The Town Hall is located in the centre of Enniskillen (at the Diamond) and on one of two hills on the Island. Atop the other hill, a couple of hundred metres away, is St Macartin’s Cathedral.
The renaissance style building of dark Carrickreagh limestone finished with Dungannon sandstone columns, cornices and statues was built in 1901. Its copper dome can be seen from almost anywhere in the town. The Town Hall is built on the site of William Cole’s (the town’s founder) original 1618 market house.
The two sandstone figures, which I particularly like and which are rather rare additions to buildings like this, represent the two army regiments raised in the town in 1688/89– the Royal Inniskilling Dragoon Guards (photo two) and the Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers (photo three).
The doors are of oak and hand carved by William Scott, a local craftsman. In the lobby you will find a (bomb proof! – it having survived a 1972 bomb blast unlike the remainder of the floor) floor mosaic created by Italian artists and depicting the Enniskillen coat of arms.
The Town Hall is, as you might expect, the centre of local government and home to the Fermanagh District Council. Unless you have the urge for a quick on the spot marriage (not recommended) in the Registry Office or have need to register a birth or a death you will not have much reason to venture inside.
Stop for a look as you pass by.
This blog entry is one of a group (loop) of entries based on many trips to Enniskillen. I suggest you continue with my next entry – The Sisters of Mercy & Their Convent Chapel – or to start the loop at the beginning go to my introductory entry – “Fare thee well Enniskillen, ………..”
The Rambling Wombat 