Ireland (Lonely Planet, 9th Edition) - Fionn Davenport [597]
Erne Tours ( 6632 2882; www.ernetoursltd.com; Round ‘O’ Quay, The Brook; adult/child £10/6; 10.30am, 2.15pm & 4.15pm daily Jul & Aug, 2.15pm & 4.15pm daily Jun, 2.15pm & 4.15pm daily Tue, Sat & Sun May, Sep & Oct) operates 1¾-hour cruises on Lower Lough Erne aboard the 56-seat waterbus MV Kestrel, calling at Devenish Island along the way. It departs from the Round ‘O’ Quay, just west of the town centre on the A46 to Belleek. There are also Saturday evening cruises (adult/child £29/15; 6.30pm May-Sep) that include a three-course dinner at the Killyhevlin Hotel, departing from the hotel jetty.
Sleeping
BUDGET
Bridges Youth Hostel ( 6634 0110; www.hini.org.uk; Belmore St; dm/s/tw £17/22/39; ) This modern, purpose-built hostel is in a great location overlooking a river in the centre of town. It has mostly four-bed dorms, each with en suite bathroom, plus six twin rooms, a kitchen, restaurant, laundry and bike shed. Consult the website for daytime closing hours (when check-in is not available).
MIDRANGE
Rossole Guesthouse ( 6632 3462; nora.sheridan@btinternet.com; 85 Sligo Rd; s/d from £30/50; ) A modern Georgian-style house with a sunny conservatory overlooking a small lake, the five-room Rossole is an angler’s delight – you can fish in the lake, and there are rowing boats for guests at the bottom of the garden. It’s 1km southwest of the town centre on the A4 Sligo road.
Greenwood Lodge ( 6632 5636; www.greenwoodlodge.co.uk; 17 Killyvilly Ct, Tempo Rd; s/d from £35/50; ) The owners of this spacious and modern villa, set on a quiet side street 3km northeast of town off the B80, go out of their way to make you feel welcome. The three homely bedrooms all have en suite bathrooms, the breakfasts are freshly prepared, and there is secure storage available for bikes.
Mountview Guesthouse ( 6632 3147; www.mountviewguests.com; 61 Irvinestown Rd; s/d from £45/65; ) Indulge in a spot of country-house comfort in this large, ivy-clad Victorian villa set in wooded grounds. There are three bedrooms with private bathrooms, a luxurious lounge and even a snooker room with a full-size table. The Mountview looks out over Race Course Lough, just a 10-minute (800m) walk north from the town centre.
Belmore Court Motel ( 6632 6633; www.motel.co.uk; Tempo Rd; d from £60, apt £85-140; ) Recently expanded from its original row of terrace houses into a huge modern extension, the friendly Belmore offers stylish and spacious ‘superior’ rooms in the new building (single/double from £80/95) and, in the old, family ‘mini-apartments’ with self-catering facilities.
Westville Hotel ( 6632 0333; www.westvillehotel.co.uk; 14-20 Tempo Rd; s/d from £80/95; ) A dash of style arrived on Enniskillen’s rather staid accommodation scene with the opening of the Westville in 2008. Designer fabrics, cool colour combinations, good food and welcoming staff make this our favourite place to stay in town.
TOP END
Killyhevlin Hotel ( 6632 3481; www.killyhevlin.com; Killyhevlin; s/d from £95/130; ) Enniskillen’s top hotel is 1.5km south of town on the A4 Maguiresbridge road, in an idyllic setting overlooking Upper Lough Erne. Many of its 43 effortlessly elegant rooms enjoy stunning views over landscaped gardens to the lough; there are also 13 two-bedroom lakeside chalets (£275 per weekend April to June, £225 per weekend November to March, £595 per week July to October).
Eating
BUDGET
Johnston’s Jolly Sandwich Bar ( 6632 2277; 3 Darling St; sandwiches £2-4; 8am-4pm Mon-Fri, 8.30am-4pm Sat) A traditional bakery selling excellent pick-and-mix sandwiches, soup, pies and cakes to take away or eat in.
Rebecca’s Place ( 6632 4499; Buttermarket; snacks £2-5; 9.30am-5.30pm Mon-Sat) A traditional cafe with pine tables and chairs, Rebecca’s is set in a craft shop (Click here) and serves good sandwiches, salads and pastries.
Ruby’s Coffee & Sandwich Bar ( 6632 9399; 10 High St; snacks £2-5; 9am-5.30pm Mon-Sat) Tucked upstairs in Eason’s bookshop is this comfy nook furnished with sofas and armchairs, offering breakfast bagels and croissants, sandwiches and salads, soups and baked