Enniskillen Castle

Enniskillen Castle stands on an island where the River Erne splits in two, in the centre of Enniskillen, County Fermanagh. The original fortress was built in the early 15th century and rebuilt many times. Today it holds two museums side by side. The Fermanagh County Museum shows the area’s past from ancient times to the present. The Inniskillings Museum tells the story of two local regiments. The castle has seen sieges, massacres and changes of ownership over four centuries. It was besieged three times between 1594 and 1595 and changed hands several times before becoming a British stronghold. In the 17th century it was remodelled as a barracks and later housed the 27th Regiment of Foot. After the regiment left, the barracks became a Territorial Army depot and finally opened to the public. Visitors walk through the central tower keep and along the curtain wall with small turrets. The Watergate tower shows strong Scottish influence with its two corbelled circular tourelles. Inside, the Fermanagh County Museum displays prehistory, natural history and Belleek Pottery. The Inniskillings Museum holds regimental uniforms, medals and archives. The riverside setting and the castle’s stonework give a clear view of the town and the surrounding waterways.