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Interesting Facts
- Enniskillen is partly situated on an island in the river Erne between the Upper and Lower Lough Erne. This city of 11,400 has long been known for its cattle market and as a mecca for anglers.
- Devenish Island lies just two miles downstream from Enniskillen and is the home of a sixth century monastery. St. Molaise, who was known as one of the "twelve apostles of Ireland," founded the monastery.
- Enniskillen Castle was the medieval seat of the Maguires, the Chieftains of Fermanagh who controlled the lake with a private navy of some 1,500 boats. Today, the county museum, which is housed in the castle, traces some of this history and contains exhibits on the region's natural history and folklore.
- Visitors to Enniskillen should be sure to check out the Belleek Village for its renowned pottery. The Belleek Pottery Factory provides visitors with the opportunity to get an interesting look into the production of the pottery. Established in 1857, the craftspeople of this trade still practice the techniques originally learned in the nineteenth century.
- Gone fishin'! There's no better way to spend some time than by fishing in Enniskillen's Lough Erne. Bream, eel, perch, pike, roach, and rudd are all found in these waters and offer fun to all that care to partake in this local pastime. And you can bet that with the lough being 50 miles long and 12 miles wide, there's plenty of room to accommodate all types of fishermen! Be sure, however, to check out all of the local regulations concerning fishing.
- Northern Ireland has some of the best and freshest food available in the islands. The area is known for its seafood, especially its salmon. Vegetable, prime beef, and lamb also add to the mix that makes dining out a real pleasure.
- White Island is home to a little ruined church with a restored Romanesque doorway and two similar windows. The building protects seven early Christian figures that were repaired in 1928. Originally, they were constructed between the seventh and ninth centuries.
- Christianity may have been accepted here more slowly than elsewhere. The evidence from stone carvings suggests this belief. Several pagan idols, including the Iron Age Caldragh Idol, have been located on Christian sites. Early Christian remains that were found on the island strongly suggest an influence of pagan culture.
- In 1987, an IRA bomb killed eleven people, bringing a dark cloud over the traditionally tranquil town of Enniskillen. However, the tragedy prompted a community effort that helped the town heal itself and ensured that they would not be remembered solely for past misfortunes. In fact, the effort has advanced the town's image, and Enniskillen was awarded the "Ireland's Best Kept Town" in 2000.
- It has been said that the only traffic jams in Northern Ireland occur when cattle and flocks of sheep change fields. Unfortunately, this is not the case in Enniskillen. Virtually all major roads in Fermanagh converge on Enniskillen and cause considerable congestion around the town.
