Fodor's Expert Review Enniskillen Castle
Strategically sited overlooking the River Erne, Enniskillen's 600-year-old waterfront castle is one of the best-preserved monuments in the north, and has undergone a multimillion-pound redevelopment, which has seen the tourist office merging with the castle complex, creating a new gateway to the region. Built in the early 15th century by the Gaelic Maguires to command the waterway, the castle was of tremendous importance in guarding one of the few passes into Ulster and the crossing point between Upper and Lower Lough Erne. Fermanagh’s unique lakeland history is interpreted in four galleries spread over two floors in the restored barrack coach house. Exhibitions highlight life from prehistoric times to the present day, from crannógs (man-made island settlements) to early Christian stone sculpture, Belleek pottery, and rural crafts and traditions. The Full Circle Art Gallery showcases work of local painters such as William Scott, T. P. Flanagan, and Kathleen Bridle. In the listening... READ MORE
Strategically sited overlooking the River Erne, Enniskillen's 600-year-old waterfront castle is one of the best-preserved monuments in the north, and has undergone a multimillion-pound redevelopment, which has seen the tourist office merging with the castle complex, creating a new gateway to the region. Built in the early 15th century by the Gaelic Maguires to command the waterway, the castle was of tremendous importance in guarding one of the few passes into Ulster and the crossing point between Upper and Lower Lough Erne. Fermanagh’s unique lakeland history is interpreted in four galleries spread over two floors in the restored barrack coach house. Exhibitions highlight life from prehistoric times to the present day, from crannógs (man-made island settlements) to early Christian stone sculpture, Belleek pottery, and rural crafts and traditions. The Full Circle Art Gallery showcases work of local painters such as William Scott, T. P. Flanagan, and Kathleen Bridle. In the listening seat you can hear a recording of Flanagan (who died in 2011) speak about his love of Enniskillen, describing the special quality of the stillness and light. A new building, in the shape of the original armory, links the visitor center with the coach house, allowing tourists a glimpse of the original castle wall. The center, styling itself as a "history hub," combines tourism, genealogy, archive, and heritage services alongside a café and shop. The Camp Commander's garden has also been re-created. The polished paraphernalia of the Inniskillings Museum, which includes weapons, badges, medals, and engravings, is held in the castle keep. Pride of place is given to the bugle sounded at the charge of the regiment at the Battle of the Somme in 1916. Look out too for the spectacular room with a cabinet holding the regimental silver used to dress the mess tables for formal dinners. There are interactive displays, and a Roll of Honor contains the names of the 9,100 people from all over Ireland who died in World War II.
READ LESS
