County Fermanagh | |
|---|---|
 Coat of arms | |
| Nickname: The Lakeland County | |
| Motto: | |
 | |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Constituent country | Northern Ireland |
| Province | Ulster |
| Established | 1584/85 |
| County town | Enniskillen |
| Area | |
• Total | 715 sq mi (1,851 km2) |
| • Land | 653 sq mi (1,691 km2) |
| • Rank | 25th |
| Highest elevation (Cuilcagh) | 2,182 ft (665 m) |
| Population (2021) | 63,585 |
| • Rank | 29th[1] |
| Time zone | UTC±0 (GMT) |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC+1 (BST) |
| Postcode area | |
| Area code | 028 |
| Contae Fhear Manach is theIrish name;Countie Fermanagh,[2]Coontie Fermanagh[3] andCoontie Fermanay[4] areUlster Scots spellings (the latter used only by Dungannon & South Tyrone Borough Council). | |
County Fermanagh (/fərˈmænə/fər-MAN-ə; fromIrishFir Manach / Fear Manach, meaning 'men of Manach') is one of thethirty-two counties ofIreland, one of the nine counties ofUlster and one of thesix counties ofNorthern Ireland.
The county covers an area of 1,691 km2 (653 sq mi) and had a population of 63,585 as of 2021.[5][6]Enniskillen is thecounty town and largest in both size and population.
Fermanagh is one of four counties of Northern Ireland to have a majority of its population from aCatholic background, according to the2011 census.[1]
Fermanagh spans an area of 1,851 km2 (715 sq; mi), accounting for 13.2% of the landmass of Northern Ireland. Nearly a third of the county is covered by lakes and waterways, including Upper and LowerLough Erne and theRiver Erne. Forests cover 14% of the landmass (42,000 hectares).[7] It is the only county in Northern Ireland that does not borderLough Neagh.
The county has three prominent upland areas:
The county borders:
Fermanagh is by far the least populous of Northern Ireland's six counties, with just over one-third the population ofTyrone, the next least populous county.
It is approximately 120 km (75 mi) fromBelfast and 160 km (99 mi) fromDublin. The county town, Enniskillen, is the largest settlement in Fermanagh, situated in the middle of the county.
The county enjoys atemperateoceanic climate (Cfb') with cool winters, mild humid summers, and a lack of temperature extremes, according to theKöppen climate classification.
TheNational Trust for Places of Historic Interest or Natural Beauty manages three sites of historic and natural beauty in the county:Crom Estate,Florence Court, andCastle Coole.
The oldest sediments in the county are found north of Lough Erne. These so-calledred beds were formed approximately 550 million years ago. Extensivesandstone can be found in the eastern part of the county, laid down during theDevonian, 400 million years ago. Much of the rest of the county's sediments areshale andlimestone dating from theCarboniferous, 354 to 298 million years ago. These softer sediments have produced extensive cave systems such as theShannon Cave, theMarble Arch Caves and theCaves of the Tullybrack and Belmore hills. The carboniferous shale exists in several counties of northwest Ireland, an area known colloquially as theLough Allen basin. The basin is estimated to contain 9.4 trillion cubic metres ofnatural gas, equivalent to 1.5 billionbarrels of oil.[8]
The county is situated over a sequence of prominent faults, primarily theKilladeas – Seskinore Fault, theTempo – Sixmilecross Fault, theBelcoo Fault and theClogher Valley Fault which cross-cuts Lough Erne.
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The Menapii are the only known Celtic tribe specifically named onPtolemy's 150 AD map ofIreland, where they located their first colony—Menapia—on theLeinster coastc. 216 BC. They later settled aroundLough Erne, becoming known as the Fir Manach, and giving their name toFermanagh andMonaghan.Mongán mac Fiachnai, a 7th-century King ofUlster, is the protagonist of several legends linking him withManannán mac Lir. They spread acrossIreland, evolving into historic Irish (also Scottish and Manx) clans.
TheAnnals of Ulster which cover medieval Ireland between AD 431 to AD 1540 were written at Belle Isle onLough Erne nearLisbellaw.
In the early 9th century, the Erne was considered to be the boundary ofConnacht andUlster, specifically the over-kingdom ofAirgíalla. The Fir Manach proper,Tirkennedy andMagherastephana, along withClankelly were part of the western Airgíalla group-kingdom of Uí Creamthainn with its seat atClogher, whereasLurg was associated with the northern Airgíalla branch of Uí Fiachrach centred atArdstraw.
Fermanagh was a stronghold of theMaguire clan and Donn Carrach Maguire (died 1302) was the first of the chiefs of the Maguire dynasty. However, on the confiscation of lands relating toHugh Maguire, Fermanagh was divided in a similar manner to the other five escheated counties among Scottish and English undertakers and native Irish. The baronies ofKnockninny andMagheraboy were allotted to Scottish undertakers, those ofClankelly,Magherastephana andLurg to English undertakers and those ofClanawley,Coole, andTyrkennedy, to servitors and natives. The chief families to benefit under the new settlement were the families of Cole, Blennerhasset, Butler, Hume, and Dunbar.
Fermanagh was made into a county by a statute ofElizabeth I, but it was not until the time of thePlantation of Ulster that it was finally brought under civil government.
The closure of all the lines ofGreat Northern Railway (Ireland) within County Fermanagh in 1957 left the county as the first non-island county in the UK without a railway service.
| Year | Pop. | ±% |
|---|---|---|
| 1653 | 5,498 | — |
| 1659 | 7,102 | +29.2% |
| 1821 | 130,997 | +1744.5% |
| 1831 | 149,763 | +14.3% |
| 1841 | 156,481 | +4.5% |
| 1851 | 116,047 | −25.8% |
| 1861 | 105,768 | −8.9% |
| 1871 | 92,794 | −12.3% |
| 1881 | 84,879 | −8.5% |
| 1891 | 74,170 | −12.6% |
| 1901 | 65,430 | −11.8% |
| 1911 | 61,836 | −5.5% |
| 1926 | 57,984 | −6.2% |
| 1937 | 54,569 | −5.9% |
| 1951 | 53,044 | −2.8% |
| 1961 | 51,531 | −2.9% |
| 1966 | 49,886 | −3.2% |
| 1971 | 50,255 | +0.7% |
| 1981 | 51,594 | +2.7% |
| 1991 | 54,033 | +4.7% |
| 2001 | 57,527 | +6.5% |
| 2011 | 61,805 | +7.4% |
| 2021 | 63,585 | +2.9% |
| [9][10][11][12][13][14] | ||
The county was administered byFermanagh County Council from 1899 until the abolition of county councils in Northern Ireland in 1973.[15] With the creation of Northern Ireland's district councils,Fermanagh District Council became the only one of the 26 that contained all of the county from which it derived its name. After the re-organisation of local government in 2015, Fermanagh was still the only county wholly within one council area, namelyFermanagh and Omagh District Council, albeit that it constituted only a part of that entity.
For the purposes of elections to the UK Parliament, the territory of Fermanagh is part of theFermanagh and South Tyrone Parliamentary Constituency. This constituency electedProvisional IRAhunger-strikerBobby Sands as a member of parliament in theApril 1981 Fermanagh and South Tyrone by-election, shortly before his death.
| Religion | Per cent | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Catholic | 58.8% | |||
| Protestant and Other Christian | 35.5% | |||
| None | 4.6% | |||
| Other faiths | 1.1% | |||
On Census Day (27 March 2011), the usually resident population ofFermanagh Local Government District, the borders of the district were very similar to those of the traditional County Fermanagh, was 61,805. Of these:[12]
On Census Day (2021), the usually resident population ofFermanagh Local Government District, the borders of the district were very similar to those of the traditional County Fermanagh, was 63,585. Of these:[16]
| Religion or religion brought up in | Number | (%) |
|---|---|---|
| Catholic | 37,399 | 58.8 |
| Protestant and other Christian | 22,559 | 35.5 |
| None (no religion) | 2,947 | 4.6 |
| Other | 680 | 1.1 |
| Total | 63,585 | 100.0 |
| Religion | Number | (%) |
|---|---|---|
| Christian | 55,892 | 87.9 |
| Catholic | 35,412 | 55.7 |
| Church of Ireland | 13,065 | 20.5 |
| Methodist | 2,552 | 4.0 |
| Presbyterian | 1,989 | 3.1 |
| Other Christian (including Christian related) | 2,874 | 4.5 |
| Protestant and Other Christian: Total | 20,480 | 32.2 |
| Other | 601 | 0.9 |
| Islam | 216 | 0.3 |
| Hinduism | 50 | 0.08 |
| Other religions | 335 | 0.5 |
| None/not stated | 7,092 | 11.2 |
| No religion | 5,885 | 9.3 |
| Religion not stated | 1,207 | 1.9 |
| Total | 63,585 | 100.0 |
| Ethnic group | Number | (%) |
|---|---|---|
| White: Total | 62,583 | 98.4 |
| White: British/Irish/Northern Irish/English/Scottish/Welsh (with or without non-UK or Irish national identities) | 60,244 | 94.7 |
| White: Other | 2,199 | 3.5 |
| White:Irish Traveller | 135 | 0.2 |
| White:Roma | 4 | 0.006 |
| Other ethnic groups: Total | 1,002 | 1.6 |
| Asian orAsian British | 501 | 0.8 |
| Black orBlack British | 122 | 0.2 |
| Mixed | 304 | 0.5 |
| Other: Any other ethnic group | 75 | 0.1 |
| Total | 63,585 | 100.0 |
| Country of birth | Number | (%) |
|---|---|---|
| United Kingdom and Ireland | 60,433 | 95.0 |
| Northern Ireland | 52,063 | 81.9 |
| England | 3,477 | 5.5 |
| Scotland | 420 | 0.7 |
| Wales | 98 | 0.2 |
| Republic of Ireland | 4,375 | 6.9 |
| Europe | 2,139 | 3.4 |
| European Union | 2,047 | 3.2 |
| Other non-EU countries | 92 | 0.2 |
| Rest of World | 1,013 | 1.6 |
| Middle East andAsia | 468 | 0.7 |
| North America,Central America andCaribbean | 243 | 0.4 |
| Africa | 187 | 0.3 |
| Antarctica,Oceania and Other | 85 | 0.1 |
| South America | 30 | 0.05 |
| Total | 63,585 | 100.0 |
| Main language | Usual residents aged 3+ | (%) |
|---|---|---|
| English | 59,081 | 96.4 |
| Polish | 649 | 1.1 |
| Lithuanian | 389 | 0.6 |
| Bulgarian | 200 | 0.3 |
| Irish | 138 | 0.2 |
| Latvian | 115 | 0.2 |
| All other languages | 745 | 1.2 |
| Total (usual residents aged 3+) | 61,316 | 100.0 |
| Ability in Irish | Number | (%) |
|---|---|---|
| Speaks, reads, writes and understands Irish | 2,703 | 4.4 |
| Speaks and reads but does not write Irish | 509 | 0.8 |
| Speaks but does not read or write Irish | 2,336 | 3.8 |
| Understands but does not read, write or speak Irish | 3,114 | 5.1 |
| Other combination of skills | 929 | 1.5 |
| Has some knowledge of Irish: Total | 9,591 | 15.6 |
| No ability in Irish | 51,725 | 84.4 |
| Total (usual residents aged 3+) | 61,316 | 100.0 |
| Ability in Ulster Scots | Number | (%) |
|---|---|---|
| Speaks, reads, writes and understands Ulster Scots | 490 | 0.8 |
| Speaks and reads but does not write Ulster Scots | 319 | 0.5 |
| Speaks but does not read or write Ulster Scots | 1,194 | 1.9 |
| Understands but does not read, write or speak Ulster Scots | 2,468 | 4.0 |
| Other combination of skills | 395 | 0.6 |
| Has some knowledge of Ulster Scots: Total | 4,866 | 7.9 |
| No ability in Ulster Scots | 56,450 | 92.1 |
| Total (usual residents aged 3+) | 61,316 | 100.0 |
| National identity | Number | % |
|---|---|---|
| Irish only | 24,341 | 38.3% |
| British only | 16,678 | 26.2% |
| Northern Irish only | 13,543 | 21.3% |
| British and Northern Irish only | 2,863 | 4.5% |
| Irish and Northern Irish only | 1,168 | 1.8% |
| British, Irish and Northern Irish only | 602 | 0.9% |
| British and Irish only | 305 | 0.5% |
| Other identity | 4,086 | 6.4% |
| Total | 63,585 | 100.0% |
| All Irish identities | 26,653 | 41.9% |
| All British identities | 20,920 | 32.9% |
| All Northern Irish identities | 18,481 | 29.1% |
Agriculture and tourism are two of the most important industries in Fermanagh. The main types of farming in the area are beef, dairy, sheep, pigs and some poultry. Most of the agricultural land is used as grassland for grazing and silage or hay rather than for other crops.
The waterways are extensively used by cabin cruisers, other small pleasure craft and anglers. The main town of Fermanagh isEnniskillen (Inis Ceithleann, 'Ceithleann's island'). The island town hosts a range of attractions including theCastle Coole Estate andEnniskillen Castle, which is home to the museum of TheRoyal Inniskilling Fusiliers and the5th Royal Inniskilling Dragoon Guards. Fermanagh is also home to The Boatyard Distillery, a distillery producinggin.
Attractions outside Enniskillen include:
The classification of settlements by NISRA defines six categories following the 2011 census (ignoring Belfast and Derry City which have their own separate categories), namely; Large towns, Medium towns, Small towns, Intermediate settlements, Villages and Small villages or hamlets. The majority of the settlements in County Fermanagh lie within the final category, five within the village category and one each in the intermediate settlements and medium towns categories. No settlements in the county are classified as Large towns or Small towns.
(population of 18,000 or more and under 75,000 at 2011 Census)[21]
(population of 10,000 or more and under 18,000 at 2011 Census)[21]
(population of 5,000 or more and under 10,000 at 2011 Census)[21]
(population of 2,500 or more and under 4,500 at 2011 Census)[21]
(population of 1,000 or more and under 2,500 at 2011 Census)[21]
(population of less than 1,000 at 2011 Census)[21]
| Settlement | Irish | 2001 Population | 2011 Population | 2021 Population |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Arney / Skea | an Arna / Sceach | 114 | 125 | 134 |
| Ballinamallard | Béal Átha na Mallacht | 1,340 | 1,432 | 1,364 |
| Ballycassidy / Laragh / Trory | Baile Uí Chaiside / Lathrach / Treabhraigh | 315 | 363 | 357 |
| Belcoo / Holywell | Béal Cú / Dabhach Phádraig | 486 | 540 | 439 |
| Bellanaleck | Bealach na Leice | 213 | 532 | 714 |
| Belleek | Béal Leice | 836 | 904 | 968 |
| Brookeborough | Achadh Lon | 517 | 452 | 438 |
| Clabby | Clabaigh | 198 | 268 | 282 |
| Derrygonnelly | Doire Ó gConaíle | 594 | 678 | 574 |
| Derrylin | Doire Loinne | 423 | 640 | 656 |
| Donagh | Domhnach | 255 | 179 | 164 |
| Ederney | Eadarnaidh | 554 | 587 | 553 |
| Enniskillen | Inis Ceithleann | 13,599 | 13,790 | 14,120 |
| Florencecourt / Drumlaghy | Mullach na Seangán / Druim Lathaighe | 135 | 91 | 102 |
| Garrison | an Garastún | 357 | 351 | 392 |
| Irvinestown | Na Cairn / Baile an Irbhinigh | 1,801 | 2,264 | 2,320 |
| Kesh | an Cheis | 972 | 1,036 | 1,101 |
| Killadeas | Cill Chéile Dé | 90 | 63 | 82 |
| Killesher / Derrylester | Cill Laisre / Doire an Leastair | N/A | N/A | 59 |
| Kinawley | Cill Náile | 75 | 141 | 142 |
| Lack | an Leac | 114 | 111 | 111 |
| Letterbreen | Leitir Bhruín | N/A | 68 | 51 |
| Lisbellaw | Lios Béal Átha | 1,046 | 1,102 | 1,085 |
| Lisnarick | Lios na nDaróg | 219 | 238 | 203 |
| Lisnaskea | Lios na Scéithe | 2,739 | 2,960 | 3,006 |
| Magheraveely | Machaire Mhílic | N/A | 66 | N/A |
| Maguiresbridge | Droichead Mhig Uidhir | 774 | 1,038 | 1,029 |
| Monea | Maigh Niadh | 114 | 206 | 248 |
| Newtownbutler | an Baile Nua | 943 | 987 | 972 |
| Pettigo (Portion in Co. Fermanagh) | Paiteagó | 81 | 63 | 76 |
| Roslea | Ros Liath | 554 | 528 | 482 |
| Springfield | Achadh an Fhuaráin | 69 | 73 | 69 |
| Tamlaght | Tamhlacht | 276 | 409 | 341 |
| Teemore | an Tigh Mór | N/A | 184 | 161 |
| Tempo | an tIompú Deiseal | 533 | 489 | 458 |
Population statistics were not made available from the 2001, 2011 and 2021 censuses, where noted with an "N/A".
Baronies
Parishes
Townlands
Newspapers
There are 41 primary schools currently in operation in County Fermanagh, 10 secondary schools, one special school and one further education college.
Primary Schools
Secondary Schools
Further Education College
Special School
Closed Schools[22]
Fermanagh GAA has never won a Senior Provincial or an All-Ireland title in any Gaelic games, it is only one of two counties to win neither title. There are 22 GAA clubs in the county, this is the second least of all 32 counties (Longford now has the least, with 21 GAA clubs).
OnlyBallinamallard United F.C. take part in theNorthern Ireland football league system. All other Fermanagh clubs play in theFermanagh & Western FA league systems.Fermanagh Mallards F.C. played in theWomen's Premier League until 2013.
Enniskillen RFC was founded in 1925 and is still going.[23] There is also a rugby league team, theFermanagh Redskins
Famous football players from Fermanagh include –
Famous people born, raised in or living in Fermanagh include:
The most common surnames in County Fermanagh at the time of theUnited Kingdom Census of 1901 were:[25]
The railway lines in County Fermanagh connectedEnniskillen railway station withDerry from 1854,Dundalk from 1861,Bundoran from 1868 andSligo from 1882.[26]
The railway companies that served the county, prior to the establishment by the merger ofLondonderry and Enniskillen Railway,Enniskillen and Bundoran Railway theDundalk and Enniskillen Railway which was later named theIrish North Western Railway, thus forming theGreat Northern Railway (Ireland). By 1883 theGreat Northern Railway (Ireland) absorbed all the lines except theSligo, Leitrim and Northern Counties Railway, which remained independent throughout its existence.
In October 1957 theGovernment of Northern Ireland closed the GNR line, which made it impossible for the SL&NCR continue and forced it also to close.[27]
The nearest railway station to Enniskillen isSligo station which is served by trains toDublin Connolly and is operated byIarnród Éireann. TheDublin-Sligo railway line has a two-hourly service run by Iarnród Éireann. The connecting bus fromSligo viaManorhamilton to Enniskillen is route66 operated byBus Éireann.
This article contains quotations from this source, which is available under theOpen Government Licence v3.0. © Crown copyright.
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Places adjacent to County Fermanagh | |
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