FERMANAGH LAKELANDS
The serene beauty of Fermanagh’s gorgeous lakelands calls visitors back again and again, and they will always find something new to enjoy
What could be more relaxing than the sound of lake water gently lapping the shore beyond your bedroom window? In the Fermanagh Lakelands, you’ll have your pick of accommodation that offers this and much more. The latest addition to the mix is 12 luxurious self-catering Lakeview Studios that are due to open at the Killyhevlin Hotel in July. They have been designed specifically for couples looking for a luxury self-catering experience on the edge of Lough Erne and offer the added benefits of free use of the Killyhevlin Health Club, complete with indoor swimming pool, outdoor hot tub, sauna, steam room and fitness suite. At Share Discovery Village on the shores of Upper Lough Erne, six new Glamping Pods offer an exceptional contemporary bed and breakfast experience. The 60acre holiday village offers a wide range of land and water activities and has recently added an escape room. Alternatively, for accommodation that moves with you, why not get behind the wheel of a motorhome and go where the road takes you. Getting out on the water is a given on a visit to the lakes and you can opt for guided boat tours or day boat rental. The Fermanagh lakes are studded with islands, many of which have important archaeological remains. They include White Island, Boa Island and Devenish Island, where you can explore the atmospheric ruins of a sixth-century monastic site.
A new way to visit White Island is on a guided hydrobike tour from Castle Archdale Boat Hire & Marina. The island is famous for its eight 1000-year-old carved figures.
On land too there is plenty to see and enjoy including the beautiful eighteenth-century manor house, Florence Court. You can take a fascinating guided tour of the mansion and explore the acres of lush woodland and gardens that surround it. The estate’s kitchen garden is currently being restored and two new glasshouses were recently opened.
Whiskey lovers will be thrilled to hear that a new artisan distillery, Glenwinny, will open in July at the Dog and Duck Inn in Lisbellaw, a village not far from the island town of Enniskillen. The new distillery will be producing Fermanagh’s first small-batch pot still whiskey and rum in living memory. Glenwinny will be offering a variety of tours and dining experiences in the coming months.