Enniskillen

Enniskillen is the County Town of Fermanagh, located almost exactly in the Centre of the County on the natural island which separates the Upper and Lower sections of Lough Erne. The town is home to a population of approximately 11,500, by far the largest settlement in the County. As one would expect, the town is a retail centre for the County, and beyond, but it has yet to succumb to the blandness which infects many modern towns.

The town centre is firmly built along the long, narrow Main St, which actually changes name six times along its length! This gives the town a real sense of bustle and life as well as imbuing the shops with their own unique character. There is no new, anonymous, development to be found on the Main Street and the established High Street Stores sit comfortably beside small independent traders, creating a special atmosphere for the place. A feature of Enniskillen which is becoming increasingly unusual is the number of small bars and hostelries which appear on the Main Street, providing welcome relief from the shops!

At the centre of the town is the Town Hall, which was completed as recently as 1901. The Clock Tower here is six stories high and can be seen from everywhere, complete with its statues marking the proud military heritage of the Town. The Bandstand outside the Town Hall is used regularly through the Summer and works well to add to the impression that this is a very warm and unusual retail centre.

At the west end of the Main Street can be found the town’s two main Churches. St. MacCartan’s Church Of Ireland Cathedral dates from 1842. Inside, General Lowry Cole, who also overlooks the town from his Column in the Town Park, is commemorated. The Cathedral is noted for its Bells, with one in particular being cast from a cannon used in the Battle of the Boyne. St Michael’s RC Church is opposite St. MacCartan’s, on the other side of the Main Street, and dates from 1875. The building has a steep roof and is actually best viewed from the rear. Inside a window portrays St Molaise, founder of the Devenish Monastery.

One of the key images that a visitor to Enniskillen may take home with them is the proximity of Lough Erne to the town. Moorings just outside the town centre certainly ease the pressure for parking spaces and add a continental feel to the town.

These moorings are also close to Enniskillen’s Erneside Shopping Centre. Erneside has a number of High Street Stores, including Marks & Spencer, Argos and Next and there are now large ASDA and Tesco Supermarkets in the same area of town – all your shopping needs are within walking distance of the Town Centre.

Further down the Lough is the Ardhowen Theatre, Fermanagh’s own cultural entertainment centre, which boasts a full and varied program of entertainment.

Pubs & Restaurants, Enniskillen

Taxi Service, Enniskillen