While the Marble Arch Caves are in themselves a primary tourist attraction in County Fermanagh you should certainly try and allocate a bit of extra time to your trip here so that you can have a walk overground in this beautiful part of the County. Continue reading “The Marble Arch and Cladagh River Walk”
The UNESCO recognised Marble Arch Caves Global Geopark is host to the Marble Arch showcaves which include fascinating natural underground rivers, waterfalls, winding passages and lofty chambers. Continue reading “Marble Arch Caves”
This National Trust property was the home of the Cole (Earl of Enniskillen) family from the early 1700s to 1973.
The Cole family, originally William Cole, arrived in County Fermanagh from Devon, England, in around 1612 when he was awarded the island of Enniskillen as part of the Plantation of Ulster. Continue reading “Florence Court House and Gardens”
Lisnaskea is the second town of the County of Fermanagh in Northern Ireland with a population of 2,500.
A Corn and Potato Market was established in the centre of the town by the 3rd Earl of Erne in 1841 and this Celtic cross – the “Adam and Eve Cross” on a much older pedestal (the “Barter Stone”) – was placed in the market square. Continue reading “Secure Everlasting Love in Lisnaskea”
Sir James Balfour, a Plantation undertaker from Fifeshire, Scotland, built Castle Balfour in around 1618 on the edge of a low limestone cliff on the edge of the present town of Lisnaskea to assist in the securing of the plantation of Ulster, occurring at this time. Continue reading “Castle Balfour, Lisnaskea”
Devenish Island, on the southern end of Lower Lough Erne and 1.5 miles downstream from Enniskillen is one of the best preserved monastic sites in Ireland. It was founded by St Molaise in the 6th century. On the island are the ruins of a monastery, two churches/ graveyards, an oratory and one of the finest round towers in Ireland. Additionally there is a small museum, worthy a look, and toilet facilities on the island. Continue reading “Devenish Island – Monastic Site”
In my review on Devenish Island I note that there are a number of ways to get to the island, one of the best preserved monastic sites in Ireland. One of these is to take a tour on the M.V. Kestrel, from the Round ‘O’ Jetty in Enniskillen. While seasonal and tours are subject to minimum numbers, this is probably the most reliable way of getting to Devenish Island – a must see on your visit to Co Fermanagh. Continue reading “M.V. Kestrel – Tours on Lough Erne”
Portora Castle is located on the south bank of the River Erne overlooking the narrowest part of the river before it widens into Lower Lough Erne. Archaeological digs have recovered Stone Age axes, Bronze Age swords and Iron Age ornaments proving that this has been an important and busy crossing point between the provinces of Connacht and Ulster back to prehistoric times. Continue reading “Portora Castle”
Apart from their excellent writing skills what does the Rambling Wombat(that’s me!), Oscar Wilde, Samuel Beckett and Henry Francis Lyte have in common?
Answer: We all went to the same school – Portora Royal School in Enniskillen. Continue reading “Portora – The Royal School”
This is most complete and the best preserved of Ulster’s plantation castles and well worth a visit. I have also written reviews on a number of others.
The so-called plantation castles were built in the 1610s and 1620s to consolidate the Ulster plantation of that period – when Ulster was colonised (following the Flight of the Earls in 1607) and planted with loyal wealthy landowners (from Scotland and England) to prevent further rebellion. Ulster had been the region most resistant to English control during the preceding century. Continue reading “Monea Castle”
The Rambling Wombat 