Enniskillen factfile

How to get to Enniskillen
Enniskillen is in the west of Northern Ireland and is situated on a natural island that separates the Upper and Lower sections of Lough Erne. Although there is no train station in Enniskillen, it's part of an extensive bus network.

The town even has its own airport (St Angelo Airport) although there are no scheduled flights—it is used by private air traffic only. The town is 83 miles (134 km) from Belfast along the A4 and M1.

How Enniskillen got its name
The name Enniskillen comes from the Irish "Inis Ceithleann" or "Kathleen's Island". It's thought to be named after an ancient queen who drowned there.

Enniskillen through the ages
When the island of Enniskillen was captured by the English near the beginning of the 17th century, the Maguire chieftains were replaced by William Cole.

A Jacobite siege was repelled in 1689. Enniskillen went on to develop not only as a market town but also as a garrison. It is the only town in the British Isles to have raised two regiments.

Shopping in Enniskillen
Enniskillen is the main retail centre for the whole of County Fermanagh. The shopping there combines high street stores with local businesses. More unusual purchases can be found at the Craft and Design Centre, on the site of the former Buttermarket.

Things to see and do in Enniskillen
The expansive Lough Erne that lies all around Enniskillen is perfect for a relaxing walk, and for the more energetic there are water sports on offer too. The lough has also hosted stages of the International Water Ski Federation World Cup several times.

Famous landmarks in Enniskillen
Aside from the lough, perhaps the best-known landmark is Enniskillen Castle. It overlooks Lough Erne and was built around 600 years ago by the Gaelic Maguires to protect one of the few passes into Ulster. There are two museums at Enniskillen Castle, one about the county of Fermanagh and the other telling the story of The Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers Regiment.

Famous people from Enniskillen
Samuel Beckett and Oscar Wilde both went to school in Enniskillen.