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
Free Making History Family Event
St Patrick's Day - 17th March 2010 - 14.00 - 17.00
Admission Free
Traditional Foods, Crafts & Family Fun at Enniskillen Castle Museums including weaving, potting, carving, & traditional cooking.
Other Events
Saturday 6th March - Weaving History - 10.00-13.00 / 14.00-17.00 / £3.50
A hands on opportunity to crate your own piece of weaving history.
Saturday 13th March - Carving History - 10.00-13.00 / 14.00-17.00 / £3.50
A hands-on opportunity to create your own piece of carving history.
Monday 15th March - Digging History - 14.00-17.00 / Free
A hands-on opportunity to practice the art of discovering history.
Tuesday 16th March - Digging History - 14.00-17.00 / Free
A hands-on opportunity to practise the art of discovering history.
Thursday 18th March - Digging History - 14.00-17.00 / Free
A hands-on opportunity to practise the art of discovering history.
Friday 19th March - Digging History - 14.00-17.00 / Free
A hands-on opportunity to practise the art of discovering history.
Saturday 20th March - Potting History - 10.00-13.00 / 14.00-17.00 / £3.50
A hands-on opportunity to create your own piece of potting history.
Saturday 27th March - Edible History - 10.00-13.00 / 14.00-17.00 / £3.50
A hands-on opportunity to sample cooking history.
2nd Annual Maguire History Weekend: 14th - 16th May
Building on last year's event, the weekend sees a varied programme, exploring aspects of the Maguire history of Fermanagh, from chalices, to important historical sites to family history research.
Friday 14th May:
The opening night coincides with International Night of the Museums.
19.30 - The evening reception begins with a keynote lecture given by Michael Kenny, Keeper of the Art & Industry Division, National Museum of Ireland. He will be telling the story of the Gold Chalice and Paten of King Cuchonnacht Maguire, dated 1529, recently acquired by the National Museum. The talk will be followed by music, poetry and refreshments. 21.30 event finishes.
Saturday 15th May:
11.00 - Field trip to Cornashee Maguire inauguration site, led by Ronan McHugh, Prinicipal Surveyor, Queen's University Belfast.
13.00 - Sandwich Lunch (Included)
14.00 - Field trip to important Maguire sites at Balfour Castle, Aghalurcher and Knockninny, led by local historian, Vicky Herbert.
16.00 - Conclusion of afternoon activities.
Sunday 16th May:
14.00 - 17.00 - Family History Roadshow. Local genealogist, Frankie Roofe, will be on hand to give one-to-one advice on the different resources available for researching Fermanagh family histories.
The cost for the weekend, including the evening reception and talk, field trips and lunch on the Saturday is £25 per person (£20.00 for Friends of Fermanagh County Museum). The Family History individual 10-minute sessions on the Sunday are free but need to be booked in advance on a first-come basis. To request a booking form for the weekend, please contact:
Enniskillen Castle Museums
Enniskillen
County Fermanagh
Tel: 028 6632 5000 (NI)
Tel: 048 6632 5000 (ROI)
Email: castle@fermanagh.gov.uk
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
