'''Enniskillen''' is in Northern Ireland. It is situated at the mid-point between Upper and Lower Loch Erne, in County Fermanagh.

Get in

Get around

Even though Enniskillen is the biggest town in County Fermanagh it's still possible to visit all the major tourist attractions on foot. There isn't much traffic (by UK standards) but town centre parking is scarce so leave your car in the free car park at the Erneside Shopping Centre and walk across the foot-bridge.

See

  • Enniskillen Castle & Museum [http://www.enniskillencastle.co.uk] in the town centre.
  • Do

  • Enniskillen's main tourist attraction is undoubtedly Loch Erne [http://www.fermanaghlakelands.com], which covers about a third of County Fermanagh. It is a major centre for fishing and all water-sports, attracting visitors from as far away as Germany and Poland. Day tourists can take a boat trip (summer only) from the jetty near the castle. If you're staying longer it's possible to hire a cruiser and visit the loch's many small islands.
  • Florence Court [http://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/main/w-vh/w-visits/w-findaplace/w-florencecourt/], an 18th century house about 10 miles from the town centre. This venue normally hosts family events on bank holidays and tours of the house are available during the summer. You can also take a subterranean boat-trip in the nearby Marble Arch Caves [http://www.marblearchcaves.net/].
  • Spend a day at the Crom Estate [http://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/main/w-vh/w-visits/w-findaplace/w-cromestate/] in Newtownbutler. There are extensive grounds (including an island) to visit though most of the main house is still a private residence. There are also holiday cottages to hire. During summer months there is a very interesting exhibition on the estates natural importance and history of the estate in the visitor centre as well as a very quaint cafe/tea room serving afternoon teas.
  • Take a trip around the world famous Belleek Pottery factory [http://www.belleek.ie], situated in Belleek about 20 miles from Enniskillen.
  • Buy

    Recent years have seen a proliferation of shops selling authentic 'Oirish' souvenirs to gullible tourists. These sell the same sort of rubbish that you see everywhere and are easy to avoid.

    If you're self-catering then you can avoid paying tourist prices by frequenting the same shops as the local residents:

  • The Erneside Shopping Centre has all the major shops that you'd expect to find in Ireland.
  • Dunnes Store on Forthill Street is a huge supermarket that sells reasonably priced food, clothes, domestic goods (etc).
  • Eat

    A large percentage of Fermanagh's income is based on tourism and there are many cafes and restaurants in Ennniskillen that cater to this trade. However, if you want a good quality reasonably priced meal then do what the locals do and visit the restaurant in Dunnes Store on Forthill Street.

    Drink

    Sleep

  • Killyhevlin Hotel [http://www.killyhevlin.com/], Enniskillen, BT74 6RW Tel: 028 66323481.
  • The Bridges Youth Hostel [http://www.hini.org.uk/hostels/enniskillen.cfm] Belmore Street, Enniskillen, BT74 6AA, +44 (0) 28 6634 0110.
  • Get out