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County Fermanagh

(Redirected from Fermanagh)
County Fermanagh
Image:NorthernIrelandFermanagh.png
Area: 1,691 kmē
Population: 55,000 (estimate)
Province: Ulster

County Fermanagh (Contae Fear Manach in Irish) is the westernmost of the six counties that form Northern Ireland (United Kingdom). It belongs to the province of Ulster. Fermanagh is often referred to as Ireland's Lake District. The county is approximately 120 km from Belfast and 160 km from Dublin.

The county borders County Tyrone (Northern Ireland) to the north-east, County Monaghan (Republic of Ireland) to the south-east, County Cavan (ROI) and County Leitrim (ROI) to the south-west and County Donegal (ROI) to the north-west. Fermanagh is the only county of Northern Ireland not to border onto Lough Neagh.

Fermanagh is also the name of one of the 26 district councils in Northern Ireland which contains all of the county it is named after, plus a small section of County Tyrone in the Dromore and Kilskeery road areas.

Geography

Map from www.irelandstory.com
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Map from www.irelandstory.com

County Fermanagh is a predominantly rural region with its geography dominated by two lakes: Upper Lough Erne and Lower Lough Erne. These 70 km worth of lakes are known collectively as Lough Erne, are now linked to the River Shannon and its waterways, via the Shannon-Erne Waterway Canal, making the entire system the longest navigable inland waterway in Europe. Smaller lakes in the county include Lough Scolborn . In addition, Fermanagh shares many lakes: Lough Melvin (with the Republic of Ireland), Lough Macnean Upper and Lough Macnean Lower (both lying on the Irish border).

The peak of Cuilcagh , part of the Cuilcagh Mountains range, on the Fermanagh/Cavan border (ie. the Irish border) is the highest point in Fermanagh (665 metres, 2182 feet). Other mountains/ranges include Tappghan Mountain (on the border with Tyrone), Brougher Mountain (on the border with Tyrone), Molly Mountain , Slieve Rushen (on the border with Cavan, ROI), Derrin Mountain and Slieve Beagh on the Tyonre/Irish borders).

Much of the western and eastern areas of the county are forested.


Agriculture and tourism are some of the most important industries in Fermanagh. Attractions include the Marble Arch Caves, and the Belleek Pottery.

The main town of Fermanagh is Enniskillen (Inis Ceithleann, Ceithleann's island). The island town hosts a range of attractions including Enniskillen castle which is home to the museum of The Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers and the 5th Royal Inniskilling Dragoon Guards. IRA hunger-striker Bobby Sands was Member of Parliament for the area for a short time before his death in 1981.


Attractions outside of Enniskillen include:

  • The Belleek Pottery
  • Devenish Island
  • Florencecourt
  • Loch Navar Forest Park
  • The Marble Arch Caves

List of cities, towns and settlements in Fermanagh

  • Arney
  • Ballinamalland , Bellannaleck , Belcoo , Beleek , Boho , Brookeborough
  • Clabby , Clonelly
  • Derrygonnelly, Derrylin, Donagh , Drumskinny
  • Ederney , Enniskillen
  • Garrison
  • Holywell
  • Irvinestown
  • Kesh , Killadeas , Kinawley
  • Lack , Letterbreen , Lisbellow , Lisnarrick , Lisnaskea
  • Mackan , Magherakeely , Maguiresbridge , Monea
  • Newtownbutler
  • Rosslea
  • Springfield
  • Tamlaght , Teemore , Tempo , Tully
  • Wheathill

Related links

Last updated: 06-02-2005 17:18:07
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