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William Cole, a Londoner, opted for a military career - there is no evidence that he attended either of the Universities or an Inn of Court. Captain (later Sir) William Cole was not originally one of the major players in the plantation scheme. Commissioned as keeper of the King's long boats at Ballyshannon, he was appointed first Constable of the Royal Fort at Enniskillen in 1607. He established the plantation town of Enniskillen. As part of the plantation strategy he was charged to repair the captured Maguire stronghold. Probably little remained but the stump of the derelict tower house.
New defences were added to the derelict stronghold, 'a wall of lime and stone, 8m high with flankers, parapet and a walk on the wall'. Cole constructed 'a good timber house after the English fashion' on a piece of ground adjacent to the castle and lived there with his family.
THE WATERGATE - probably the best-known structure in the modern castle complex was built by Cole c1615. The function is problematic as there is no sign of it ever being a gateway. It may have been a status symbol to confront travellers coming north by water.
