Marble Arch Caves
The attraction of Fermanagh lies in the tranquillity of its crystal clear lakes and surroundings and its rich heritage. The county itself is steeped in history and heritage, evident through the many historic islands dotted throughout the waterways, also through impressive National Trust owned stately properties. The area houses the remains of several plantation castles dating back to the early seventeenth century.
Attractions include:
§ Belleek Pottery,Ireland's oldest pottery,
§ The Marble Arch Caves - Northern Ireland's only underground cave system open to the public.
§ Just outside of the Blaney area can be found Monea Castle.
§ Florencecourt area is rich in heritage and has a history which spans at least 9,000 years. There are numerous sites of historical interest, which represent the area's long link with the past.
Most of the archaeology carried out in Fermanagh has focused on the time before the medieval period and the period after the Plantation. The available evidence would suggest that many medieval lords in Fermanagh lived in crannogs, as opposed to masonry or motte castles, with the exception of Enniskillen Castle. At present about 105 definite and possible crannogs have been recognised in Fermanagh.
Fermanagh boasts its fair share of important church sites also, some of which are located on island sites in Lower Lough Erne, the most famous of which is Devenish Island. These island sites were of vital importance in medieval Fermanagh when the main mode of transport of that time was by water rather than by road.
Many other church sites are located on the shores of Lough Erne. Evidence gathered at excavation of some of these sites show that they were important centres of pilgrimage and education as well as religion.
The National Trust was founded in 1895 to act as a guardian for the nation in the acquisition and protection of threatened coastline, countryside and buildings. Itworks to preserve and protect the coastline, countryside and buildings of England, Wales and Northern Ireland. It doesthis through practical caring and conservation, through learning and discovery, and through encouraging millions of people to visit and enjoy their national heritage.
The National Trust has been active in Northern Ireland since 1936. In total, 63 Northern Irish places, covering around 120 square kilometres of scenic local countryside and around 200 kilometres of the outstanding Northern Ireland coastline, are under National Trust care.
The Protection of Monuments is managed by the Environment and Heritage Service (EHS). 181 are in state care and are open to the public. The Built Heritage department of the EHS maintains the Northern Ireland Sites and Monuments Record for the six counties of Northern Ireland, holding information on approx. 15,000 sites. These range from Mesolithic camp sites, Bronze age landscapes preserved under bog, through the Early Christian monasteries, the castles of the Norman conquest and the defended houses of the Plantation settlers.