County FERMANAGH: a county of Ireland, in the province of Ulster, bounded N.W. by Donegal, N.E. by Tyrone, E. by Monaghan and S.W. by Cavan and Leitrim. The area is 457,369 acres or about 715 sq. m. The county is situated mostly in the basin of the Erne, which divides the county into two nearly equal sections. Its surface is hilly, and its appearance (in many parts) somewhat sterile) though in the main, and especially in the neighborhood of Lough Erne, it is picturesque and attractive. The climate, though moist, is healthy, and the people are generally tall and robust. The chief mountains are Cuilcagh (2188 ft.), partly in Leitrim and Cavan, Belmore (1312), Glenkeel (1223), North Shean (1135), Tappahan (1110), Carnmore (1034). Tossett or Toppid and Turaw mountains command extensive prospects, and form striking features in the scenery of the county. But the most distinguishing features of Fermanagh are the Upper and Lower Loughs Erne, which occupy a great extent of its surface, stretching for about 45 m. from SE. to N.W. These lakes are expansions of the river Erne, which enters the cOunty from Cavan at Wattle Bridge. It passes Belturbet, the Loughs Erne, Enniskillen and Belleek, on its way to the Atlantic, into which it descends at Ballyshannon. At Belleek it forms a considerable waterfall and is here well known to sportsmen for its good salmon fishing. Trout are taken in most of the loughs, and pike of great size in the Loughs Erne. There are several mineral springs in the county, some of them chalybeate, others sulphurous. At Belcoo, near Enniskillen, there is a famous well called Daragh Phadric, held in repute by the peasantry for its cure of paralytic and other diseases; and 4 m. N.W. of the same town, at a place called the Daughton, are natural caves of considerable size.By the ancient Irish the district was called Feor-magli-Eanagh, or the country of.the lakes(lit. the mountain-valley marsh district ); and also Magh-uire, or the country of the waters. A large portion was occupied by the Guarii, the ancestors of the MacGuires or Magtfires, a name still common in the district. This family was so influential that for centuries the county was called after it Maguires Country, and one of the towns still existing bears its name, Maguiresbridge. Fermanagh was formed into a county on the shiring of Ulster in 1585 by Sir John Perrot, and was included in the well-known scheme of colonization of James I., the Plantation of Ulster. In 1689 battles were fought between William III.s army and the Irish under Macarthy (for James II.), Lisnaskea (26th July) and Newtownbutler (3oth July). The chief place of interest to the antiquary is Devenish Island in Lough Erne, about 24 m. N.W. from Enniskillen (qv.), with its ruined abbey, round tower and cross. In various places throughout the county may be seen the ruins of several ancient castles, Danish raths or encampments, and tumuli, in the last of which urns and stone coffins have sometimes been found. The round tower on Devenish Island is one of the finest examples in the country.

VIGNETTES INCLUDE:

1. LOUGH ERNE
2. ROUND TOWER AND CHURCH ON DEVENISH
3. SCULPTURE ON ROUND TOWER - NORTH SIDE
4. TULLY CASTLE
5. MONEA CASTLE

JOHN SAVAGE