Enniskillen

Enniskillen

Enniskillen castle
Enniskillen
Enniskillen shown within Northern Ireland
Population 13,823 [2]
Irish grid reference H240440
• Belfast 88 miles (142 km)
District
County
Country Northern Ireland
Sovereign state United Kingdom
Post town ENNISKILLEN
Postcode district BT74, BT92-94
Dialling code 028
Police Northern Ireland
Fire Northern Ireland
Ambulance Northern Ireland
EU Parliament Northern Ireland
UK Parliament
NI Assembly
Website www.enniskillen.com

Enniskillen (/ˌɛnɪsˈkɪlən/, from Irish Inis Ceithleann [ˈɪnʲɪʃ ˈcɛlʲən̪ˠ], meaning 'Ceithlenn's island') is a town and civil parish in County Fermanagh, Northern Ireland. It is located almost exactly in the centre of the county, between the Upper and Lower sections of Lough Erne. It had a population of 13,823 in the 2011 census. It was the seat of local government for the former Fermanagh District Council, and is the county town of Fermanagh as well as its largest town.

History

The town's name comes from the Irish: Inis Ceithleann. This refers to Cethlenn, a figure in Irish mythology who may have been a goddess. Local legend has it that Cethlenn was wounded in battle by an arrow and attempted to swim across the River Erne, which surrounds the island, but she never reached the other side, so the island was named in reference to her. It has been anglicised many ways over the centuries – Iniskellen, Iniskellin, Iniskillin, Iniskillen, Inishkellen, Inishkellin, Inishkillin, Inishkillen and so on.[3]

The town's oldest building is Enniskillen Castle, built by Hugh (Maguire) the Hospitable who died in 1428.[4] An earthwork, the Skonce on the shore of Lough Erne, may be the remains of an earlier motte. The castle was the stronghold of the junior branch of the Maguires.[5] The first watergate was built around 1580 by Cú Chonnacht Maguire, though subsequent lowering of the level of the lough has left it without water. The strategic position of the castle made its capture important for the English in 1593, to support their plans for the control of Ulster; this was achieved by a Captain Dowdall in February 1594. Maguire then laid siege to it, and defeated a relieving force at the Battle of the Ford of the Biscuits at Drumane Bridge on the Arney River. Although the defenders were relieved, Maguire gained possession of the castle from 1595 to 1598 and it was not finally captured by the English until 1607.


This was part of a wider campaign to bring the province of Ulster under English control; the final capture of Enniskillen Castle in 1607 was followed by the Plantation of Ulster, during which the lands of the native Irish were seized and handed over to planters loyal to the English Crown. The Maguires were supplanted by William Cole, originally from Devon, who was appointed by James I to build an English settlement there.

Captain Cole was installed as Constable and strengthened the castle wall and built a "fair house" on the old foundation as the centrepoint of the county town. The first Protestant parish church was erected on the hilltop in 1627. The Royal Free School of Fermanagh was moved onto the island in 1643. The first bridges were drawbridges; permanent bridges were not installed before 1688.

By 1689 the town had grown significantly. During the conflict which resulted from the ousting of King James II by his Protestant rival, William III, Enniskillen and Derry were the focus of Williamite resistance in Ireland, including the nearby Battle of Newtownbutler.[6]

Enniskillen and Derry were the two garrisons in Ulster that were not wholly loyal to James II, and it was the last town to fall before the siege of Derry. As a direct result of this conflict, Enniskillen developed not only as a market town but also as a garrison, which became home to two regiments.

The current site of Fermanagh College (now part of the South West College) was the former Enniskillen Gaol. Many people were tried and hanged in the square during the times of public execution. Part of the old Gaol is still used by the college.

Military history

Enniskillen Castle

Enniskillen is the site of the foundation of two British Army regiments:

The town's name (with the archaic spelling) continues to form part of the title to The Royal Irish Regiment (27th (Inniskilling) 83rd and 87th and Ulster Defence Regiment). Enniskillen Castle features on the cap badge of both regiments.

The Troubles

Enniskillen was the site of several events during The Troubles, the most notable being the Remembrance Day bombing in which 11 people were killed. Bill Clinton opened the Clinton centre in 2002 on the site of the bombing. The Provisional Irish Republican Army claimed responsibility for the attack.

Miscellaneous

  • The Chieftains sing a song that mentions Enniskillen titled "North Amerikay".
  • Jim Kerr of Simple Minds was so moved by the horror of the Enniskillen bombing in 1987 that he wrote new words to the traditional folk song "She Moved Through The Fair" and the group recorded it with the name "Belfast Child". The recording reached No. 1 in the UK Charts, Ireland and several other countries in 1989. The single was taken from the album Street Fighting Years; the single version was also published with the title "Ballad of the Streets". The video to the song was shot in black and white and displays poignant footage of children and the destruction of the bombing. Similarly, U2 held a concert the same day of the bombing, which was being filmed for a movie.
  • The Irish language novel Mo Dhá Mhicí by Séamus Mac Annaidh is set in Enniskillen.
Enniskillen Registry Office

Demography

Enniskillen is classified as a medium town (i.e. with population between 10,000 and 18,000 people) by the Northern Ireland Statistics and Research Agency (NISRA).[8]:11

2011 Census

On Census day (27 March 2011) there were 13,823 people living in Enniskillen (5,733 households), accounting for 0.76% of the NI total.[2] Of these:

  • 19.76% were aged under 16 years and 15.59% were aged 65 and over;
  • 51.80% of the usually resident population were female and 48.20% were male;
  • 61.62% belong to or were brought up in the Catholic religion and 33.55% belong to or were brought up in a 'Protestant and Other Christian (including Christian related)' religion;
  • 35.59% indicated that they had a British national identity, 33.77% had an Irish national identity and 30.35% had a Northern Irish national identity (respondents could indicate more than one national identity);
  • 39 years was the average (median) age of the population;
  • 13.03% had some knowledge of Irish (Gaelic) and 3.65% had some knowledge of Ulster-Scots.

2001 Census

On census day in 2011, there were 13,823 people living in Enniskillen.[2] This was up 1.7% from the 2001 census.

  • 48.2% of the population were male and 51.8% were female
  • 61.6% were from a Catholic background and 33.6% were from a Protestant background. 0.9% were from "other" and 4% were from "none".
  • 1158 residents were born outside the UK and Ireland.
  • 8.4% of residents were described as "migrants"
  • 5.2% of people aged 16–74 were unemployed.

Climate

As throughout Britain and Ireland, Enniskillen experiences a maritime climate with cool summers and mild winters. The nearest official Met Office weather station for which online records are available is at Lough Navar Forest,[9] about 8 1⁄2 mi (14 km) northwest of Enniskillen. Data has also more recently been collected from Enniskillen/St Angelo Airport, under 4 mi (6 km) north of the town centre, which should in time give a more accurate representation of the climate of the Enniskillen area.

The absolute maximum temperature is 29.8 °C (85.6 °F), recorded during July 2006.[10] In an 'average' year, the warmest day is 25.5 °C (77.9 °F)[11] and only 2.4 days[12] a year should rise to 25.1 °C (77.2 °F) or above. The respective absolute maximum for St Angelo is 29.4 °C (84.9 °F)[13]

The absolute minimum temperature is −12.9 °C (8.8 °F), recorded during January 1984.[14] In an 'average' year, the coldest night should fall to −8.2 °C (17.2 °F). Lough Navar is a frosty location, with some 76 air frosts recorded in a typical year.[14] It is likely that Enniskillen town centre is significantly less frosty than this. The absolute minimum at St Angelo is −14.5 °C (5.9 °F), reported during the record cold month of December 2010.[14]

The warmest month on record at St Angelo was August 1995 with a mean temperature of 18.8 °C (65.8 °F)[15] (mean maximum 23.3 °C (73.9 °F), mean minimum 12.9 °C (55.2 °F), while the coldest month was December 2010, with a mean temperature of −1.8 °C (28.8 °F)[16] (mean maximum 2.9 °C (37.2 °F), mean minimum −5.9 °C (21.4 °F).

Rainfall is high, averaging over 1500 mm. 212 days of the year report at least 1 mm of precipitation, ranging from 15 days during April, May and June, to 20 days in October, November, December, January and March.

The Köppen Climate Classification subtype for this climate is "Cfb" (Marine West Coast Climate/Oceanic climate).[17]

Climate data for Lough Navar Forest 126m asl 1971–2000, extremes 1960– (Weather station 8.5 miles (14 km) North West of Enniskillen)
Month Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec Year
Record high °C (°F) 13.0
(55.4)		 15.4
(59.7)		 20.0
(68)		 23.2
(73.8)		 26.1
(79)		 28.8
(83.8)		 29.8
(85.6)		 28.0
(82.4)		 23.2
(73.8)		 19.5
(67.1)		 16.8
(62.2)		 13.8
(56.8)		 29.8
(85.6)
Average high °C (°F) 6.4
(43.5)		 7.0
(44.6)		 8.9
(48)		 11.5
(52.7)		 14.5
(58.1)		 16.6
(61.9)		 18.3
(64.9)		 18.1
(64.6)		 15.6
(60.1)		 12.2
(54)		 8.8
(47.8)		 7.0
(44.6)		 12.1
(53.7)
Average low °C (°F) 0.3
(32.5)		 0.5
(32.9)		 1.4
(34.5)		 2.2
(36)		 4.3
(39.7)		 7.4
(45.3)		 9.7
(49.5)		 9.2
(48.6)		 7.1
(44.8)		 5.1
(41.2)		 2.1
(35.8)		 1.2
(34.2)		 4.2
(39.6)
Record low °C (°F) −12.9
(8.8)		 −10.5
(13.1)		 −11.6
(11.1)		 −7.3
(18.9)		 −4.4
(24.1)		 −2.4
(27.7)		 1.0
(33.8)		 0.2
(32.4)		 −2.6
(27.3)		 −7.2
(19)		 −8.4
(16.9)		 −12.8
(9)		 −12.9
(8.8)
Average precipitation mm (inches) 163.38
(6.4323)		 123.19
(4.85)		 136.81
(5.3862)		 93.85
(3.6949)		 87.4
(3.441)		 93.39
(3.6768)		 101.37
(3.9909)		 117.45
(4.624)		 123.94
(4.8795)		 155.7
(6.13)		 157.26
(6.1913)		 169.1
(6.657)		 1,522.84
(59.9539)
Source #1: YR.NO[18]
Source #2: Royal Netherlands Meteorological Institute[19]

Places of interest

Cole's Monument

Sports

Football

The town has two association football teams called Enniskillen Rangers and Enniskillen Town United F.C.

Enniskillen Rangers are the current holders of the Irish Junior Cup, defeating Hill Street 5-1 on Monday May 1 2017. The match was played at the National Football Stadium at Windsor Park in Belfast.[20] They play their home games at the Ball Range.[21]

Enniskillen Rangers have several notable former players including Sandy Fulton and Jim Cleary.

Enniskillen Town United F.C. currently play in the Fermanagh & Western 1st Division. Their most notable former player is Michael McGovern who currently plays for Norwich City F.C. At the moment, Enniskillen Town play their home games at The Lakeland Forum playing fields in Enniskillen.

Rugby

Enniskillen Rugby Football Club was founded in 1925 and plays their home games at Mullaghmeen. The club currently fields 3 senior men's teams, a senior ladies teams, a range of male and female youth teams, a vibrant mini section and a disability tag team called The Enniskillen Elks.[22]

The rugby club was formed on 28th August 1925, when 37 attended a meeting in Enniskillen Town Hall. The name Enniskillen Rugby Club was agreed and the club adopted the rules of Dublin University. The first match was played on 30th September 1925 against Ballyshannon in County Donegal.[23]

Gaelic Football

Enniskillen Gaels are a Gaelic Athletic Association club founded in 1927. They play their home games at Brewster Park, Enniskillen.

International events

Enniskillen was the venue of the 39th G8 summit which was held on the 17th and 18th June 2013. It was held at the Lough Erne Resort, a five-star hotel and golf resort on the shore of Lough Erne. The gathering was the biggest international diplomatic gathering ever held in Northern Ireland. Among the G8 leaders who attended were British Prime Minister David Cameron, United States President Barack Obama, German Chancellor Angela Merkel, and Russian President Vladimir Putin.[24]

In the past, Enniskillen has hosted an array of international events, most notably stages of the World Waterski World Cup, annually from 2005 to 2007 at the Broadmeadow.[25] Despite its success, Enniskillen was not chosen as a World Cup Stop for 2008.

In January 2009, Enniskillen hosted the ceremonial start of Rally Ireland 2009, the first stage of the WRC FIA World Rally Championship 2009 Calendar.[26]

Notable natives and residents

Education

The old Enniskillen Model School, now used as the Fermanagh office of the Western Education and Library Board (WELB)

There are numerous schools and colleges in and around the Enniskillen area, from primary level to secondary level, including some further education colleges such as the technical college.

Primary level

  • Erne Integrated Primary school
  • Model primary school
  • Holy Trinity Primary School
  • Jones Memorial Primary School
  • Mullnaskea Primary School

Secondary level

Colleges

Transport

Rail – historic

Railway lines from Enniskillen railway station linked the town with Derry from 1854, Dundalk from 1861, Bundoran from 1868 and Sligo from 1882.[27] By 1883 the Great Northern Railway (Ireland) absorbed all the lines except the Sligo, Leitrim and Northern Counties Railway, which remained independent throughout its existence. In October 1957 the Government of Northern Ireland closed the GNR line, which made it impossible for the SL&NCR continue and forced it also to close.[28]

Rail – current

The nearest railway station to Enniskillen is Sligo station which is served by trains to Dublin Connolly and is operated by Iarnród Éireann. The Dublin-Sligo railway line has a two hourly service run by Iarnród Éireann Official site – Timetables, bookings and operations The connecting bus from Sligo via Manorhamilton to Enniskillen is route 66 operated by Bus Éireann.

Bus

Enniskillen has an extensive bus service; both Ulsterbus and Bus Éireann serve Fermanagh through the bus station in Enniskillen. Leydons Coaches operate route 930 linking Enniskillen to Swanlinbar, Bawnboy, Ballyconnell, Belturbet and Cavan.[29] Number 261, 261b and X261 Goldline buses run from Belfast to Enniskillen frequently, if not daily. The Bus Éireann Route 30 runs from Donegal to Dublin Airport/Dublin City and stops off at Enniskillen Bus Station.

Air

Enniskillen has a World War II-era airport, Enniskillen/St Angelo Airport. The airport had scheduled flights in the past, but now serves mainly private traffic.

Road

The town is on the main A4/N16 route linking Belfast and Sligo, and on the main Dublin to Ballyshannon route, the N3/A46/A509.

Twinning

Enniskillen was originally twinned with Brackwede – a Bielefeld suburb – where the Inniskilling Dragoon Guards were stationed in the late 1950s when the twinning was initiated; however, this suburb was incorporated into Stadt Bielefeld in 1973, the city with which Enniskillen is now officially twinned.[30][31]

Though the twinning arrangements are still operational, at a meeting of the Regeneration and Community Committee, in February 2018, it was agreed that the twinning arrangements would be formally terminated at the end of the Council term in June 2018. However, Fermanagh and Omagh District Council still have plans to send representatives to Brackwede for the 60th anniversary celebrations of the twinning. Therefore, the future of the twinning is now somewhat unclear.[32]


See also

References

  1. ↑ "Home" (PDF).
  2. 1 2 3 "Census 2011 Population Statistics for Enniskillen Settlement". Northern Ireland Statistics and Research Agency. Retrieved 5 March 2018.
  3. ↑ "Bunachar Logainmneacha na hÉireann".
  4. ↑ Mary Rogers (1982). Prospect of Fermanagh. Watergate Press, Enniskillen.
  5. ↑ "The Maguires of Fermanagh".
  6. ↑ Witherow, Thomas. "The Defence of Enniskillen". Derry and Enniskillen in the Year 1689. Library Ireland. Retrieved 24 May 2012.
  7. ↑ U2, Phil Joanou (director) (1999). U2: Rattle and Hum (DVD). Paramount.
  8. ↑ "Statistical Classification and Delineation of Settlements" (PDF). NI Statistics and Research Agency (NISRA). February 2005. Table 3 / Band C - Large Town. Retrieved 26 September 2018.
  9. ↑ "Station Locations". MetOffice.
  10. ↑ "2006 Maximum". Retrieved 20 September 2011.
  11. ↑ "71-00 Mean Warmest Day". Retrieved 20 September 2011.
  12. ↑ "71-00 >25c days". Retrieved 20 September 2011.
  13. ↑ "2006 Maximum". Retrieved 20 September 2011.
  14. 1 2 3 "2003 Sunshine". Retrieved 20 September 2011.
  15. ↑ "August 1995". Retrieved 20 September 2011.
  16. ↑ "December 2010". Retrieved 20 September 2011.
  17. ↑ "Enniskillen, Northern Ireland Köppen Climate Classification (Weatherbase)".
  18. ↑ "1971–2000 averages". Met Office. September 2011. Retrieved 16 September 2011.
  19. ↑ "Climate Normals 1971–2000". Royal Netherlands Meteorological Institute. Retrieved 20 September 2011.
  20. ↑ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hnd-KSbvO-I
  21. ↑ http://www.impartialreporter.com/sport/15802063.FOOTBALL_REVIEW__Kerr_steers_Rangers_to_Junior_Cup_glory/
  22. ↑ http://www.enniskillenrfc.com
  23. ↑ http://www.enniskillenrfc.com/Article/Details/7
  24. ↑ "Tanaiste welcomes announcement that Enniskillen will host the G8 Summit in June 2013". MerrionStreet. Retrieved 30 January 2013.
  25. ↑ "International Water Ski Federation 2007".
  26. ↑ http://www.niassembly.gov.uk/news-and-media/press-releases/archive-press-releases/press-releases-2008-2009/2009-rally-ireland-races-into-enniskillen/
  27. ↑ Hajducki, S. Maxwell (1974). A Railway Atlas of Ireland. Newton Abbott: David & Charles. maps 6, 7, 12. ISBN 0-7153-5167-2.
  28. ↑ Sprinks, N.W. (1970). Sligo, Leitrim and Northern Counties Railway. Billericay: Irish Railway Record Society (London Area).
  29. ↑ Leydons Coaches. Leydons Coaches (11 February 2013). Retrieved on 23 July 2013.
  30. ↑ "Städtepartnerschaften". www.bielefeld.de (in German). Retrieved 31 January 2018.
  31. ↑ "Fermanagh people help to celebrate twin town's 800th anniversary". The Impartial Reporter. 2 August 2014. Retrieved 31 January 2018.
  32. ↑ http://fermanaghherald.com/2018/09/looks-like-auf-wiedersehen-to-enniskillens-twin-town/
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