A Tourist’s Guide To The Buttermarket, Enniskillen, County Fermanagh
Welcome to the fourth instalment of Enniskillen Tour Guides: a new series that will give you a detailed breakdown of the very best tourist attractions Enniskillen – and County Fermanagh – have to offer.
This week we’re taking a stroll around the Buttermarket, a beautiful craft and design courtyard situated right in the centre of the town.
Once a 19th-century dairy market, the courtyard now showcases all Fermanagh’s thriving arts and crafts scene has to offer, boasting a wide variety of local galleries and traders.
It’s also home to a popular eatery – Rebecca’s Coffee Shop – and retains many of its original 19th-century features.
What to expect
Venture through the archway into this picturesque courtyard and you’ll find cobbled streets and quaint local shops.
The courtyard hosts a sterling lineup of local traders that includes the Marjorie Leonard Studio Gallery – which houses a collection of watercolour Irish landscapes – and the Frances Morris Studio & Gallery, home to atmospheric photographs and limited edition giclee prints.
If unique souvenirs are what you’re after, you’re spoilt for choice with local shops like Angela Kelly Jewellery, The Natural Beauty Pot, Ewe Momma, and McBride’s Leather.
Walking around the courtyard, you’ll also find Mrtyle, a steam engine train created by local man Gordon Johnson and made from a copper boiler, a metal cooking pot, and brass curtain rails.
That’s not all. Rebecca’s Coffee Shop serves up delicious light lunches and delicious sweet treats, as well as tea and coffee.
On a sunny day, you can sit out on one of the picnic benches with a bite to eat and enjoy the weather.
Who’s it for?
Culture vultures and art enthusiasts will adore this tourist attraction, but you don’t have to know your charcoal from your watercolour to enjoy a stroll around the Buttermarket.
It’s a great place to people-watch, watch the world go by and treat yourself to a light lunch. It also provides some nice photo opportunities and a chance to pick up a local souvenir.
How much is it?
Visiting the Buttermarket is completely free and if you’re grabbing lunch, prices in the coffee shop are budget-friendly.
Pricing in the galleries and shops varies – but many visitors say you can pick up a bargain.
Is it suitable for the kids?
The Buttermarket is a great place to bring any budding artists, big and small. However, if you’re little ones get tired of trailing around shops, it may be best if they sit this one out.
When is it open?
The Buttermarket Craft and Design Courtyard is open every day from 10am to 6pm. Bank holiday opening hours may vary.
What else is there to do nearby?
Go to Charlie’s for a pint
About a minute’s walk from the Buttermarket, you’ll find Charlie’s Bar: a popular local watering hole with a distinctly Irish feel. On weekdays it’s a great place to grab a quiet pint, and on weekends, it becomes a lively spot with live music on Fridays and Saturdays.
If you’re a Line Of Duty fan you’ll also see a familiar face adorning one of the outside walls too. Adrian Dunbar, the actor who plays Ted Hastings on the popular ITV police drama is a Fermanagh native, and his mural on Charlie’s Bar is a great photo op.
Visit Enniskillen Castle
You can’t miss Enniskillen Castle, nestled on the banks of Lough Erne. About a 10-minute walk from the Buttermarket, the 15-century castle isn’t just lovely to look at, it also provides a great introduction to the town’s history.
Inside, you’ll find two museums: Fermanagh County Museum and the Inniskillings Museum, where you can check out military artefacts.
Go shopping
Enniskillen has a great reputation for shopping and the Buttermarket is only a short stroll from the high street. There, you’ll find local traders like Fermanagh Cottage Industries, Shuphoric, and fashion retailer Grahams, as well as popular shops such as SD Kells and B&M Bargains.
The Erneside Shopping Centre is a short walk away and has retailers like River Island, Next, New Look, and Card Factory, too.
Special considerations
It’s best to wear sensible shoes to navigate the cobbles in the Buttermarket and a good idea to bring an umbrella – your first line of defence against Fermanagh’s unpredictable weather!
What do reviewers have to say?
The Buttermarket has proven to be a big hit with tourists who have visited in the past, with many saying it’s a ‘pretty’ square and a hive of activity.
One reviewer writes, “Great place right in the heart of Enniskillen town that showcases some of the best local art and crafts in Fermanagh. There’s also a wonderful restaurant in the centre which is welcoming and warm to any visitor. It offers a wonderful selection of food.”
How to book
Good news! Booking isn’t required, simply show up and enjoy yourself, whether you’re taking a stroll around the local art galleries or visiting the café for a cuppa and a scone.
For more information on what to eat, drink and do in Enniskillen, keep up to date with Enniskillen.com.
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Written By Victoria Stokes
Victoria Stokes is a writer and journalist hailing from County Fermanagh who sings the praise of ‘our wee town’ to anyone who will listen. She’s had a prolific and long-spanning career in online and print media and is often found with an espresso martini in one hand and her passport in the other.