About County Fermanagh
County Fermanagh is unlike any other Irish county, fully a third of its surface is water. The Upper and Lower Lough Erne stretch through the heart of the county, their islands dotted with ancient monasteries and carved stone figures that predate Christianity. This watery landscape gave Fermanagh families a different relationship with the land, and a different experience of the Famine and emigration.
History
Fermanagh was the territory of the Maguire clan, one of the great Ulster dynasties. The county's lakeland geography made it difficult to conquer and helped preserve Gaelic traditions longer than many lowland areas. The Plantation of Ulster transformed its towns, but the lake islands remained refuges for Catholic clergy and Gaelic culture throughout the Penal period.
How Fermanagh families left Ireland
Fermanagh families emigrated primarily through Derry and Sligo. The county was less devastated by the Famine than many western counties, its mixed agricultural economy provided some resilience, but emigration was still substantial throughout the 19th century, with many families settling in upstate New York and Pennsylvania.
Places worth visiting in County Fermanagh
- Devenish Island, the remarkable monastic island in Lower Lough Erne with a perfect round tower
- Enniskillen Castle, the Maguire stronghold turned into one of Ireland's best museums
- Belleek Pottery, producing fine china on the banks of the River Erne since 1857
- Marble Arch Caves, a remarkable underground river system beneath the Cuilcagh plateau
Is your surname from County Fermanagh?
Enter your Irish family name and we will tell you whether it is connected to Fermanagh, and build you a personalised Heritage Package for your visit.
Trace your surname →