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 In the very heart of County Fermanagh in Northern Ireland , lies Enniskillen an attractive town built onto a hilly island in the centre of Lough Erne.
For centuries the town of Enniskillen has commanded the river passage way between Upper and Lower Lough Erne, once the main inland route to the north of Ireland and a stop off point for ancient pilgrims on their way to Lough Derg and St Patrick's Purgatory in Donegal .
The town centre is built onto an Island Drumlin in the centre of the Lough and is dominated by Enniskillen Castle , which has stood here, in one shape or form, for 400 years and houses two interesting museums. Another Enniskillen institution is the Portora Royal School, which educated some of Ireland's most famous playwrights in Oscar Wilde and Samuel Beckett and one of Irelands best neoclassical buildings; Castle Coole is situated just outside the town.
Enniskillen was an important post for the Plantation of Ulster, when the Maguire clan were replaced by the Cole's as the leading figures of the town. From the 18th and 19th Centuries Enniskillen was known for its lace-making industry and up until World War One there were around 10 lace schools in County Fermanagh.
In more recent times Enniskillen, which up until 1987 remained relatively untouched by the troubles was hit when an IRA bomb killed 11 innocent civilians during a service on Remembrance Sunday. However this proved to be a turning point in the troubles providing much of the initiative for peace. The two communities in Enniskillen came closer together determined to strike accord for the benefit of their town and indeed their mutual co-operation helped win Enniskillen an award for Best Kept Town in Ireland in 2000.
Enniskillen is ideally situated for exploring the Lakeland of Fermanagh, taking a cruise along Lough Erne, stopping off at some of the tiny isles in the Lough, exploring the ancient monastic settlement on Devenish Island or game fishing in some of Ireland's most renowned waters.
At the Cuilcagh Mountain Park in the sprawling drumlins bordering County Cavan, you'll find the excellent show caves of Marble Arch carved out of the limestone hills by underground rivers.
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