Lisnaskea
Lisnaskea
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| Lisnaskea shown within Northern Ireland | |
| Population | 2,739 (2001 Census) |
| Irish grid reference | H3634 |
| District | |
| County | |
| Country | Northern Ireland |
| Sovereign state | United Kingdom |
| Post town | ENNISKILLEN |
| Postcode district | BT92 |
| Dialling code | 02867 |
| EU Parliament | Northern Ireland |
| UK Parliament | |
| NI Assembly | |
Lisnaskea (from Irish: Lios na Scéithe, meaning "fort of the shield") is the second-biggest settlement in County Fermanagh, Northern Ireland. It is situated mainly in the townland of Lisoneill, with some areas in the townland of Castle Balfour Demesne, both in the civil parish of Aghalurcher and the historic barony of Magherastephana. It had a population of 2,739 people in the 2001 Census.
The town is built around the long main street, which bends at almost 90 degrees along its course. At the middle, the old market place contains a high cross (grid ref:H364340) from an early monastery. 19th century buildings include the former market house, corn market and butter market. The Castle Park Leisure Centre is situated just off the main street.
Lisnaskea was once the seat of the Maguire Clan and its strategic importance led to the town changing hands many times over the years. The 17th century remains of Castle Balfour, are just off the Main Street in Lisnaskea, built around 1618 by James, Lord Balfour. The castle was altered in 1652 and damaged in 1689, but remained inhabited into the 19th century. It was restored and conserved in the 1960s and 1990s. In 1821 the village came under the control of the Earls of Erne. They established the market in the town whilst bolstering and controlling development around the high street.
There was also evidence of a very much earlier ringfort (with radiocarbon dates of 359-428 AD) in the townland of Castle Balfour Demesne suggesting the area was inhabited from a very early date. The ruins of the old monastery, associated with St Ronan, who died some time before 635 AD, are to the west of the town.
In December 2013, suspected dissident republicans fired shots at Lisnaskea police station, with no resultant casualties.
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Wikipedia