The Lakelands

The County of Fermanagh is the perfect destination for water lovers, which may seem strange as it does not have a coastline. However, the county has a wealth of lakes and loughs. Lough Erne is the name given to two connected lakes in Fermanagh, Upper Lough Erne and Lower Lough Erne, making it the second biggest lough in Northern Ireland. You can explore the water by island hopping in kayaks, water taxis, cruises or by walking and cycling on the waterside. The Lough is home to many little islands. Devenish Island is an island in the lower lough and is home to a round tower thought to have been built in the twelfth century and inhabited by monks. White Island is also in lower Lough Erne and is the home to many monastic ruins and six very peculiar stone figures, believed to represent pilgrims. Water Taxis travel to and from the islands daily from Enniskillen for those wanting to explore these magical islands which make for a lovely day out. The area is also home to an array of estates and castles, many of which were built by wealthy English landowners during the Plantation of Ulster, with most now being owned by the National Trust. Crom Estate, Castle Coole, Castle Archdale and Florence Court are all large estates filled with acres of waterside and forest walks making Fermanagh the perfect family destination. You can also make the journey to the centre of the earth just 25 minutes outside of Enniskillen Town at the Marble Arch Caves. The Caves are home to one of the finest show caves in Europe, allowing visitors to explore the natural limestone caves. The caves are formed by rivers draining off the slopes of the nearby Cuilcagh Mountain, which brings us to probably the most magical place in Fermanagh and arguably the whole of Northern Ireland. Nicknamed the ‘Stairway to Heaven’, Cuilcagh Mountain is situated just 45 minutes from Enniskillen and is a 33km route that encapsulates the surrounding area by the iconic wooden boardwalk. It is a challenging climb but the view at the top is promising and is literally breath-taking. If you are planning on splashing out you can also visit the luxurious Lough Erne Resort, which once welcomed world leaders back in 2013 when hosting the G8 Summit. For the shoppers, the local Erneside Shopping Centre is home to over 30 stores and cafes. If you are feeing peckish you can visit the local Happiness Trap Coffee Shop and if you are ravenous, Granny Annies Bar and Kitchen is located in the heart of the town.