County Fermanagh

County Fermanagh
Courtesy of Erne Water Taxi

County Fermanagh

Often affectionately known as Ireland’s Lake District, County Fermanagh is a mesmerising wonderland where land and water seamlessly intertwine. Dominated by the majestic upper and lower Lough Erne, this tranquil county offers an idyllic escape filled with hidden islands, spectacular subterranean caves, and grand historic estates.

A Landscape of Lakes and Legends

The waterways of Fermanagh are an explorer’s paradise, brimming with ancient history and natural beauty. A short boat trip reveals the mysterious two-headed Janus stone on Boa Island and the fascinating 6th-century monastic ruins of Devenish Island. Back on the mainland, history enthusiasts can wander through the aristocratic grandeur of National Trust properties like Florence Court and Castle Coole, where spectacular Palladian architecture and lush, rhododendron-filled gardens offer a vivid glimpse into the county’s stately past.

Subterranean Wonders and Outdoor Thrills

Adventure in County Fermanagh goes far beyond its serene lakes. The world-renowned Cuilcagh Lakelands UNESCO Global Geopark invites visitors to descend into the mesmerising Marble Arch Caves, where guided boat tours navigate underground rivers past stunning stalactites. Above ground, the Cuilcagh mountain range provides exhilarating hikes, including the famous boardwalk trail that rewards climbers with sweeping panoramic views. Whether you are kayaking along the Shannon-Erne Canal, cycling the peaceful lakeside greenways, or simply unwinding in a transparent bubble dome beneath a starry night sky, Fermanagh offers an enchanting and deeply immersive outdoor adventure.

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Interests & Features

77 Places in County Fermanagh

Belle Isle
Tourism Ireland

Belle Isle

Belle Isle Estate, fermanagh

Birthplace of the Annals of Ulster, Belle Isle Estate links medieval scholarship with modern luxury on Upper Lough Erne. The 17th‑century castle, refurbished in 1991, now houses upscale rooms, water‑sport facilities and the Bear Grylls Survival Academy, catering to families and corporate groups. Surrounded by a 400‑acre Special Area of Conservation, the island’s woodlands and shoreline provide a tranquil backdrop to its adventurous offerings.

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Benaughlin – The Legendary Hill of County Fermanagh
Tourism Ireland by Joshua Hannah

Benaughlin – The Legendary Hill of County Fermanagh

County Fermanagh, fermanagh

Cool peat scent rises from the blanket bog atop Benaughlin as you ascend its gentle slopes. Legends speak of a white horse that once spoke on Lughnasa and of Donn na Binne, ancestor of the Mag Uidhir chiefs, whose stone face is said to crumble when a descendant dies. The historic Donkey Trail, once used to haul turf to Florence Court, now offers an easy climb with panoramic Geopark vistas.

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White Island Figures, Lough Erne
White Island Figures, Lough Erne Courtesy Tourism Ireland & Gardiner Mitchell

Boatyard Distillery

346 Lough Shore Road, fermanagh

When Joe McGirr returned from a decade abroad in 2016, he transformed the derelict Lower Lough Erne boathouse into Fermanagh’s first legal distillery since 1890. The award‑winning site, now a B Corp, blends organic wheat, locally foraged sweet‑gale and recycled glass while offering gin‑and‑tonic welcomes and sustainable production practices.

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Lough Erne Golf Resort, Co. Fermanagh
Lough Erne Golf Resort, Co. Fermanagh Images courtesy of Tourism Northern Ireland in perpetuity all usage channels channels

Castle Caldwell

Lower Lough Erne, fermanagh

Unbelievably, a 19th‑century geological survey on the estate uncovered rich feldspar and kaolin deposits that later underpinned the world‑renowned Belleek Pottery. Now the 17th‑century Castle Caldwell ruins overlook Lower Lough Erne, while the adjacent forest trails wind past walled gardens, a historic lime kiln and the eerie Fiddler’s Stone, said to echo faint music on moonlit evenings.

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Lough Erne Golf Resort, Co. Fermanagh
Lough Erne Golf Resort, Co. Fermanagh Images courtesy of Tourism Northern Ireland in perpetuity all usage channels channels

Castle Hume – Estate and Lough

Enniskillen, fermanagh

Set on the western shore of Lower Lough Erne, Castle Hume blends centuries‑old gardens, a tranquil lake and a world‑class golf course. Visitors can wander tree‑lined avenues, admire a stone dovecote, then unwind at the five‑star Lough Erne Resort with spa, dining and spectacular water‑side views.

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Marble Arch Caves, Cave Tour, Co. Fermanagh
Marble Arch Caves, Cave Tour, Co. Fermanagh Courtesy of Marble Arch Caves

Cladagh Glen – Ancient Woodland Walk in County Fermanagh

Marlbank Road, fermanagh

In 2024 the Cladagh Glen reserve reopened following extensive foot‑path upgrades by the Northern Ireland Environment Agency, restoring safe access to its ancient ash woodland. Walking the 2.5 km trail reveals the Cascades waterfall tumbling over limestone steps, the natural Marble Arch spanning the re‑emergent river, and red‑squirrel sightings among bluebell‑carpeted banks.

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Glamping at Share Discovery Village, Lisnaskea, Co. Fermanagh
Glamping at Share Discovery Village, Lisnaskea, Co. Fermanagh Courtesy of Share Discovery Glamping

Cornashee, County Fermanagh

Lisnaskea, fermanagh

Ancient inauguration mound Sliabh Gabhra was last used by the Maguire chieftains in 1589, a surprisingly recent date for Gaelic royal ceremonies. Located in the modest townland of Cornashee, the hill provides panoramic views over Lisnaskea and the Lough Erne basin, echoing the power once displayed atop its earthworks. Today the gentle rise invites history enthusiasts to walk the same ground where medieval lords swore allegiance to their clan.

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Crom Estate

Upper Lough Erne, fermanagh

After Michael Balfour erected the first house on the Crom site in 1611, the estate became a focal point of the Plantation of Ulster, later enduring two Jacobite invasions before the original tower was burnt in the early 1760s. Now a National Trust reserve, the 2,000‑acre demesne protects the largest native oak woodland in Northern Ireland alongside the ruins of Old Crom Castle and a thriving array of red squirrels, pine martens and otters.

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Cuilcagh Boardwalk Trail, Co Fermanagh
Cuilcagh Boardwalk Trail, Co Fermanagh Gareth McCormack/garethmccormack.com

Cuilcagh Boardwalk – Stairway to Heaven Trail

Cuilcagh Boardwalk, fermanagh

Though the Cuilcagh landscape is ancient limestone and centuries‑old blanket bog, the modern boardwalk and steep wooden staircase provide a safe, visitor‑friendly route to its summit. From the platform, the 360° panorama spans Lower Lough Erne, the Cavan lowlands and distant mountain ranges, proving that preservation and accessibility can coexist.

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Glamping at Share Discovery Village, Lisnaskea, Co. Fermanagh
Glamping at Share Discovery Village, Lisnaskea, Co. Fermanagh Courtesy of Share Discovery Glamping, @ShareDiscovery

Lisnaskea – History, Heritage and Outdoor Adventure in County Fermanagh

Lisnaskea, fermanagh

Between the medieval ruins of Castle Balfour and the bustling Share Discovery Village, Lisnaskea balances centuries of history with lively outdoor adventure. The town’s 17th‑century market square sits beside modern angling waters on Upper Lough Erne, offering visitors both heritage walks and family‑friendly water sports.

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Shannon Erne,Waterway, Blueway, Belturbet, Marina, Co Cavan
Shannon Erne,Waterway, Blueway, Belturbet, Marina, Co Cavan Courtesy Failte Ireland

Shannon‑Erne Waterway

Ireland (Republic of Ireland & Northern Ireland), leitrim

The Shannon‑Erne Waterway winds 63 km across the Irish border, linking the River Shannon with Upper Lough Erne via a series of lakes, rivers and 16 smart‑card‑operated locks. From historic villages to wildlife‑rich Blueway trails, it offers a seamless blend of cruising, paddling and cycling for every explorer.

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