Enniskillen Castle, Medieval fortress in Enniskillen, Northern Ireland
Enniskillen Castle sits on an island between two sections of Lough Erne and features a rectangular keep alongside the distinctive Watergate tower. The fortress now holds two museums inside its walls, one focused on local history and another on an Irish regiment.
Hugh Maguire built the initial square tower in 1428 which was later substantially rebuilt. The fortress changed hands multiple times and endured sieges during conflicts over control of the region.
The castle tells the story of the Maguire family who controlled this region for centuries through displays of daily life and local craftsmanship. Walking through the galleries reveals how people in Fermanagh used to work and what mattered to them.
The site is easy to access and visitors can explore both museums in a single visit. It is helpful to set aside time to see both collections as they each have different stories to tell.
The Watergate was built in 1609 with Scottish architectural details but never served as an actual entrance to the fortress. Its round towers stand out as an unusual design choice for Irish defensive architecture.
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