A STORMONT department has come in for criticism for removing a picturesque garden from a Fermanagh tourist spot.
The ornamental garden housed within the grounds of 17th century Tully Castle on the southern shore of Lower Lough Erne, had been in place for 20 years, but within the past two weeks the Department for Communities has removed the landscaped greenery in a move it insists is "not to save costs".
Tully Castle was originally built in 1619 for Sir John Hume, a Scottish Planter, who occupied the fortified house with rectangular bawn until it was attacked and burned during the Irish rebellion of 1641.
The site has remained uninhabited ever since, but remnants of the original structure remain.
An ornamental garden was planted within the bawn enclosure around 20 years ago, but this has now been cut down and levelled off to make way for new lawns.
The move has has caused "considerable outrage" according to Fermanagh South Tyrone MP Tom Elliott, who said the "sudden" removal of the garden was "deeply concerning".
"There is considerable outrage and discontent from people within the local community regarding the eradication of the gardens," Mr Elliott said.
"Many tourists from Northern Ireland and further afield visit the gardens, along with the stunningly located castle to explore these beautifully landscaped gardens and lakeside walks.
"The removal of gardens at Tully Castle has the potential to negatively affect tourism in the surrounding areas, these gardens form part of a much wider tourist experience of services, attractions and events in the area," he added.
Victoria Bailey, head of marketing at the neighbouring Blaney Caravan Park said the removal of the gardens was "hugely disappointing".
"There was no consultation at all with the local community which is disgraceful, a huge opportunity has been missed.It's shocking," she said
A spokesperson from the Department for Communities, in charge of the maintenance of the historic site said the garden "needed to be removed".
"With the passage of time, the vegetation within the garden had become over-mature and much of it needed to be removed," the spokesperson said.
"Taking into account the most likely landscaping when the castle was occupied, the Department decided that it was most authentic to replace the ornamental garden with lawns.
"The work to do this is largely complete. No monuments or ancient structures have been removed from the site as a result of these works.
"The works were completed as a necessary management task and not to save costs," they added.
