It’s Spring at last and here in Fermanagh there’s much talk of brighter days and boat trips, of spring lambs and shamrocks, of daffodils and hot cross buns.
This year Easter Sunday comes early on March 27th when British Summer Time also begins and our clocks spring forward one hour. If you’re wondering why it moves around from year to year (from March 22 –April 25) it’s because the date is set for the first Sunday after the first full moon following the northern spring equinox. Confused? Take heart, for there’s talk of fixing future Easter Sundays around a regular date every year.
In Anglo Saxon times when Easter was called Eostre, pagan festivals celebrated the Saxon goddess of Spring with fertility rites that involved real bunny rabbits and the painting of newly laid eggs. Nowadays, of course, we celebrate new life with eggs of the creamy chocolate variety, the bigger the better and preferably filled with chocolate buttons and bound up with ribbons and bows.
This Eastertide you’re sure to receive a warm Fermanagh welcome at the Killyhevlin Lakeside Hotel, the perfect base from which to enjoy all the special seasonal events that are happening in the area.
National Trust volunteers are busy Spring cleaning the big houses at Castlecoole and Florencecourt in preparation for your visit. In Enniskillen Castle grounds there’ll be Easter Egg trails and live music. With a spring in your step you can follow designated paths through wild snowdrop and bluebell dells or you can enjoy the secluded charm of carefully tended walled gardens where rose bushes are already beginning to bud.
Sweet lovers love the spring so if you’re thinking of tying the knot, may we suggest the place to propose could be the romantic gazebo in the Killyhevlin Lakeside Hotel garden or the secluded summer house at Crom or the magical Marble Arch Caves.
, 23 and 24 March
Enniskillen’s most glamorous and talented country and western star, Lisa McHugh, struts her stuff with special guest Malachi Cush. Ardhowen Theatre
Share Village, Lisnaskea 21 – 25 March
Multi activity week for 8-12 year olds to learn circus skills, archery, have their faces painted or go bunny cruising and banana skiing. The fun continues for all the family until April 3. Book a cruise to Crom or a tour of the castle on board Share’s own Inishcruiser.
MV Kestral at the Round ‘O’ jetty in Enniskillen offers daily tours of Lough Erne including a visit to Devenish Island where, in the 6th century, St. Molaise founded a monastery and in the 12th century, a perfect round tower was built as a look-out post and refuge for the monks when the Vikings raided the region.
Irvinestown - garden of the Sacred Heart church. Visit the Devenish figures, Celtic saints and scholars carved from Irish oak.
Orchard Acre Farm, Easter Monday, real egg blowing and egg painting. Easter Tuesday, vintage afternoon tea.
Castle Archdale Country Park, From March 26, Easter Fun Activities for kids include cookery demonstrations on 31st March and 1st April.
Forthill Park Enniskillen, Picnic in the Park, Easter Monday.Grab your Easter bonnets and picnic baskets and mount the steps from Belmore Street to join in an Easter Egg hunt, climb Cole’s monument, see rare breed hens and sing along with Cathy McGovern in the shade of the magnificent Victorian cast iron bandstand.
At the Killyhevlin Lakeside Hotel, you can be a VIP guest for a special Afternoon Tea in the gorgeous new conservatory with uninterrupted views of Lough Erne. Dine in style in the Kove restaurant where the menu and the mood will be just as you like it.