County Fermanagh

From the mighty Upper and Lower Lough Erne, to the Shannon-Erne Canal and the River Erne itself, almost a third of County Fermanagh is covered by lakes and waterways of all shapes and sizes. As you can imagine, this makes County Fermanagh a paradise for boating, kayaking, canoeing and the wildlife that finds a home in this beautiful county. It’s a giant adventure and a giant retreat all in one. 

Start with easy going Enniskillen 

Enniskillen, Fermanagh’s largest town, sits at the heart of the county, straddling the River Erne as it winds its way northwards from Upper Lough Erne to Lower Lough Erne. The town centre is dominated by the walls and battlements of Enniskillen Castle, built in the 1400s by Hugh Maguire, also known as “Hugh the Hospitable”. His nickname fits the ambience of the place and its easy going, welcoming people.

Enniskillen is the best place to start exploring everything that County Fermanagh has to offer, and there’s no more enjoyable way to do that than by taking to the water itself. County Fermanagh is filled with marinas and it’s easy to hire everything from small boats, barges, and kayaks, to canoes and paddleboards across the county. Another travel option is by bike, with bike hire and trails abound. The trail around the grounds of Ely Forest Estate is well worth a spin. 

An angling mecca for all 

Once you take to the water in County Fermanagh, you can’t fail to miss the numbers of anglers lining the river banks and lake shores. The county is a mecca for anglers who travel from all over Ireland, the UK, France, Netherlands, Germany and beyond to enjoy some of the most prolific angling available anywhere in Europe. 

Take a boat back in time to Devenish Island 

Devenish Island, on Lower Lough Erne, is one of Ireland’s great monastic heritage sites. A short boat trip will take you back in time. Once landed, explore the 100-foot tall round tower together with poignant remains of the three churches that once stood here and attracted worshippers from across the land. For many visitors, this is a spiritual moment. For others, it’s simply a fascinating slice of history, or a chance to savour the tranquillity.

Arts, crafts and crockery at Belleek 

The pretty village of Belleek sits on the River Erne and border with County Donegal. It’s world-famous for the pottery business which bears the village’s name. Founded in 1857 by John Caldwell Bloomfield, over more than a century-and-a-half, Belleek Pottery has become synonymous with flawlessly simple and delicate pottery. 

Grand houses and gorgeous gardens 

County Fermanagh boasts a wealth of fine country estates, demesnes and castles. The 5* Lough Erne Resort, which hosted the 2013 G8 world-leaders summit boasts some of the finest golf, dining and spa facilities in Northern Ireland, while National Trust properties Castle Coole, Crom Estate and Florence Court, are all well worth a visit.  Be sure to check Enniskillen Castle while you're here too.

Small places with big welcomes 

One of the delights of County Fermanagh is the variety of accommodation and dining options. You’ll find a multitude of small family-run hotels, guest-houses, restaurants and cafes, offering friendly places to stay and eat at every turn. 

That’s just a quick paddle through County Fermanagh, but there’s so much more to discover. Start building your itinerary now and plan a wonderful short break in one of Northern Ireland's most beautiful counties.  

Check ahead with providers before visiting and book in advance where possible.