Touring Fermanagh

County Fermanagh is dominated by the two Lough Ernes: Upper and Lower (the northernmost), with Lower being the largest and the two together measuring 50 miles in length. In the two lakes there are 154 islands, many of which housed monasteries in the past. The lakes are famous for their fishing.



The county town of Enniskillen lies between the two lakes. Just north on Devenish Island is the site of a 6th century monastery, St Molaise. A museum displays some of its stone remains. An 81-foot high round tower dates from the 12th century, as does St Molaise’s House. Other buildings are 15th century St Marys Priory and High Cross and the 12th century Lower Church.


Continuing northward along Lower Lough Erne’s shore leads to Castle Archdale set in a country park with a variety of trees and shrubs, deer, red squirrels, game birds, and other wildlife. Also in the park are an arboretum, walled garden, and 19th century pleasure grounds. Modern gardens include a Japanese garden and butterfly garden.

A visitor centre and the ruins of the castle are near the park entrance. Near the park is White Island, where a pre-Norman monastic site was located with the church ruins and eight stone figures remaining. On Boa Island are stone figures in a graveyard.

The main A47 route goes across a bridge and to a peninsula sticking out into the lake. Here is Castle Caldwell Forest Park. The park serves as a breeding ground for the common scoter duck. Islands in the area serve as bird sanctuaries. The park has a visitor centre and the unstable ruins of Castle Caldwell built in 1612.

At the far western end of Lower Low Erne is the village of Belleek, made famous by its pottery which has produced decorated Parian ware since the late 1850s. The pottery offers a tour, visitor centre, and shop. Belleek is linked to the city of Limerick by the 500-mile navigable Shannon-Erne Waterway.

Heading down the western edge of the lake on the A46 leads to Lough Navar Forest with its cliffs of Magho viewpoint, and Correl Glen, then to the town of Tully. Tully Castle, a fortified planter’s house, was constructed in 1613 at nearby Derrygonnelly.



Continuing south brings ruined Monea Castle into view. It is a large and well preserved three storey, 17th century tower house. Towers, turrets, vaulted kitchens and upper chambers are on view. The road soon leads back to Enniskillen.



Enniskillen Castle is made up of a 15th century castle and an early 16th century rebuilding. The central keep is home to a museum. Buildings of note in the town centre are the 1821 courthouse, 1898 town hall with six storey clock tower, 1842 St Macartin’s Church of Ireland cathedral, and 1875 St Michael’s Roman Catholic church. The Fermanagh Heritage Centre and Museum has displays on natural history, folklife, archaeology, the town’s history, and gives an AV presentation.

Castle Coole just south of Enniskillen is considered one of Ireland’s best neo-classical houses. The house, owned by the National Trust, was built in 1798 and restored in the 1980s. Rooms are complete with elaborate Regency furnishings, paintings, and plasterwork. The house sits in a landscaped park, which includes servants’ quarters and tunnel, a stable yard, ice house, and walks to tiny Lough Coole.


South-west of Enniskillen and west of Upper Low Erne is Florence Court Forest Park and Marble Arch caves. A tour of the limestone caves is available and includes a boat trip on an underground lake. Florence Court, overlooked by the Cuilcagh Mountains, is a Palladian mansion house set in parkland owned by the National Trust. Much of the original house contents are on display in a tour that shows off the rococo decoration, Irish furniture, and servants’ quarters. Walks, a sawmill, and walled garden are other attractions.

At the very bottom of Upper Lough Erne on the county border is the National Trust Crom Estate, made up of woodland, islands, and historic ruins. It is a nature conservation area with a visitor centre, guided walks, boats for hire, holiday cottages, a wildlife exhibition, and a 19th century castle (not open).

Heading back up the A34 on the eastern side of Upper Lough Erne, the road leads to Lisnaskea where a folklife display tells about rural life in the county. Castle Balfour’s ruins are just off the main street of the town. An 1841 Cornmarket building has a high cross that once belonged to a monastery. The medieval church graveyard has a collection of 18th century gravestones.

East of the lake is the Vintage Cycle Museum at Brookeborough. The railway station built in 1887 is now a community hall.