Things to do
Benmore’s peaceful and secluded setting lends itself perfectly to relaxing and unwinding from the fast pace of 20th Century living, no matter what the season. Benmore welcomes families with children and dogs.
The area is ideal for all outdoor activities including fishing, walking, cycling, bird-watching and other sports such as golf, canoeing, wind-surfing, sailing, abseiling, parascending, caving, horse riding and hill walking. The sand and surf beaches and rugged scenery of Ireland's West Coast and Donegal is a mere 45 minutes away. There is also theatre, cinema, shopping and crafts, museums, castles and National Trust Properties, and the beautiful rolling landscape of hills and lakes all around.
Things to Do on our Doorstep:
Tully Castle (1 mile) Plantation Castle with bawn wall, 16th Century garden and Lough shore walk.
Lough Navar Forest Drive (7 miles) and Magho viewpoint with views all the way to the Ocean.
Castle Hume Golf Course, Restaurant and resort. The ‘Faldo at Lough Erne’ Championship course is in development.
In October, Derrygonnelly (3 miles) hosts the Eddie Duffy Traditional Music Festival weekend.
Monea Castle (6 miles) Imposing ruined castle with historic avenue of ancient Beech trees.
A to Z of Other Things to Do in Fermanagh:
Angling. The many lakes and rivers have long been known to anglers. Every May Lough Erne hosts the Classic Fishing Festival when the Mayfly rises.
Antiquities abound, from Ireland's culturally rich past, including castles, high crosses, carvings and round towers.
Caves. The limestone geology of the area has attracted cavers since the last century. Marble Arch Show Caves are a splendid tourist attraction ( http://www.marblearchcaves.net/ ), and the nearby Boho caves are use by potholers.
Cinema complex. Multiscreen Cinema in Enniskillen.
Crafts flourish, from cottage industries, some of which are represented in the converted Buttermarket in Enniskillen ( www.thebuttermarket.com ), to the large enterprises such as the nearby Belleek Pottery ( http://www.belleek.ie/ ), which produces its famous porcelain flowered baskets.
Eating Out and Pubs. There are a great variety of restaurants with local and ethnic cuisine, and pubs of all varieties, many with music. ( http://www.findfermanagh.com/ ) Nearby is the Tee Leaf Restaurant ( www.castlehumegolf.com). In October, Derrygonnelly ( 3 miles) hosts the Eddie Duffy Traditional Music Festival weekend.
Golf. There are a variety of golf courses, from pitch and putt, to the Links at Bundoran, to the nearby Castle Hume with its established course and also the soon-to-be-opened 'Nick Faldo at Lough Erne' Championship course ( http://www.loughernegolfresort.com/ )
Horse riding. Horse-lovers will enjoy pony-trekking and also the international equestrian events at Necarne Castle.
Leisure centre. Swimming Pool, Playzone for young and teens, activities for all age groups. ( www.lakelandforum.com )
Museums. Ireland's more recent social and industrial history is well displayed in Enniskillen Castle and Museum ( www.enniskillencastle.co.uk ) and other attractions such as the Ulster American Folk Park at Omagh ( www.folkpark.com ). Tully Castle with its recreated 17th Century garden lies within walking distance of Benmore.
National Trust. A short drive from Benmore are several National Trust properties, including Castle Coole, Florencecourt, and the Crom Castle and Castle Archdale estates. ( www.nationaltrust.org.uk )
Seaside. The beaches and rugged scenery of Ireland's dramatic West Coast and Donegal, are only forty minutes drive away. Rossnowlagh beach is a favourite for surfers and families. Bundoran has amusement arcades, Waterworld and beach.
Shopping. Enniskillen provides a good array of shops, and Sligo and Donegal town are only about an hour away.
Theatre. The lakeshore Ardhowen Theatre has a year-round programme of theatre, concerts and dance. ( www.ardhowentheatre.com )
Walking & Cycling. The unspoilt beauty of the Lakeland is a delight for walkers and cyclists. The Ulster Way footpath through nearby Lough Navar Forest and The Kingfisher Cycling Trail ( www.cycletoursireland.com ) pass nearby.
Water-sports. We have safe parking for your boat outside your cottage, or there are boats of all sizes for hire, and pleasure boats and ferries run on the Lough to some of the islands, such as Devenish Island and round tower. (www.discovernorthernireland.com/m.v.kestrel ). The Shannon-Erne waterway runs for 500 miles from nearby Belleek, south to Limerick in the Irish Republic.
See Also - Links
Tourism
Fermanagh Tourist Information Centre (028) 6632 3110 www.fermanagh.gov.uk
Fermanagh Lakeland Tourism (028) 66 346736 www.findfermanagh.com
Northern Ireland Tourist Board (028) 9023 1221 www.nitb.com
www.discovernorthernireland.com
Eco Tourism www.greenbox.ie
Crafts
http://www.basement-gallery.com/
http://www.innishbegcottages.com/
Environment
© 2006, Benmore Cottages, Churchill, Derrygonnelly, Eniskillen, Country Fermanagh, Northern Ireland, BT93 6AZ. All rights reserved.
