- ireland -

County Fermanagh

Ireland is a watery place of many lakes, rivers and canals. So it’s quite an achievement to be the most watery county of all. Yet this is but one of Fermanagh’s many claims to distinction. It is the only county in Ireland in which you can travel the complete distance between its furthest extremities within the heart of its territory entirely by boat. Elsewhere, rivers often divide one county from another, but Fermanagh is divided - or linked if you prefer - throughout its length by the handsome waters of the River Erne, both river and lake.

Southeast of the county town of Enniskillen, Upper Lough Erne is a maze of small waterways. Northwest of the historic and characterful town, the riverway opens out into the broad spread of Lower Lough Erne, a magnificent inland sea set off against the spectacular heights of the Cliffs of Magho. It’s a stunningly beautiful county with much else of interest, including the Marble Arch caves, and the great houses of Castle Coole and Florence Court, the latter with its own forest park nestling under the rising heights of Cuilcagh (667m).

And if you think lakes are for fishing rather than floating over, then in western Fermanagh the village of Garrison gives access to Lough Melvin, an angler’s heaven. You just can’t escape from water in this county. So much so, in fact, that Fermanagh folk will tell you that during the more summery nine months of the year, the lakes are in Fermanagh, but in the damper three months of winter, Fermanagh is in the lakes.

Local Attractions and Information

Belleek Porcelain and Explore Erne Exhibition +44 (0)28 68 659300

Bellanaleck Sheelin Lace Museum +44 (0)28 66 348052

Enniskillen Ardhowen Lakeside Theatre +44 (0)28 66 325440

Enniskillen Castle Coole House & Parkland +44 (0)28 66 322690

Enniskillen Enniskillen Castle +44 (0)28 66 325000

Enniskillen Florence Court +44 (0)28 66 348249

Enniskillen Lakelands Tourism +44 (0)28 66 346736

Enniskillen Lough Erne Cruises +44 (0)28 66 322882

Enniskillen Tourism Information +44 (0)28 66 323110

Enniskillen Waterways Ireland +44 (0)28 66 323004

Florence Court House and garden +44 (0)28 66 348249

Florencecourt Marble Arch Caves +44 (0)28 66 348855

Garrison Lough Melvin Activity Holiday Centre +44 (0)28 68 658142

Kesh Ardess Craft Centre +44 (0)28 68 631267

Kesh Castle Archdale Country Park +44 (0)28 68 621588

Newtownbutler Crom Castle +44 (0)28 67 738174