FERMANAGH, fer-man' a, an inland county of Ireland, in Ulster, inclosed by the cos. of Denegal, Tyrone, Monaghan, Cavan, Leitrim and Connaught. Area 714 square miles. Mountain limestone is the prevalent rock, with old red sandstone, and millstone grit. Soil generally rich loam. Pop. 116,007. The surface varies from the richest vales to the wildest uplands. The lakes, Upper and Lower Erne, with their connecting river, divide the county into two nearly equal portiions. It sends 3 members to the House of Commons, 2 for the county, and 1 for Enniskillen, its chief town.
EN NISKIL' LEN, a parliamentary and municipal borough, thriving market-town, and parish of Ireland, Ulster, capital, co. of Fermanagh, mostly built on an island, on the river connecting Upper and lower Lough Erne, 87 miles N.W. of Dublin. The parish is noted for its picturesque scenery. Pop. of town, 5686. It is well built, and has a county court-house and prison, a town-hall, in which are preserved the banners borne by the Enniskilleners at the battle of the Boyne, a richly endowed school, large barracks, an infirmary, union work-house, linen-hall, 2 or 3 branch banks, 2 weekly newspapers, &c., a small manufactory of cutlery. The borough sends 1 member to the House of Commons. Enniskillen was founded in 1641 by Sir William Cole, to whose family it still mostly belongs, and now give the title of earl. The inhabitants warmly supported the Protestant cause in the war of 1689, successfully defended their town against King James' forces, and afterwards distinguished themselves at the battle of the Boyne. From the "ENNISKIL' LINERS" have been formed the gallant regiment known as "the Enniskillen dragoons."
from Lippincott's Pronouncing Gazetteer, Philadelphia, 1856.