Special events are going ahead such as a Living History weekend at Florence Court and the Fermanagh Heritage Tours organisation is staging walking tours around Enniskillen on Easter Monday and Tuesday.

    The domestic market is being left in no doubt that Fermanagh is open for business due to the first ever television advertisement which has been running this week as part of a major marketing campaign.

    The advertisement features local people from the county and is designed to remind those from other parts of Northern Ireland that there is plenty to see and do in the county. The estimated tourism spend in the county is £20 million a year and a large percentage of that income comes from the domestic market. The impact of the foot-and-mouth crisis is projected to translate into a loss of revenue for the area that is in excess of £1 million by the end of next month.

    Mrs. Tanya Cathcart, Marketing Manager for Fermanagh Lakeland Tourism, commented: “We all understand that the foot-and-mouth crisis has had a dramatic impact on tourism here. This is obviously worrying for those in Fermanagh who rely on tourism and for the area as a whole. We felt that coming up to Easter — traditionally a time when so many visitors from Northern Ireland come to Fermanagh for short breaks and day trips — it was important to communicate that we are indeed open for business and to reinforce the wide range of attractions people can enjoy,” she said.

    Many of the favourite attractions are open including Belleek Pottery, Enniskillen Castle and Marble Arch Caves. The Erne-Shannon waterway is also open for cruisers.

    As for angling, access is allowed from public areas only. Anglers are restricted from accessing fishing areas through farmland. The Department of Agriculture has re-opened most of the waters in the public angling estate and has approved the re-opening of private fisheries.

    National Trust properties are open for Easter including Castle Coole, which opens on Good Friday and Florence Court, which is already open. The National Trust is asking visitors to Trust properties to comply with guidelines and the Department of Agriculture’s foot-and-mouth code for public recreation in the countryside.

    They are asking people not to approach, touch or feed farm animals; keep dogs on leads at all times; respect notices and requests from farmers and recreation managers; avoid cycling, running, walking or riding on land containing livestock; do not park in areas where livestock may gather; do not leave waste scraps of food or litter in the countryside; check which countryside recreational areas are open before starting your journey.

    The Trust’s holiday cottages at Florence Court are also now open.

    Crom Estate remains closed to the public. Castle Caldwell forest is closed as is Cuilcagh Mountain Park.

    One event which has been a favourite activity for Easter has been the Easter Morning Sunrise Service at Topped Mountain, organised by the Enniskillen Salvation Army. It has been cancelled this year owing to foot-and-mouth precautions.

    What’s on and what’s open in Fermanagh over Easter

    *Fermanagh Heritage Tours. A walking tour around Enniskillen starting at 2.30 p.m. will take place on Easter Monday and Tuesday. During next week there are also mini bus tours around Lower Lough Erne.

    *Florence Court offers visitors a chance to sample what life was like in the 18th century during a Living History Weekend from Easter Sunday to Easter Monday. Costumed actors will be at the National Trust property to chat to visitors about 18th century life at Florence Court and the issues of the day as they tour the historic mansion. The tours will take place from 2.30 p.m. to 4.30 p.m. and the normal admission prices apply.

    Open: Enniskillen Castle Castle Archdale Ely Lodge and Carrickreagh Viewpoint Lough Navar Enniskillen Omniplex Fermanagh Crystal Belleek Pottery Enniskillen Buttermarket Ardess Craft Centre Sheelin Lace Antique Irish lace Museum Marble Arch Caves (weather permitting) Castle Coole Florence Court MV Kestrel Devenish Island Ferry White Island Ferry Inish Cruiser from Share Centre Lakeland Forum on Easter Monday and Tuesday (10 a.m. to 6 p.m.) Bawnacre Centre in Irvinestown on Saturday and Tuesday