Enniskillen Castle

Places to See | Co. Fermanagh, Northern Ireland.

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Enniskillen Castle, situated beside the River Erne in County Fermanagh, was built almost 600 years ago by Gaelic Maguires. Guarding one of the few passes into Ulster, it was strategically important throughout its history and therefore one of the main castles in Northern Ireland. In the 17th century it became an English garrison fort and later served as part of a military barracks.

The Castle provided the main defence for the west end of the Co Fermanagh town and guarded the Sligo road. It consists of two sections, a central tower keep and a curtain wall which was strengthened with small turrets called Bartizans. The design of the castle has strong Scottish influences. This can be particularly seen in the Watergate, which features two corbelled circular tourelles which were probably built about 1609. Since then it has been substantially rebuilt.

This historic site houses two museums, Fermanagh County Museum and the regimental museums of the Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers and the 5th Royal Inniskilling Dragoon Guards.  The museums relate the areas prehistory, natural history and the history of the castle as well as Uniforms, flags and other regimental and military memorabilia.

A boat trip on the Erne is a useful way of understanding the positioning of the castle and its use as a defensive building.

Address: Eniskillen Castle, Enniskillen, Co. Fermanagh BT74 7HL

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