County Fermanagh is Northern Ireland's lake district — about a third of the county is covered by water. Here's your complete guide to this stunning area.
County Fermanagh in the west of Northern Ireland is one of the island's most beautiful and least-visited destinations — a landscape of shimmering lakes, ancient islands, and spectacular cave systems.
Lough Erne The centrepiece of Fermanagh is Lough Erne — actually two interconnected lakes (Upper and Lower Lough Erne) stretching 50 miles through the county. With over 150 islands, many bearing ancient monastic remains, and surrounded by wooded hills, Lough Erne is one of Ireland's most beautiful lake systems.
Enniskillen The county town of Fermanagh sits on an island in the River Erne between the two loughs, making it one of Ireland's most dramatically situated towns. Key attractions include Enniskillen Castle (now housing two excellent museums), the town's fine Victorian streetscape, and the excellent restaurant scene.
Marble Arch Caves One of Ireland's most spectacular natural attractions, the Marble Arch Caves are a UNESCO Global Geopark. Guided tours take you by boat and on foot through extensive cave systems, past underground rivers, waterfalls, and ancient stalagmites. Pre-booking is essential.
Devenish Island Accessible by boat from Trory Point near Enniskillen, Devenish Island contains a remarkable collection of early Christian remains including a perfectly preserved 12th-century round tower (Ireland's tallest), an Augustinian priory, and a small medieval church. One of Ireland's finest monastic sites.
Castle Coole The National Trust's Castle Coole is one of Ireland's finest neo-classical mansions, built in the 1790s by the Earl of Belmore. The interior is particularly stunning, with Regency furniture and magnificent plasterwork. The wooded grounds are home to a colony of greylag geese.
Crom Estate Another National Trust property, the Crom Estate on the shores of Upper Lough Erne features ancient woodland, two ruined castles, and superb wildlife, including some of Ireland's oldest yew trees.
Getting to Fermanagh Enniskillen is approximately 80 miles from Belfast — about 1 hour 20 minutes by private transfer. Our Fermanagh Lakelands private tour from Belfast covers Marble Arch Caves, Devenish Island, and Enniskillen in a single (long) day.