The Island County Town of Fermanagh
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for a Street Map of Enniskillen
 Enniskillen is the County Town of Fermanagh, located almost exactly
in the Centre of the County on the natural island which separates
the Upper and Lower sections of Lough Erne. The town is home to
a population of approximately 11,500, by far the largest settlement
in the County. As one would expect, the town is a retail centre
for the County, and beyond, but it has yet to succumb to the blandness
which infects many modern towns.
The
town centre is firmly built along the long, narrow Main St, which
actually changes name six times along its length! This gives the
town a real sense of bustle and life as well as imbuing the shops
with their own unique character. There is no new, anonymous, development
to be found on the Main Street and the established High Street Stores
sit comfortably beside small independent traders, creating a special
atmosphere for the place. A feature of Enniskillen which is becoming
increasingly unusual is the number of small bars and hostelries
which appear on the Main Street, providing welcome relief from the
shops!
At the centre of the town is the Town Hall, which was completed
as recently as 1901. The Clock Tower here is six stories high and
can be seen from everywhere, complete with its statues marking the
proud military heritage of the Town. The Bandstand outside the Town
Hall is used regularly through the Summer  and works well to add
to the impression that this is a very warm and unusual retail centre.
At
the west end of the Main Street can be found the town’s two
main Churches. St. MacCartan’s Church Of Ireland Cathedral
dates from 1842. Inside, General Lowry Cole, who also overlooks
the town from his Column in the Town Park, is commemorated. The
Cathedral is noted for its Bells, with one in particular being cast
from a cannon used in the Battle of the Boyne. St Michael’s
RC Church is opposite St. MacCartan’s, on the other side of
the Main Street, and dates from 1875. The building has a steep roof
and is actually best viewed from the rear. Inside a window portrays
St Molaise, founder of the Devenish Monastery.
One of the key images that a visitor to Enniskillen may take home
with them is the proximity of the Lough’s to the town. Moorings
just outside the town centre certainly ease the pressure for parking
spaces  and add a continental feel to the town.
These
moorings are also close to Enniskillen’s new shopping centre.
Erneside is a recent retail development taking some shopping slightly
out of town into a purpose built environment
Further down the Lough is the Ardhowen Theatre, Fermanagh’s
own cultural entertainment centre, which boasts a full and varied
programme of entertainment. |
