Enniskillen

Enniskillen is a town and civil parish situated in County Fermanagh, Northern Ireland, between the upper and lower Lough Erne. It is located near the River Erne and is close to the Marble Arch Caves Global Geopark, a UNESCO-designated site. The town is also near the Cuilcagh Mountain, which is part of the Breifne region, and is close to the Border Region, which includes the Republic of Ireland and Northern Ireland. Enniskillen is also situated near the Shannon-Erne Waterway, which connects the River Shannon to the River Erne.

Geography

Enniskillen is situated in a scenic area, with the Lough Erne and the River Erne flowing through it, and is surrounded by rolling hills and mountains, including the Cuilcagh Mountain and the Benaughlin Mountain. The town is also close to the Fermanagh Lakelands, which include the Upper Lough Erne and the Lower Lough Erne, and is near the Shannon-Erne Waterway, which connects the River Shannon to the River Erne. The geography of the area is also influenced by the Glacial features of the Last Glacial Maximum, which shaped the landscape of the region, including the Drumlin fields and the Esker systems. Enniskillen is also near the Slieve Rushen mountain, which is part of the Breifne region, and is close to the Sliabh Beagh mountains, which are located in County Monaghan.

History

Enniskillen has a rich history, dating back to the Plantation of Ulster in the early 17th century, when the town was granted to Gerald, 14th Earl of Kildare and William Cole. The town was also an important location during the Irish Rebellion of 1641, when it was besieged by the Irish Confederate forces led by Rory O'Moore and Phelim O'Neill. Enniskillen is also close to the Tully Castle, which was built in the 17th century by Rory Maguire, and is near the Monea Castle, which was built in the 17th century by Gustavus Hamilton. The town is also associated with the Battle of the Boyne, which took place in 1690, and is near the Battle of Newtownbutler, which took place in 1689. Enniskillen is also close to the Castle Coole, which was built in the 18th century by Armar Lowry-Corry, 1st Earl Belmore.

Economy

The economy of Enniskillen is driven by a range of industries, including Agriculture, with the surrounding countryside being home to many farms, including those owned by the Duke of Westminster and the Earl of Belmore. The town is also a center for Tourism, with visitors attracted to the area's natural beauty, including the Lough Erne and the Cuilcagh Mountain, and its rich history, including the Tully Castle and the Monea Castle. Enniskillen is also home to a number of businesses, including the Fermanagh Herald newspaper, which is owned by the North West of Ireland Printing and Publishing Company, and the Enniskillen Golf Club, which is one of the oldest golf clubs in Ireland. The town is also close to the Belleek Pottery, which is a world-renowned ceramics manufacturer, and is near the Lisbellaw village, which is home to the Lisbellaw Creamery.

Culture

Enniskillen has a rich cultural heritage, with a range of festivals and events taking place throughout the year, including the Enniskillen Festival, which celebrates the town's history and culture, and the Fermanagh Live Arts Festival, which showcases the work of local artists, including Seamus Heaney and Michael Longley. The town is also home to a number of cultural institutions, including the Fermanagh County Museum, which is located in the Enniskillen Castle, and the Headhunters Railway Museum, which is dedicated to the history of the Great Northern Railway (Ireland). Enniskillen is also close to the Ulster American Folk Park, which is a museum showcasing the history of Irish emigration to the United States, and is near the Beleek village, which is home to the Belleek Castle.

Education

Enniskillen is home to a number of educational institutions, including the Enniskillen Royal Grammar School, which is one of the oldest schools in Ireland, and the Mount Lourdes Grammar School, which is a Catholic girls' school. The town is also close to the South West College, which is a further education college with campuses in Dungannon, Omagh, and Enniskillen, and is near the Queen's University Belfast, which has a campus in Belfast. Enniskillen is also home to the Fermanagh and Omagh District Council's education department, which is responsible for the provision of education services in the area, including the Special Educational Needs service.

Transport

Enniskillen is well-connected to the rest of Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland by road and rail, with the A46 road and the A4 road passing through the town, and the Belfast-Dublin railway line stopping at the Enniskillen railway station. The town is also close to the George Best Belfast City Airport, which is located in Belfast, and is near the City of Derry Airport, which is located in Derry. Enniskillen is also connected to the Shannon-Erne Waterway, which connects the River Shannon to the River Erne, and is near the Lough Erne Yacht Club, which is a popular destination for Sailing and Boating.