Enniskillen Workhouse

The Workhouse Enniskillen is now open thanks to The National Lottery Heritage Fund awarding funding of £2.3m in 2019 to Fermanagh and Omagh District Council, in partnership with South West College.

The building has been sympathetically restored, conserving its important historic features, highlighting its fascinating history, and offering a modern business enterprise facility and heritage hub on this landmark site.

Made possible by money raised by National Lottery players, together with match funding contributions of £231,935 each from Fermanagh and Omagh District Council and South West College, the project saw the restoration of this large Victorian stone building, with new life breathed into the walls of the Workhouse.

Original architectural features have been revealed and restored. Artefacts, such as the Enniskillen Workhouse bell have been brought home to awaken the Workhouse once again.

This is the only Workhouse in Northern Ireland telling the story of its inmates, the famine period, and the lives of those within it up to its closure.

The dedicated heritage space includes stories of some of the people who lived and died in the Workhouse. These former residents have now been given a voice to tell their stories through a mixed-use exhibition, reminiscence, display area and a dedicated heritage trail.

In addition, and looking to a positive sustainable future, part of the Workhouse has been transformed into a modern business innovation and enterprise hub.

Fermanagh and Omagh District Council, working in partnership with South West College, aim to establish a business hub to support the needs of local start-ups and budding entrepreneurs and facilitate the creation of high growth companies in the local area.

The business hub contains co-working desks, private office, event and meeting spaces, with desks available to hire on a part-time and full-time basis.

The Workhouse is now open weekdays for self-guided tours. For guided tours, please contact Enniskillen Castle Museum on 028 6632 3142.

To apply to become a business member, and benefit from the facilities, support and mentoring that will be on offer in the Workhouse, please visit theworkhouseenniskillen.com or telephone 02866 342226