comforts of course.||Guests in the cottages were equally impressed. Each cottage is beautifully appointed, with its own charm and character. The estate feels like its own little village—guests could explore, mingle, and settle in with ease. Every person who stayed with us commented on how peaceful, elegant, and comfortable the accommodation was.||Breakfasts were served in the Grand Hall each morning and were a lovely start to each day. From fresh continental options to hot meals, there was something for everyone, and it was always served with a smile. There is a kind of rhythm to Belle Isle hospitality—seamless, quiet, but ever present||The Wedding Day: Nothing Short of Perfect||It is difficult to put into words just how perfect our wedding day at Belle Isle truly was. The weather was on our side, so we were able to hold our ceremony on the Abercorn Terrace overlooking the water—a setting so picturesque it looked like something from a storybook.||The team had arranged everything down to the finest detail, from the flower arch to the placement of the chairs to the layout of the welcome drinks. We did not have to worry about a single thing. As the bridal party prepared in the castle’s beautiful suites, the staff ensured we had refreshments, calm, and privacy. Meanwhile, our guests were greeted warmly and directed with professionalism and grace.||Throughout the day, we were never once made to feel rushed. Every transition—from ceremony to drinks reception, from speeches to the meal, from first dance to late night celebration—flowed smoothly and naturally. That is a testament to the incredible organisation of the Belle Isle team.||The main wedding meal was provided by Horseshoe and Saddlers, and it was nothing short of phenomenal. From presentation to flavour, every dish was exceptional. Guests are still telling us how good the food was—locally sourced ingredients, cooked to perfection, and served piping hot and beautifully plated. Horseshoe and Saddlers went above and beyond, delivering a dining experience that would rival any five star restaurant.||Being Treated Like Lords and Ladies||We used that phrase, “like lords and ladies,” many times over the course of our stay, and for good reason. The entire ethos of Belle Isle seems centred on making each couple feel like their wedding is the most important event in the world.||It was not just about ticking boxes or following a schedule. It was about care, attention, and genuine thoughtfulness. The staff anticipated our needs before we voiced them. They ensured our families felt special. They went above and beyond at every turn. From offering to fetch forgotten items, to adjusting timings to suit the mood of the day, to quietly helping nervous relatives find their places, Belle Isle’s team operated with the kind of grace and ease you usually only find at five star hotels.||Our guests noticed it too. Many told us it was the best wedding they had ever attended, and that was in no small part thanks to the atmosphere created by the Belle Isle team.||The Venue’s Condition and Charm||Belle Isle Castle is pristine. This is not a venue that rests on its history; it honours its heritage while being immaculately maintained. The stonework, the gardens, the interiors—all of it is clean, polished, and tastefully decorated. There is no sense of wear or tiredness, only warmth and majesty.||The rooms were spotless, the furniture plush, and the common areas filled with character. Whether guests were mingling in the Grand Hall, relaxing in the Drawing Room, or sipping drinks under the ivy covered terraces, they were surrounded by beauty and comfort.||And yet, for all its grandeur, Belle Isle never feels pretentious or unapproachable. It feels lived in, loved, and welcoming. That balance between elegance and homeliness is incredibly rare, and Belle Isle nails it.||Aftercare and Farewell||Even after the main event was over, the staff continued to go above and beyond. From helping with checkouts to coordinating belongings, handling deliveries, and making sure guests got off smoothly, there was no sense of “now it is done.”||Our goodbyes felt genuine. Staff hugged us, wished us well, and left us feeling like we were leaving family behind. It was emotional—not just because our wedding was over, but because we did not want to leave a place that had made us feel so cared for.||Final Thoughts||We went into our wedding wanting a venue that would make the day special. What we got from Belle Isle was so much more. We got magic. We got serenity. We got timeless elegance. And most of all, we got a team who put their hearts into making us feel like the most important people in the world.||If you are reading this as a couple looking for a wedding venue, let us be clear: stop searching. Belle Isle Castle is everything you could possibly want and more. Whether it is the breathtaking beauty, the flawless service, the seamless organisation, or the incredible staff, it delivers on every front.||We have absolutely no faults to speak of. Not one. Every detail, every interaction, every element was perfect.||We left Belle Isle with full hearts, lifelong memories, and an overwhelming sense of gratitude. It is a place that will forever hold a piece of our story, and we cannot wait to return, even just as visitors, to the place where we were treated like royalty and married in the most perfect...

Belle Isle Castle is not just a venue; it is an atmosphere, a mood, a world entirely its own. As soon as we drove up the winding estate road and caught our first glimpse of the castle peeking through the trees, we were transported. The manicured lawns, the stone façade steeped in centuries of history, the stillness of the lake.

Whether you are strolling the banks of the lake, taking in the views from the terrace, or exploring the surrounding woodlands and gardens, you feel enveloped by nature and history in equal measure. For us, Belle Isle was not just a venue to host a wedding; it became part of our love story, the kind of setting you imagine in films or classic novels.

From the moment we first enquired, the team at Belle Isle demonstrated a level of professionalism and warmth that immediately set them apart.

Our wedding coordinator, Amy, deserves special recognition. No detail was too small, no request too much trouble. She was calm, knowledgeable, endlessly patient, and always one step ahead. What could have been a stressful planning process became something we genuinely enjoyed, thanks to her guidance and the full support of the Belle Isle team.

Belle Isle offers accommodation across the castle itself and a collection of charming cottages, and we had guests staying throughout the estate. The castle bedrooms are nothing short of majestic, with high ceilings, four poster beds, ornate furnishings, and views across the estate that take your breath away. Our own suite made us feel like we had stepped into a period drama.

Guests in the cottages were equally impressed. Each cottage is beautifully appointed, with its own charm and character. The estate feels like its own little village—guests could explore, mingle, and settle in with ease. Every person who stayed with us commented on how peaceful, elegant, and comfortable the accommodation was.

It is difficult to put into words just how perfect our wedding day at Belle Isle truly was. The weather was on our side, so we were able to hold our ceremony on the Abercorn Terrace overlooking the water—a setting so picturesque it looked like something from a storybook.

The team had arranged everything down to the finest detail, from the flower arch to the placement of the chairs to the layout of the welcome drinks. We did not have to worry about a single thing.

Throughout the day, we were never once made to feel rushed. Every transition—from ceremony to drinks reception, from speeches to the meal, from first dance to late night celebration—flowed smoothly and naturally. That is a testament to the incredible organisation of the Belle Isle team.

We used that phrase, “like lords and ladies,” many times over the course of our stay, and for good reason.

It was not just about ticking boxes or following a schedule. It was about care, attention, and genuine thoughtfulness. The staff anticipated our needs before we voiced them. They ensured our families felt special. They went above and beyond at every turn. From offering to fetch forgotten items, to adjusting timings to suit the mood of the day, to quietly helping nervous relatives find their places, Belle Isle’s team operated with the kind of grace and ease you usually only find at five star hotels.

Our guests noticed it too. Many told us it was the best wedding they had ever attended, and that was in no small part thanks to the atmosphere created by the Belle Isle team

The rooms were spotless, the furniture plush, and the common areas filled with character. Whether guests were mingling in the Grand Hall, relaxing in the Drawing Room, or sipping drinks under the ivy covered terraces, they were surrounded by beauty and comfort.

Even after the main event was over, the staff continued to go above and beyond. From helping with checkouts to coordinating belongings, handling deliveries, and making sure guests got off smoothly, there was no sense of “now it is done.”

If you are reading this as a couple looking for a wedding venue, let us be clear: stop searching. Belle Isle Castle is everything you could possibly...

When I booked my vow renewal at belle isle, I had done it over a zoom tour. There was a lot about the space I liked, and a lot that felt easy to adjust if the time was spent on it. We sent the deposit and started planning,. Every step of the way, every request I asked for was denied. From trying to have a ceremony later in the day, to moving dinner times around. No good reason ever given and when I asked for clarity or how much it would cost to resolve these issues, no clear answer was given. I had very much wanted to plan on having the evening meal outside- again this was denied. I can understand the weather but hoped there may be a way we could plan for both. No options there either.

Eventually, I high tailed over to belle Isle from los angeles and stayed the night at the cottages. To be fair, the cottages are actually very cute. The landscape and sunset are fabulous and we had a nice time there. We hoped being there we may be able to get more clarity on the agenda items listed above. Again, no. They suggested dinner spots that were local and we followed their guidance. The next day as we checked out, I told them we went to that dinner place and we'd had a nice time. Another attendant said "oh the bar next to that coffee shop we recommended is where you're getting your wedding dinner from"

This generated a lot of pause with me. Firstly, why wouldn't you recommend that place for dinner then? Why somewhere else? Secondly, this doesn't fall in line with what they'd said about no outside food vendors. So there was an outside food vendor, and I could have had the opportunity to taste it but wasn't fully informed- which I think is shady and a bit lazy business. I had been pretty annoying about wanting an ice cream van there- to which I was told no, right up until I threatened to pull out of the whole thing. Which again, just felt weird/bad. Because whats the big deal about that!

On the zoom call tour, there was light work being done out on the view of the lake and they were putting up a fence. Well, this fence was a shiny nickel that was actually pretty obstructive of the view. I was kind of amazed by it and said "hmm.." and they told me that photographers could "shoot around it." I felt so sad at this response. I am not there for the photos, i'm there for the experience. I asked that perhaps we could do the service on the other side of the fence so the view would be less obstructed and have more of an elopement/anti bride feel- to which they said "we're not insured for that but we can have you take photos there all you want!" which, look, i'm not expert in insurance but that just doesn't make sense to me. photos okay but nothing else?

I felt like a lot of the rooms were very beautiful but some of the rooms were pretty awfully designed. There's a transitory space between the outside to the kind of living room hang out area that is just a sight for sore eyes and the room it leads to is also pretty sad. Please note, we all have different tastes so anyone reading this, should be aware i'm just someone with one opinion on aesthetics.

Now, to be fair. Jokes on me for sending a 1000 deposit before seeing it in person. I felt like it would be fine based on the reviews and early conversations, but every single step we took after that felt worse and worse. I did feel like there was pressure to send it and secure the date though.

The nail in the coffin was the grass allergies there were pretty agressive. My partner, who is very sensitive to allergies, had an awful time the next morning from it and that's not the fault of Belle Isle. But I would have hoped given the sincere and pretty intense health issues we had (very intense sinus infection that worsened to the point of having to leave to get back to america to see an allergist immediately) there may be some good faith compassion in even a partial refund. How could we spend that enormous amount of money on an event when my partner was allergic to the place?

Nope. I could say more but I'm out of characters. Not for the non-trad bride. We...