I found three fantastic ways to explore Fermanagh's rich history and heritage in just 24 hours

Attracting visitors from far and wide, this fascinating area is home to the internationally recognised Cuilcagh Lakelands Geopark, the Marble Arch Caves, winding waterways and stunning landscapes.

But to think this fabulous corner of Northern Ireland only offers epic scenery and natural beauty would be doing it a serious injustice. Steeped in history and heritage, the area offers unforgettable ways to step into the past whatever your interests.

A recent stop over in Enniskillen provided the ideal opportunity to explore the rich and unique heritage of the area - and we managed to experience quite a lot in just 24 hours!

National Trust delights

The National Trust has three fabulous places to visit in Co Fermanagh, including Crom estate on the shores of Upper Lough Erne which was chosen as the base for BBC Springwatch for 2026 - the first time in the popular programme's 20-year history that the main hub was in Northern Ireland.

Anyone who enjoys glimpsing the past, particularly learning how 'the other half' lived, will love joining a guided tour of the National Trust properties Florence Court and Castle Coole.

It was a gloriously warm and sunny day when we visited Florence Court in its majestic countryside setting with Benaughlin mountain in the background. Armed with a map supplied by the friendly and helpful person at the entrance, we set off to make the most of our time.

There is certainly plenty to see and do at this wonderful site, with the impressive Georgian mansion house at its heart. As it was a sweltering afternoon, we opted for the blue trail because the information suggested it would be a leisurely walk compared to the more 'adventurous' red route.

The lovely circular walk took us through native Irish woodland, into the pleasure grounds and walled garden. Designed in the 18th century to be both beautiful and highly productive, the walled garden provided year-round food for the dining table at Florence Court and it was a real joy to wander through in warm summer weather.

The kitchen garden has been restored to resemble the 1930s layout, and we spotted a variety of common and unusual vegetables, herbs and soft fruits which looked like they were bursting with flavour.

Equally beautiful is the native Irish apple orchard with more than 180 heritage trees and the delightful Rose Cottage, the former home of the head gardener, is just picture postcard perfect.

A highlight of our visit was the guided tour of the house, where our enthusiastic and knowledgeable guide shared the history of the Cole family who lived there for more than 250 years, rising through the ranks of the aristocracy. Equally enthralling was the opportunity to learn about life 'downstairs' for the staff who would have kept the house ticking over, looking after cooking, cleaning and attending to the family’s needs.

It would be easy to spend an entire day at Florence Court, taking in all the walks, historic features, browsing in Nelly Wooley's second-hand bookshop and enjoying something tasty from the tea room. However, if you don't have quite as much time, a house tour and shorter walks are still a great way to spend a few hours.

For more information go to: https://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/visit/northern-ireland/florence-court

Belleek Pottery heritage

The following morning we followed in the footsteps of thousands who have visited Belleek Pottery, one of Northern Ireland's oldest attractions and Ireland's oldest working pottery.

The impressive pottery building is hard to miss on the banks of the River Erne in the border village of Belleek. It is instantly recognisable as the home of this unique Irish craftsmanship brand dating back to 1849 which enthusiasts across the globe collect.

Stepping into the visitor centre, it is clear that Belleek Pottery is geared up to give everyone a warm welcome whether they are part of a large coach party or visiting alone or in a small group.

Admission to the visitor centre is free but one of the guided pottery tour experiences should definitely not be missed. We were delighted to join another couple which made our visit feel almost like a personal 30-minute tour.

Our friendly and informative guide led us on a fascinating tour of the pottery to see how the world-famous pieces are created. Along the way we learned about the processes involved and, more importantly some of the skills needed to produce such intricate and delicate pieces.

Meeting some of the Belleek craftsmen and women at work, including those creating some of the popular Belleek basket-woven pieces, made the tour even more enjoyable. There were also some hands-on opportunities which were great fun, such as the chance for us to break some pieces that didn't meet the required standards.

Afterwards, the large shop is a great place to browse for items for your home or gifts. A visit to the charming Lilly Anne’s tea room is also a must, with tasty fare all served, of course, on Belleek tableware.

For more details go to https://belleekpottery.ie/

Tranquil Devenish Island

An afternoon on the water is a fantastic way to enjoy the Fermanagh Lakelands and, as far as I'm concerned, it's even better when you sit back and let someone who knows what they are doing take the helm.

A visit to Devenish Island has been on my 'to do' list for a while but there's always been a reason not to go, mostly weather-related. The sun continued to shine so our booking on Erne Tours' cruise to the iconic monastic site onboard the MV Kestrel couldn't have had better timing.

This 48-seater, fully-glazed traditional waterbus is a very comfortable way to enjoy the stunning views of Lough Erne, with lots to learn about history and nature during the cruise which lasts one hour, 45 minutes.

With two experienced guides onboard, our group enjoyed live commentary as we passed historic landmarks such as Enniskillen Castle and Portora Lock on our way to Devenish Island on Lower Lough Erne.

As we stepped ashore, we sensed a distinctly serene atmosphere about this wonderfully tranquil place. We explored the monastic ruins at our own pace, wandering amongst Ireland's best-preserved Round Tower, the Augustinian Abbey, church ruins, ancient graveyards and a high cross.

As a holy place of worship, scholarship and burial, Devenish was and still is, only accessible by water. It felt like a strange privilege to step on this ancient ground where St Molaise founded the Devenish of the Assemblies in the 6th Century, creating the most important of Lough Erne's many island monasteries.

It was also a place of welcome for pilgrims, as well as a safe meeting place for powerful chieftains and religious leaders. There is a definite stillness about the place, well worth going with an open mind to see how it affects you.

On certain days the small museum is also open, but there are plenty of information signs around the site to offer explanations if you are there at times when it is closed.

The walk around Devenish Island is fascinating and you will learn a lot about its history between the information available on the island and that gleaned from the Erne Tours’ guides. However, this fabulous cruise certainly isn't solely for history buffs. Our guides, who clearly enjoy their work, enthusiastically shared a variety of information on all kinds of topics related to the area, from where to spot a kingfisher and how the locks work to why the local rowing club is so successful.

All in all it was a perfect way to relax and soak up the scenery to and from this beautifully peaceful island. Definitely another 'must do' in my opinion.

For more details go to https://ernetours.com/mv-kestrel/

To find out more about what you can see and do in the Fermanagh Lakelands, go to https://www.fermanaghlakelands.com/