Turbet Island Looped Walk Belturbet

Walk, Picnic, and Wander Freely

Turbet Island is located on the northwest side of Belturbet town just across the bridge on the River Erne. The castle is believed to be one of the first major settlements at the site of Belturbet. Turbet island and the Motte and Bailey is a wonderful place to go for a relaxing walk, have a picnic, and get lost in the beauty of nature. It is easily accessible by car or by foot and all trails are fully accessible for wheelchairs.

Location

Main Car Park
Bridge Street
Belturbet
Cavan
Republic of Ireland

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Facilities

Car parking, interpretation and the Turbet Island Walk. Shops, restaurants/cafes and accommodation are all available in the village of Belturbet.

Accessibility

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Walking Trail

Distance: 1 mile / 1.6 km
Time: 20 mins
Grade: Easy
Terrain: Forest tracks and lakeside tracks. Generally flat trails with a smooth surface and some gentle slopes or shallow steps. These trails are generally suitable for family groups including children and the elderly. Normal outdoor footwear can be worn.
Route: Circular
Format: Loop
Ascent: 15 m
Waymarking: Red arrow on white background
Dogs: Dogs must be kept under control and waste disposed of
Start Point: Turbet Island Car Park
Finish Point: Turbet Island Car Park
Nearest Town to Start: Belturbet
Grid Ref.:H 360 171
Lat Long: .54.101863, -7.449459

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Heritage

The site has a motte, a steep sided mound of earth with a flat top, and a bailey, an attached enclosed area that would have contained houses and other buildings. The remains of a small sub circular stone structure can be seen from the summit of the mot

The motte was one of seven fortifications built to secure a roadway that would isolate the section of the Ulster province that was still under indigenous Irish control.

Turbet Island motte and bailey had been abandoned by the Anglo-Normans before 1233. After this, the O’Reilly’s took the site over. It is believed that once the O’Reilly’s took ownership of the site, they continued to construct a castle. The site can be accessed via a footbridge which is located beside the main bridge over the River Erne.

This site is highly valued by local communities, as a place of incredible historical significance. It is believed that it may be the first ever settlement established in this area, making it an incredible display of Ireland’s history.

It is also true that Turbet Island was the home of an exciting discovery. The first ever remnants in Europe of the prehistoric Woolly Mammoth were discovered here, which is truly incredible!

This site is also home to some magnificent bird species, and the River Erne has the pleasure of hosting protected species such as the Whooper Swan and the Greenland White-Fronted Goose.

This trail is a Sport Ireland accredited Trail.

The Geopark are members of Leave No Trace Ireland and we ask you please to adhere to their guiding principles. For more information please visit www.leavenotraceireland.org.