Overview
Spend an enriching two days exploring Fermanagh’s Lough Erne Pilgrim Way. Follow the path of the pilgrims who navigated these waters and lands spreading Christianity from place to place for centuries. Visit lands touched by Saints, Scholars, poets, and natives where history and healing wells sit among the ruins of churches and graveyards. Combine spiritual experiences with fun activities, leisurely walks, water sports, great food, local seasonal menus, and a haircut in a railway museum!
Visit Belle Isle Estate.
Start your trip at the famous Belle Isle Castle and Estate, situated on the northern tip of Upper Lough Erne, where you can explore the Lough and local lands further. Please be aware the Castle & Estate are private, however are available for accommodation and private events. belle-isle.com. The Annals of Ulster were compiled here at Belle Isle by the scribe Ruaidhrí Ó Luinín, under his patron Cathal Óg Mac Maghnusa, and a large stone attesting to this sits at the entrance to the Estate.
Visit Cleenish Island.
Nearby, you can visit the peaceful Cleenish Island, known as the sloping island, where St. Sinnell founded his monastery and school in the early 6th century. St. Columbanus was a pupil of St. Sinnell and his fellow monks. They taught many subjects locally and took Christianity to the local islands and communities from here.
Visit Derryvullan.
Close by Derryvullan is home to several interesting gravestones and carvings, and the remains of a former church. Nearby is a holy well, now no longer visible. Tradition has it that this was one of the wells where St Patrick undertook baptisms. Many still visit the circular spring which flows two ways, to take a cure from the site to this day.
Visit Old Rossorry.
On your return to Enniskillen, make time to visit Old Rossorry where St. Fanchea founded her church. St. Fanchea created a place of sanctuary, which is now a graveyard, with little evidence of her immense works remaining. From here you can see the nearby waters which the Saint and her pilgrims would have used to travel and take the Christianity message to the masses from here to Devenish and the many islands and communities around Lough Erne.
How to get to Enniskillen.
Enniskillen is 90 minutes by road from Belfast, and 2 hours by road from Dublin. Bus services operate from Belfast and Dublin city centres, and airport transfer buses to Enniskillen operate hourly from Dublin aircoach.ie and regularly from Belfast Grand Central Station Translink*. Boats from UK and Europe sail into Larne, Dublin, and Rosslare ports. Enniskillen is easily accessible from all main roads. There are no direct train routes to Enniskillen. Belle Isle, Derryvullan, Cleenish are all around 10- 20 minutes from Enniskillen by car. Regular buses run from Enniskillen to Lisbellaw and Maguiresbridge, check translink.co.uk/timetables.translink.co.uk/timetables. Old Rossorry is a fifteen-minute walk from Enniskillen bus station.
What to do nearby.
Spend a day at Share Discovery Village – where a plethora of activities water sports, arts and dry lad activities await. Choose kayaking, sailing, canoeing, or take a bike or a hike through the forest trails. The village offers arts and crafts from t-shirt making to bush crafts. Build a shelter or learn how to cook in a bush craft workshop.
Fancy an easier day, take a visit to Florence Court house and gardens. Explore the house on a guided tour or walk the many paths around the estate. Florence Court is home to the first ever Irish Yew, planted over 250 years ago, so why not try and find the ‘mother yew’. Wander through the woodland or take in the newly restored kitchen walled garden. There is a café on site, as well as a shop and bookshop. nationaltrust.org.uk/visit/northern-ireland/florence-courtnationaltrust.org.uk/visit/northern-ireland/florence-court
If you are closer to Enniskillen town, then take a visit to Headhunters Barber Shop & Railway Museum, enjoy the golden age of steam travel with one of the largest collections of railway memorabilia, and get a haircut at the same time! For children large and small, the railway histories combining hundreds of years of rail from across Ireland. Museum is free, haircuts are optional! headhuntersmuseum.comheadhuntersmuseum.com
Where to eat?
In Florencecourt village you will find the Tully Mill Restaurant, nestled in the foothills of Benaughlin and Cuilcagh mountains. They’re known for their warm, welcoming atmosphere and delicious dishes, and are committed to providing an exceptional dining experience from the minute you walk through their door.
Or enjoy delicious food at 28 At The Hollow perfectly prepared using only the best locally sourced ingredients. Open: Tuesday & Wednesday – Dinner / Thursday to Saturday – Lunch & Dinner. 28atthehollow.com
Where to stay?
With so many amazing locations, you are spoilt for choice and accommodation type. Check out National Trust Holiday Cottages at Crom Estate, where you can canoe or boat right up to the water’s edge and stay in a gorgeous cottage on the estate. Just park up, unwind and take the area at your leisure, pack a picnic, and go island hopping from here! nationaltrust.org.uk/holidays/northern-ireland.nationaltrust.org.uk/holidays/northern-ireland. Crom Estate has many walking trails and is home to lots of flora, fauna, and special residents – see the wild deer, pine marten, red squirrels and many rare species including butterflies can all of which be found on the estate.
Or check into Share Discovery Village for self-catering, camping, glamping and caravanning it has a host of activities on land and water to enjoy too. The site also has a gym and swimming pool. Ideal for a few days of
Something quirky!
Fancy sampling some local culinary excellence – why not join a guided walking tour of Enniskillen with a difference! Every Saturday Enniskillen Taste Experience shares the culinary delights of the town’s businesses from drinks to food, starting at 1am, the tour covers gourmet food and drinks as you take in the sights of Enniskillen Island town. Duration 3 hours. enniskillentasteexperience.com
(Pit stops, e.g. toilets)
Public toilets are located in Maguiresbridge and in Lisbellaw.
