Tullyhommon

Overview

Tullyhommon (Irish: Tulach an tSamhain) is a small townland in County Fermanagh, Northern Ireland, forming the Northern‑Irish side of the village of Pettigo. The River Termon, which doubles as part of the border between Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland, runs through the settlement, giving the area a unique cross‑border character. In the 2011 census the townland recorded just 63 residents, while the combined Pettigo‑Tullyhommon community numbers around 450 people. Despite its modest size, the locality sits on a landscape of blanket bog, wet heath and the shimmering waters of Lough Erne, offering a quiet base for exploring both natural and historical attractions.

Geography & Landscape

Tullyhommon covers roughly 49.9 ha (123 acres) and lies in the barony of Lurg, the civil parish of Drumkeeran and the electoral division of Clonelly. Its Irish name is recorded as Tulaigh Ua Thiomain on Logainm.ie. The townland borders Pettigo to the west and a series of other Fermanagh townlands such as Ardnaglass, Backwood, Bircog, Firs, Kilmore, Killynoogan, New Park and others.

Townland Statistics

• Area: 49.95 ha (123.43 acres) – 0.499 km²
• Altitude: approx. 302 ft (92 m) above sea level
• Coordinates: 54° 33′ 06″ N, 7° 49′ 34″ W (lat 54.5517, lon ‑7.8261)

The River Termon, which forms part of the international border, meanders through low‑lying bogland before feeding into Lough Erne. The surrounding blanket‑bog and wet‑heath habitats are typical of the Fermanagh Lakelands and support a range of specialised flora.

History

The border location has made Tullyhommon a stage for several pivotal moments in Irish history. On 4 June 1922, during the Irish Civil War, the Irish Republican Army occupied Pettigo and the surrounding area in what is known as the Battle of Pettigo and Belleek. A memorial on Belleek Road commemorates the three IRA volunteers killed, the six wounded and the four captured, while a second stone nearby honours the local men who fell in the Great War (1914‑1918).

During the Troubles, the townland was the scene of two notable incidents. On 30 August 1973, British Army S/Sgt Ronald Beckett was killed while attempting to defuse an IRA‑planted bomb at the Tullyhommon Post Office. Later, on 8 November 1987, a bomb intended for a Remembrance Sunday ceremony in Enniskillen was discovered in Tullyhommon after it failed to detonate; the device was safely rendered inert by security forces.

The area also produced a prominent political figure: Basil McIvor (1928‑2004), a pioneering Ulster Unionist who championed integrated education, was born in Tullyhommon.

Border & Community

Because the River Termon marks the border, crossing into Pettigo is seamless – there is no customs checkpoint, and the two sides share a single post‑office address historically. The historic Tullyhommon Post Office building now stands as a modest heritage site, its façade hinting at the village’s once‑busy cross‑border trade.

The Termon Complex, opened in 2014, serves as a modern community hub on the border. It hosts exhibitions on shared heritage, provides free Wi‑Fi, and offers space for cultural events, workshops and local markets.

Civic Centre Contact Details

The community hub is officially listed as The Townhall, 2 Townhall Street, Enniskillen, BT74 7BA. Phone: +44 0300 303 1777. The centre provides visitor information, free Wi‑Fi and a small exhibition on the border’s shared heritage. (Source: city‑town.uk)

War Memorials

Two stone memorials dominate the village centre. The IRA Memorial on Belleek Road records the three volunteers who died in the 1922 battle, with a bronze plaque naming each. A short walk away stands the Great War Memorial, a granite stone listing the names of the five local men who lost their lives serving in the British forces during World War I. Both are freely accessible year‑round.

Wildlife & Nature

The surrounding Pettigo Plateau Nature Reserve is a 900 ha Special Area of Conservation. Its blanket‑bog and heath provide breeding ground for birds such as merlin, hen harrier and the occasional golden‑plover. Mammals include the Irish hare and small mammals that thrive in the damp grassland. The River Termon is a good spot for spotting kingfishers and dippers, while the Lough Erne shoreline supports otters and a variety of water‑fowl.

What to See & Do

The Janus Stones and Drumskinny Circle provide a tangible link to Ireland’s pre‑Christian past, while the Rossmore Point Beacon offers a tranquil spot to soak in the sweeping Lough Erne scenery. Families will enjoy the water‑based pursuits at Castle Archdale Marina, where rental equipment is available on‑site. For those interested in spiritual heritage, a short drive brings you to St Patrick’s Purgatory, a pilgrimage destination that appears on maps dating back to the 15th century.

Nature enthusiasts can explore the Pettigo Plateau Nature Reserve, a designated Special Area of Conservation where rare birds and mammals thrive. The Termon Complex showcases the modern, collaborative spirit of the border community, hosting cultural events that celebrate the shared identity of the area.

Events

The village hosts the annual Pettigo and Tullyhommon Festival each summer, usually in July, featuring traditional music sessions, craft stalls and local food vendors. Dates vary, so checking the community’s Facebook page or notice boards in the village centre closer to the season is advisable.

Practical Information

Access – Tullyhommon is reachable by road from both the Republic of Ireland and Northern Ireland. The main routes are the N15 from Donegal (south) and the A509 from Enniskillen (north). Because the River Termon marks the border, crossing into Pettigo is seamless – there is no customs checkpoint.

Parking – Free car‑parks are available at Rossmore Point Beacon, Castle Archdale Marina and the trailheads for the stone circles. The Termon Complex provides limited visitor parking during events; a small fee may apply during large festivals.

Opening hours – Most historic sites (Janus Stones, Drumskinny Circle, war memorials) are open year‑round with no formal opening hours. The Castle Archdale Marina operates seasonally for water‑sport hire, typically from April to October, with opening times displayed on‑site.

Public transport – Bus services run from Enniskillen to Pettigo, stopping a short walk from the River Termon bridge on the Tullyhommon side. The nearest train station is Enniskillen, about 12 km away, with connections to Dublin and Belfast. Taxis are available from Enniskillen and larger towns in County Donegal.

Visitor information – While there is no dedicated visitor centre, the Termon Complex offers information leaflets, free Wi‑Fi and a small exhibition on the border’s shared heritage. For further details on events such as the annual festival, check the community’s Facebook page or local notice boards.

Civic centre contact – The community hub can be reached at The Townhall, 2 Townhall Street, Enniskillen, BT74 7BA; phone +44 0300 303 1777.

Getting There

• Coordinates: 54° 33′ 06″ N, 7° 49′ 34″ W (lat 54.5517, lon ‑7.8261) – altitude approx. 302 ft (92 m).
• Nearest airports: Enniskillen/St Angelo (≈ 12.6 mi) and Derry (≈ 42 mi).
• Roads: A509 from Enniskillen, N15 from Donegal; both routes are well‑signed and cross the border without delay.
• Parking: Free car‑parks at Rossmore Point, Castle Archdale Marina and the stone‑circle sites.
• Public transport: Bus service from Enniskillen to Pettigo (stop a few minutes’ walk from the river bridge). Nearest train station at Enniskillen.

Overall, Tullyhommon offers a blend of quiet natural beauty, poignant history and cross‑border community spirit, making it an off‑the‑beaten‑track destination for travellers seeking authentic Irish experiences.