About 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.

Enniskillen town centre is firmly built along the long, narrow Main St, which actually changes name six times along its length!

The Lough is very close to the town. Moorings just outside the town centre certainly ease the pressure for parking spaces and add a continental feel to the town. Enniskillen is a retail centre for the County, and beyond, and a lively hub of activities, events and things to do throughout the year.

The town's oldest building is the Maguire's stone castle, built by Hugh the Hospitable who died in 1428.

Places of Interest

  • Ardhowen Theatre
  • Castle Coole
  • Cole's Monument
  • Enniskillen Castle
  • St Macartin's Cathedral
  • The Diamond and Town Hall

 

People

The following are people born or brought up in or around Enniskillen. Locally, people are only considered to be truly from Enniskillen if they were born "between the bridges", i.e. on the island.

Oscar Wilde, satirist and playwright, educated at Portora Royal School
Neil Hannon, lead singer/composer of the pop band The Divine Comedy educated at Portora Royal School
Samuel Beckett, playwright, educated at Portora Royal School
Roy Carroll, goalkeeper for Derby County FC
Declan Burns, Irish Kayaking legend, Three-time Irish Olympic representitive and former World Superstars Runner-up
Cathal Owens, Irish Kayaking Champion. Navigated The Erne Shannon Waterway in the 1960's.
Jim Cleary, former Glentoran footballer and member of Northern Ireland's 1982 World Cup squad.
Adrian Dunbar, actor, born and brought up in Enniskillen
Frank Hoy, professional wrestler, was born in the town
David Robinson, photographer and publisher, educated at Portora Royal School
Edward Kernan, a Roman Catholic bishop
Kyle Lafferty, striker, professional football player for Rangers and Northern Ireland international.
Charles Lawson, most notable for playing Jim McDonald in Coronation Street
Andrew Little (footballer), professional football player for Rangers and Northern Ireland international.
Henry Francis Lyte, hymn composer, most notably Abide With Me, educated at Portora Royal School
Nial Fulton, film and television producer, educated at Portora Royal School
Bobby Kerr, Olympic 100 m gold medalist in the 1908 Olympics for Canada
Michael McGovern, goalkeeper, currently with Ross County F.C.
Ciarán McMenamin, television actor
Frank Ormsby, poet
Claire Falconer, actress and painter
Seán Quinn, entrepreneur and Ireland's richest man (originally from Derrylin)
Duke of Westminster, formerly the UK's richest man, brought up at the family's estate at Ely Lodge
David McCann, author of children's books
Mick Softley singer and song writer for Bob Dylan, currently lives in the town
Gordon Wilson (peace campaigner), peace campaigner and Irish senator
Ron Wilson (newsreader) is a news anchor with Network Ten in Australia
Gavin Noble, Irish international triathlete
Edward Cooney, evangelist and early leader of the Cooneyite and Go-Preacher sects, educated at Portora Royal School