Have you ever been to County Fermanagh?

In another in my occassional series about Northern Ireland, I thought I would show you what Co. Fermanagh has to offer.

Co. Fermanagh is the most westerly county in NI and is the only county not to border Lough Neagh. Tourism is one of the most important industries in this area and a lot of it centres around Lough Erne. Watersports abound here and you can experience everything from fishing to waterskiing, canoeing to cruising. There is also caving, walking and golf.



For golf enthusiasts, there is the Lough Erne Golf Resort in Enniskillen. As well as a stunning hotel there is a Nick Faldo designed golf course - the first in Ireland. If golf isn't your thing, there is always the hotel spa to relax in.



If you get tired of all that the Lough has to offer and need some retail therapy, Enniskillen is the place to go. Enniskillen means Island of Kathleen, a mythical queen of ancient lore who was drowned there. As well as shopping the castle and museums are worth a visit. Enniskillen Castle was built almost 600 years ago by Gaelic Maguire chieftains. Guarding one of the few passes into Ulster, it was strategically important throughout its history. In the 17th century it became an English garrison fort and later served as part of a military barracks.



Co. Fermanagh is also famous for Belleek Pottery and if you wanted to find out more, you can visit the Belleek Pottery Visitors Centre

Finally, one of the things I used to love as a child was visiting stately homes and I remember visiting 2 beautiful ones in Fermanagh - Florence Court and Castle Coole Both are National Trust properties and well worth a visit.


Florence Court


Castle Coole

I hope this has given you a bit of interest in visiting Fermanagh and will try and do another of my whistle-stop NI tours soon!