Shortly after this the bawn was seized and seven warders killed; and in 1595 the whole fortress surrendered. In the State Papers the Lord Deputy declares he cannot understand why this should have been, as the castle was well provisioned. He says that he hears the constable and fifteen warders were promised life and goods, but that when they came out they were all put to death. It does not seem that this report was confirmed. In 1596-97 the Lord Deputy asks for three falcons with their carriages and ladles, to replace those which Maguire had taken with the castle, and which had belonged to Dublin. Maguire’s brother held the fortress in 1598. It was again in English possession in 1607, and Captain William Cole was constable in 1610, when he asked for some land to be allotted to his office. That immediately round the castle was in the hands of Scottish settlers, and there was no demesne land attached to the building. In 1611 he built “a fair house” on the old site, adding numerous outhouses. A moat surrounded the bawn, and the river was crossed by a drawbridge. He also erected a wall 26 feet high with flankers and parapet, which still remains. The castle was granted to Sir William Cole in 1620 on a lease for twenty-one years, and he was responsible for its repair. The Earl of Enniskillen at present represents the family. Four hundred pounds was granted for State repairs in 1646, some of which had been expended on the castle of Enniskillen. During the famous siege of the town in 1689 the Governor, Gustavus Hamilton, took up his residence in the castle, which belonged to Sir Michael Cole, who was absent in England. In 1749 the fortress was in ruins. AUTHORITIES CONSULTED. State Papers. MS. Ordnance Survey. Parliamentary Gazetteer. Proceedings of Royal Society of Antiquaries, Ireland. King, “Henry’s Upper Lough Erne.” Witherrow, “Derry and Enniskillen.” Earl of Belmore, “Governor Hamilton and Captain Corry,” and Ancient Maps of Enniskillen, both in _Ulster Journal of Archæology_. _FERNS CASTLE_ This ancient seat of royalty is situated five miles and three-quarters north-by-east of Enniscorthy, on the River Bann, in the County of Wexford. The name comes from Fearna, meaning alders, or “a place abounding in alders.” The erection of the first stone castle is ascribed to Strongbow, and it is supposed to have been built upon the site of the fortress or dun of his father-in-law, Dermot MacMurrough, King of Leinster. The present ruins are the remains of four round towers, which were joined by high curtain walls enclosing a courtyard. The building is one of great strength, and occupies an imposing situation above the town.