Fermanagh's Second Town
Lisnaskea is County Fermanagh's second town, although in this
intensely rural and aquatic county this means a population of around
2,500. The town is built around the long main street, which bends
at almost 90 degrees along its course, and has a strong Plantation
pedigree.
 Sir
Michael Balfour took control of the town through the Plantation,
but Lisnaskea has a very proud heritage dating back to the ruling
Maguire Clan of Fermanagh. Lisnaskea was once the Seat of the Clan,
where Kings were crowned and ruled the County. This strategic importance
led to the town changing hands many times over the years until 1821
when it came under the control of the Earls of Erne.
The Erne’s were generally beneficial landlords, establishing
the market in the town whilst aiding and controlling development
around the high street. The town has a strong heritage in the production
of sandstone and limestone, which can be witnessed in much of building
in the area. However, it is largely an agricultural area, which
Lisnaskea services and this is the backbone of the local economy.
 One
of the Erne’s contributions to the town was the Cornmarket,
built in 1841, which features a carved High Cross depicting Adam
& Eve beneath a tree. The Cross is taken from an early monastery
and provides a striking centre point to the village. An inscription
in the Cornmarket reads ‘Live and Let Live’ and seems
fitting for this friendly and welcoming town.
Just off the Main Street can be found the ruins of Castle Balfour,
built in 1618 by the Balfour’s. The castle was inhabited right
up to the early 19th Century and is currently undergoing a restoration
programme to return it to something approaching its former glory
as the focal point of the village.
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