Enniskillen
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| Enniskillen | |
|
Irish: Inis Ceithleann Skintown |
|
| Population | 13,599 (2001 Census) |
|---|---|
| Irish grid reference | |
| - Belfast | 88 miles (142 km) |
| District | Fermanagh District Council |
| County | County Fermanagh |
| Constituent 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 |
| UK Parliament | Fermanagh and South Tyrone |
| European Parliament | Northern Ireland |
| Website: http://www.enniskillen.com/ | |
| List of places: UK • Northern Ireland • County Fermanagh | |
Enniskillen (from the Irish: Inis Ceithleann meaning "Kathleen's Island") is the county town (and largest town) in County Fermanagh and the west of Northern Ireland. It is located almost exactly in the centre of the county on the natural island which separates the Upper and Lower sections of Lough Erne. The elected MP (Member of Parliament) over this area is Sinn Féin's Michelle Gildernew MP MLA.
With a population of over 13,000, it is by far the largest settlement in the county as well as the main retail centre. It is also the seat of local government for Fermanagh District Council.
Contents |
[edit] History
[edit] Early history
The island was captured by the English in 1607, as part of a wider campaign to bring the province of Ulster under English control. The Plantation of Ulster followed during which the lands of the native Irish were seized and handed over to English planters loyal to the Crown. The Maguires were supplanted by William Cole, originally from Devon, who was appointed by James I to build an English settlement there. In 1689 the town had grown significantly and was subjected to a siege by Jacobite troops, during the conflict which resulted from the ousting of King James II by his Protestant rival, William III. This siege was successfully resisted. 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. These events also sowed the seeds for the conflict which engulfed Northern Ireland during the latter half of the 20th century, commonly referred to as The Troubles.
[edit] Military history
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 The Royal Irish Regiment (27th (Inniskilling) 83rd and 87th and Ulster Defence Regiment).
[edit] The Troubles
For more information see The Troubles in Enniskillen, which includes a list of incidents in Enniskillen during the Troubles resulting in fatalities. The most notorious incident was the Remembrance Day bombing in 1987 which left eleven people dead following the detonation of a Provisional Irish Republican Army time bomb.
[edit] Demographics
Enniskillen is classified as a Medium Town by the NI Statistics and Research Agency (NISRA) (ie with population between 10,000 and 18,000 people). On census day (29 April 2001) there were 13,599 people living in Enniskillen.
- 23.2% were aged under 16 years and 17.4% were aged 60 and over
- 48.1% of the population were male and 51.9% were female
- 61.5% were from a Roman Catholic background and 36.3% were from a Protestant background
- 5.2% of people aged 16-74 were unemployed.
For more details see: NI Neighbourhood Information Service
[edit] Places of interest
- Ardhowen Theatre
- Castle Coole
- Cole's Monument
- Enniskillen Castle
- Portora Royal School
- St Macartin's Cathedral
- The Diamond and Town Hall
- The Clinton Centre
- St. Michael's College (Enniskillen)
[edit] International events
In recent years, Enniskillen has hosted an array of international events, most notably, stages of the World Waterski World Cup annually since 2005, at the Broadmeadow. It is anticipated that the event will return for a fourth time in 2008. Also, a Pro wakeboard competition, 'Wakejam', took place between July 27 and July 29 2007, where top riders from around the world, as well as local riders, took part in the event, hosted by Erne Wakeboard Club (EWC).
[edit] People
The following are people born or raised in or around Enniskillen. Locally, people are only considered to be truly from Enniskillen if they were born "between the bridges", i.e. on the island.
- Oscar Wilde, satirist and playwright, educated at Portora Royal School
- Neil Hannon, Lead singer/composer of the pop band The Divine Comedy educated at Portora Royal School
- Samuel Beckett, playwright, educated at Portora Royal School
- Roy Carroll, goalkeeper for Rangers
- Adrian Dunbar, actor, born and brought up in Enniskillen
- Frank Hoy, professional wrestler, was born in the town
- David Robinson, photographer and publisher, educated at Potora Royal School
- Edward Kernan, bishop Roman Catholic
- Kyle Lafferty, Striker, Professional football player for Burnley and Northern Ireland International.
- Charles Lawson, actor (Coronation Street and other roles)
- Henry Francis Lyte, hymn composer, most notably Abide With Me, educated at Portora Royal School
- Nial Fulton, film and television producer, educated at Portora Royal School
- Michael McGovern, goalkeeper, currently on the books of Celtic
- Kieran McKenna, midfielder, currently on the books of Tottenham Hotspur
- Ciarán McMenamin, TV actor
- Frank Ormsby, poet
- Claire Falconer, actress and painter
- Seán Quinn, entrepreneur and Ireland's richest man (originally from Derrylin)
- Duke of Westminster, formerly the UK richest man, reared at the family's estate at Ely Lodge
- David McCann,author of children's books
- Mick Softley Singer, Song writer for Bob Dylan currently lives in the town.
[edit] Education
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.
[edit] Primary level
- Erne Integrated Primary school
- Model primary school
- Holy Trinity Primary School
- Jones Memorial Primary School
- Saint Patrick's Primary School, Mullanaskea
[edit] Secondary level
- Erne Integrated College
- Devenish College (a collaboration of Enniskillen High School and the Duke of Westminster College in Kesh)
- Enniskillen Collegiate Grammar School
- Portora Royal School
- Mount Lourdes Enniskillen; convent girls grammar school
- St Michael's College; boys grammar school
- St Fanchea's College
- St Joseph's College
[edit] Colleges
- Enniskillen College of Agriculture, Food and Rural Enterprise
- Fermanagh College
[edit] Transport
Until 1957, the town was served by a branch of the SL&NCR railway. There is extensive bus service in Enniskillen; both Ulsterbus and Bus Eireann serve Fermanagh through the main bus station in Enniskillen. The town is also home to a World War II era airport, Enniskillen/St Angelo Airport. While the airport had scheduled flights in the past, it now serves mainly private traffic.
[edit] Twinning
Enniskillen is twinned with Bielefeld, Germany. Enniskillen was originally twinned with Brackwede--a Bielefeld suburb--where the Inniskillen Dragoon Guards were stationed at the end of World War Two; however, this suburb were incorporated into Stadt Bielefeld in 1973, the city with which Enniskillen is now, officially twinned.
[edit] References
[edit] See also
[edit] External links
Major towns in Northern Ireland | ||
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| Towns | Image:Northern Ireland outline in blue.svg | |
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