7 June 2021

A guide to living in Enniskillen

Are you planning a move to Enniskillen? Propertynews.com have created a guide to living in Enniskillen which showcases the top eateries, local attractions and more!

Living in Enniskillen

When you arrive in Enniskillen, it’s easy to instantly feel at ease with the town’s close proximity to the ambient Lough Erne.

This County Fermanagh town is undeniably a hot spot for tourists, who revel in Enniskillen’s unique position of promoting island living, which is exemplified by the array of moorings and boats located around it. This gives Enniskillen a distinctly continental feel, with the waterline serving as a constant reminder that this part of the country differs from anywhere else.

And while Enniskillen is idyllic, it is more than simply just a tourist attraction. At the heart of the town is a thriving main street, which changes name six times along its length. An emphasis is placed on supporting the local community, which is why on any given day, the town is a hive of activity. A unique collection of high street stores and independent retailers sit comfortably alongside each other, while parking is plentiful for a stress-free experience.

This focus on supporting local businesses has ensured the town’s expansion over the years. The town offers the perfect mixture of shops, eateries and entertainment, while unsurprisingly, water sports and game fishing are popular pastimes. Championship golf courses and sightseeing opportunities are also plentiful.

Who is Enniskillen ideal for?

Enniskillen appeals to a wide range of residents, particularly those who prefer to take life at a slower pace. With unrivalled lough views, demand for property in the area is high. The town’s constant focus on development has seen an abundance of cul-de-sacs offering family-style homes. Good road links to the surrounding areas ensure commuting is effortless.

Where to eat in Enniskillen?

The TapHouse: Enniskillen’s newest gastro-pub places emphasis on offering top quality, down-to-earth, great value food. Fresh, local ingredients are transformed into seasonally inspired classic dishes with a twist that excites diners time and time again.

Horseshoe & Saddlers: For a taste of tradition, The Horseshoe Bar and Saddler Bistro and Wine Bar is situated at the centre of Enniskillen. The award-winning family-run business offers traditional dishes in friendly surroundings, which proves a hit with locals and visitors alike.

Granny Annie’s Bar & Kitchen: The popular franchise has set its sights on Enniskillen, to enormous praise. Hearty, customer-favourite dishes are served in a lively atmosphere, for the perfect night out.

The Catalina Restaurant: Situated within the five-star Lough Erne Resort, The Catalina Restaurant is the epitome of sumptuous dining. Northern Ireland’s first 3 AA Rosette hotel restaurant features both classic and contemporary dishes, with a strong allegiance to local produce.

Pat’s Bar & Grill: The menu at Pat’s offers everything from light bites to burgers and hearty home cooked dishes. The casual atmosphere makes it the ideal venue for a low key catch up with friends.

Café Merlot: Rated one of the best in Enniskillen, it isn’t hard to see why! Café Merlot is nestled at the back of the popular Blakes of the Hollow, where guests can enjoy convivial and relaxed surroundings over classical dishes with a global twist.

Franco’s Restaurant: offers a top quality dining experience managed by Sweeney family with modern european family favourites. There’s a welcoming atmosphere and the owners insist on using only the finest ingredients in their kitchen and source as much local produce as possible.

What to do in Enniskillen?

Marble Arch Caves: A miracle of nature, the caves are located at the foothills of Cuilcagh Mountain. Visitors are guided through a fascinating underworld of rivers, waterfalls and winding passages to discover the true beauty of these natural caves. At 665 metres (2,188 feet) above sea level Cuilcagh Mountain Park is the highest point in Fermanagh and one of the flagship sites in the Marble Arch Caves Global Geopark.

Headhunters Barber Shop & Railway Museum: Here, the Johnston family have combined their traditional barber skills with their passion for local railway history to create one of the most unique and loved tourist attractions in the country.

Florence Court: Marvel at the beautiful 18th-century home, as you soak up the sustainable estate and gardens. With a range of family-friendly activities and tours, take a trip to Florence Court and enjoy all that it has to offer.

Enniskillen Castle: Poised beside the River Erne, the grand castle guarded one of the few passes into Ulster, proving strategically important throughout its history. Today, it is home to two museums and regular events, making it a firm-favourite in Enniskillen.

Castle Coole: Another National Trust property, the magnificent neo-classical mansion and landscape park boast an expansive wooded landscape area, ideal for nature lovers and ramblers alike.

The Ardhowen Theatre: The award-winning contemporary arts venue offers an array of theatre performances, comedy, music, dance, workshops and exhibitions, proving to be a key attraction in the area since its inception in 2007.

Schools in Enniskillen

Mount Lourdes Grammar School: Mount Lourdes was established in 1906 by the Sisters of Mercy to provide an education to the girls of Fermanagh in a supportive Christian environment. The school still upholds the same principles of its founders and has become a renowned school for its academic teaching and positive school experience.

Enniskillen Royal Grammar School: Enniskillen Royal Grammar School was established in 2016 as a new selective voluntary grammar school. The school is a co-educational and non-denominational Grammar school which has come from an amalgamation of Collegiate Grammar School and Portora Royal School.

Erne Integrated College: Founded in 1994, Erne Integrated College is a non-selective school which offers post-primary education to children of all abilities. Alongside a rich academic curriculum, Erne Integrated College also offers a wide range of extra-curricular programmes.

St Joseph’s College: St Joseph’s College first opened its doors in 1960 and was run by the Presentation Brothers who founded the school’s vision for a post-primary teaching with a strong Catholic ethos.

Devenish College: In 2004, Enniskillen High School & Duke of Westminster High School merged to form Devenish College. The school is currently building an innovative high tech campus to help support their ethos to strive, support and succeed.

St Michael’s College: Established in 1957 by the Bishop of Clogher, St Michael’s College is a Catholic College for boys in the Chanterhill area of Enniskillen. The school works to extend the experience and opportunities of its pupils for life outside of the classroom.

St Fanchea’s College: Opening its doors in September of 1960 by Sister Dolores and ten staff, St Fanchea’s College now provides a secondary education to over 320 pupils. St Fanchea’s offers a full curriculum and strives to enable pupils to develop their interpersonal skills within the classroom and through its extensive range of extracurricular activities.