Enniskillen (GB)

Maltese Cross of 1841 for Enniskillen on Plate 9 QH

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Enniskillen (Irish: Inis Ceithleann, 'Ceithlenn's island') is a town and civil parish in County Fermanagh, Northern Ireland.

Enniskillen was named as one of the best places to live in the UK in 2019 by the Times of London; the area comprising Hollyhill, Chanterhill Road and Cooper Crescent was described as 'the best address' for having the 'finest properties' and due to its close proximity to the centre of town.The town's name comes from the Irish: Inis Ceithleann. This refers to Cethlenn, a figure in Irish mythology who may have been a goddess. Local legend has it that Cethlenn was wounded in battle by an arrow and attempted to swim across the River Erne, which surrounds the island, but she never reached the other side, so the island was named in reference to her. It has been anglicised many ways over the centuries – Iniskellen, Iniskellin, Iniskillin, Iniskillen, Inishkellen, Inishkellin, Inishkillin, Inishkillen and so on.

By 1689 the town had grown significantly. During the conflict which resulted from the ousting of King James II by his Protestant rival, William III, Enniskillen and Derry were the focus of Williamite resistance in Ireland, including the nearby Battle of Newtownbutler.

Enniskillen and Derry were the two garrisons in Ulster that were not wholly loyal to James II, and it was the last town to fall before the siege of Derry. As a direct result of this conflict, Enniskillen developed not only as a market town but also as a garrison, which became home to two regiments.

The current site of Fermanagh College (now part of the South West College) was the former Enniskillen Gaol. Many people were tried and hanged in the square during the times of public execution. Part of the old Gaol is still used by the college. Enniskillen Town Hall was designed by William Scott and completed in 1901.

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Postmark Examples

Enniskilen Maltese Cross of 1841cancelling a Plate 9 1d Red QH, on cover sent to Swalinbar (manuscripted via Cavan but the routing did not go to Cavan as there was cross-post at Lisnaskea-Clones) The cross route was via Clones then Belturbet, Ballyconnell and finally Swalinbar. Reverse showing Left to Right Belturbet , Ballyconnell , Clones and Enneskillin Presumably the quickest postal route to get there the next day was to send it to catch the cross post from Clones.

Irish mail coach route showing the cross post from Enniskillen via Clones to Swalinbar.