Enniskillen Castle Museums
| County: | Co. Fermanagh |
| Tel: | 028-6632 5000 |
| Fax: | 028-6632 7342 |
| Email: | castle@fermanagh.gov.uk |
Dating back to the 15th Century, this impressive castle overlooks Lough Erne on the west side of Enniskillen. Originally a Gaelic Maguire stronghold, the site developed as a military barracks in the 18th and 19th Century. This popular family attraction includes Fermanagh County Museum with awardwinning displays on Fermanagh’s history, wildlife and landscape with audio-visual programmes and a rolling programme of special exhibitions. The newly refurbished Castle Keep contains the Inniskilling Museum and the medieval Maguires display.
Our permanent galleries contain award-winning displays on Fermanagh's history, wildlife and landscape and a rolling programme of special exhibitions throughout the year featuring art, archaeology, local history and cultural heritage. There are several different buildings located within the Enniskillen Castle complex and each building is devoted to a part of the story of the castle and the county.
General Information
| Address: | Castle Barracks, Enniskillen, Fermanagh |
|---|---|
| Telephone; | 028-6632 5000 |
| Fax: | 028-6632 7342 |
| Email: | castle@fermanagh.gov.uk |
| Website: | http://www.enniskillencastle.co.uk |
| Location: | Fermanagh |
| Season: | All Year |
| Tours: | Max No: 120 Duration: 1 hr Languages: English |
| Booking Contact: | Catherine Scott |
| Manager: | Sarah McHugh |
| Average Visit Length: | 1 hour |
| Entrance Fees: |
Adult: Stg£3.50 Child: Stg£2.50 Family: Stg£9.50 |
| Audio Visual: | Seating: 40, Duration: 20 minutes Language: English |
| Exhibition: | Permanent displays are of Fermanagh’s long history, folklife and development of Enniskillen Castle. |
| Restaurant: | No |
| Picnic Area: | Yes |
| Shop: | Yes |
| Information Guide: | English, French, German, Spanish & Italian |
| Coach Parking: | Yes |
| Group Booking Necessary: | Yes |
| Car Parking: | Yes |
| Disabled Access/Parking: | Disabled access to all buildings except 1st and 2nd floor of Castle keep |
Education
Enniskillen Castle prides itself on its well established and award winning education service. Undertake a fully guided tour of the castle/museum or a specific curriculum linked education programme, such as:
• Life in Early/Prehistoric Times
• Vikings
• Life in Medieval Ireland
• New Settlers in the Early 17th Century (Plantation)
• Life in the Recent Past (1930s-1950s)
• World War Two
• Accessing Art
• Leisure and Tourism - Enniskillen Castle case study
A programme may combine handling collections, artefacts, re-enactment, displays, role-play, replicas and interactive CD Rom. The service provides worksheets, clipboards and all materials required for your visit*, and there is the added bonus of lunch room and coach parking. The service has a ‘direct teaching’ approach so that you can relax while Museum staff present the programme to your group.*subject to availability
Exhibitions at Enniskillen Castles Museum
Fermanagh Museum - The County Museum’s award winning displays ‘Country People, Country Places: The Making of a Landscape’ give an insight into Fermanagh’s natural history, archaeology and rural lifestyle. The Inniskillings Museum, housed in the Castle Keep, covers the history of the Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers. It features a wide range of uniforms, weapons, regimental memorabilia and medals, including eight Victoria Crosses awarded during World War 1 and the bugle that sounded in 1916 at the Battle of the Somme. Castle Keep: The Keep incorporates the remains of the original medieval castle of the Maguires
Opening Times
Oct-Apr:
Mon: 14.00 - 17.00 / Tue - Fri: 10.00 - 17.00 / Sat & Sun: Closed
May, Jun & Sept:
Mon & Sat: 14.00 - 17.00 / Tue - Fri: 10.00 - 17.00 / Sun Closed
Jul & Aug:
Sat, Sun, & Mon: 14.00 - 17.00 / Tue - Fri: 10.00 - 17.00
What's On
24 May – 30 September : The Dunkirk Deliverance – Commemorating the 70th anniversary of the Dunkirk Evacuation
Enniskillen’s two regiments, the Inniskilling Fusiliers and the Dragoon Guards, were both in the British Expeditionary Force sent to France in 1939. They were subsequently evacuated from the harbour at Dunkirk. The exhibition will tell their story and that of the two Irish infantry regiments in the campaign, the Ulster Rifles and the Irish Fusiliers. Normal Admission Rates Apply
11 June – 12 September : Whitewash and Thatch Architectural Drawings from the 1930s & 1940s.
This exhibition, on loan from the National Museum of Ireland–Country Life Museum, explores the materials, craftsmanship and forms of traditional Irish houses This exhibition is a fascinating study of traditional houses from work undertaken in the 1930s and 1940s. On display in this exhibition are wonderfully detailed plans, elevations, drawings and paintings of vernacular houses by a group of students from the School of Architecture in University College, Dublin in the 1940s. Normal Admission Rates Apply
11 June – 12 September : The Fermanagh Hearth: Drawings & Folk Art Figures from Johnny McKeagney
Complementing the ‘Whitewash and Thatch’ exhibition, this display highlights a series of carved wooden figures capturing rural traditions and characters, belonging to Tempo collector, local historian and artist, Johnny McKeagney. The display also includes examples of Johnny McKeagney’s stunning drawings, recording in minute detail the history and heritage contained in Fermanagh. Normal Admission Rates Apply
26 June - 21 July, Sacred
This exhibition includes The Prayer Project by Daphne Wright, a multi-screen installation comprising of film portraits exploring the mystery of the intensely private and personal moment of prayer and meditation. Other artists include John Byrne, Gary Coyle, Fergus Martin, Paul Seawright, Susan MacWilliam, Patricia Kelly, Stephen Dillon and Cian Donnelly. There will be a one-day seminar/conversation to coincide with the exhibition, exploring the relationship between contemporary art and Sacred on June 26th. For more details and to book a place email sacredproject@ireland.com. Places limited.
Saturday 10 July, Living History - Medieval Siege Machine Models, 2.30pm – 3.30pm
Meet a costumed guide who will demonstrate how Medieval siege machines operated. Have a go using the model siege machine. Fun for all the family. Normal admission rates apply.
Saturday 17 July, Living History - Medieval Food, 2.30pm – 3.30pm
Meet a costumed guide who will demonstrate a Medieval Gaelic banquet exploring the foodstuff, costume and traditions of Enniskillen Castle. Fun for all the family. Normal admission rates apply.
Saturday 24 July, Living History - Medieval Quill Writing, 2.30pm – 3.30pm
Meet a costumed guide who will demonstrate quill writing. Have a go at creating your own literary masterpiece. Fun for all the family. Normal admission rates apply.
Saturday 31 July, Guided Tour of Enniskillen Castle, 2.30pm – 3.30pm
Learn about the history of the Castle from its origins as a Medieval Maguire Castle to its later history as a military barracks. Normal admission rates apply.
1 August - 29 August 2010 : Saturday & Sunday afternoons: 2pm – 4.30pm - Floating World Book Workshops
In conjunction with August Craft Month, slow down and make your own book in a series of drop-in workshops. For all ages and skills. Floating World artists will be on hand to help you create a book using low and high tech methods. The group have exhibited work in different venues from Enniskillen Townhall to Tate Britain. Admission FREE
Saturday 7 August: Living History - Medieval Siege Machine Models, 2.30pm – 3.30pm
Meet a costumed guide who will demonstrate how Medieval siege machines operated. Have a go using the model siege machine. Fun for all the family. Normal admission rates apply.
Tuesday 10 – Friday 13 August, Culture-ALL Summer School, 9.30am – 3.30pm
A Summer School of activities coinciding with the Whitewash & Thatch exhibition. A variety of workshops will take place over the four days. Suitable for children aged 8 –12. Prior booking essential as places are limited. £25 fee. To make a booking telephone 028 6632 5000 from NI or 048 6632 5000 from ROI
Saturday 14 August, Living History - Medieval Food, 2.30pm – 3.30pm
Meet a costumed guide who will demonstrate a Medieval Gaelic banquet exploring the foodstuff, costume and traditions of Enniskillen Castle. Fun for all the family. Normal admission rates apply.
Monday 16 August – Friday 20 August, FUN-FOR-ALL Summer School, 2.00pm – 5.00pm
A Summer School of art & craft activities. Suitable for children aged 6 – 12. Prior booking essential as places are limited. £2.50 per afternoon session or £10 for the week. To make a booking telephone 028 6632 5000 from NI or 048 6632 5000 from ROI
Saturday 21 August - Living History - Medieval Quill Writing, 2.30pm – 3.30pm
Meet a costumed guide who will demonstrate quill writing. Have a go at creating your own literary masterpiece. Fun for all the family.
Normal admission rates apply.
Saturday 28 August 2010 - Guided Tour of Enniskillen Castle, 2.30pm – 3.30pm
Learn about the history of the Castle from its origins as a Medieval Maguire Castle to its later history as a military barracks. Normal admission rates apply.
30 August 2010 - Family Fun Day, 2pm – 5pm
An afternoon of fun and culture for all the family. Enjoy a celebration of Fermanagh's traditions and multiculturalism with performances, Indian foods and crafts, workshops, arts & crafts, music and other fun family entertainment. Admission FREE
Saturday 11 & Sunday 12 September - European Heritage Open Days, 2pm – 5pm
Annual free opening day at cultural sites throughout Northern Ireland. Visitors are welcome to visit Enniskillen Castle Museums free of charge over this weekend. Admission Free
Saturday 18 September - Friends Annual Outing – Museum of Country Life, Turlough House, Co. Mayo
This year’s annual outing of the Friends of Fermanagh County Museum will be to Mayo. Charge Applies. Price to be confirmed.
29 September – 3 October, Fermanagh Arts Festival
Special exhibition to coincide with this year’s Art’s Festival. Details to be confirmed. Admission FREE
Saturday 30 October - Halloween Extravaganza, 2pm – 5pm
Annual Halloween Event at Enniskillen Castle Museums. Fun for all the family. Story telling, spooky goings-on, workshops, children’s entertainment and much more! Admission by ticket only. (Tickets on sale from 1 September) Under 2's go free. Prior booking essential as places are limited. Contact Museum Reception, Enniskillen Castle Museums at 44 (0) 28 6632 5000.
Friday 10 December, Mulled Wine & Mince Pies at the Museum: An Afternoon of Christmas Shopping at the Castle, 12pm – 3pm
A chance to browse around the museum shop for that all-important Christmas gift. Gift wrapping service available. Mulled wine & mince pies served. Admission FREE.
