Behind the scenes tours of the £3.5 million redevelopment of Enniskillen Castle will take place throughout August, ahead of the museum’s re-opening on August 25.

A limited number of special free preview tours will be available next month where visitors will be guided around the Enniskillen Castle complex to see the final stages of interior and exterior work. The 45 minute tours will take place during the afternoon and evenings on selected weekdays and on Saturdays throughout August and must be booked in advance.

Four new galleries have been created at Enniskillen Castle Museums: the Fermanagh Lakelands Gallery 1 and 2; the Our Town Gallery; and the Full Circle Art Gallery. The old health centre has been transformed into a new Visitor Centre, with cafe and shop on the ground floor; a genealogy centre; a castle viewing area; and a history hub, providing access to the museum’s photographic, oral and digital film archives. A link building (in the shape of the original Armoury building) will have lots of glass, allowing visitors glimpses of the original castle wall and a castle walkway will allow visitors to walk along the roof of the link building, offering views of the castle site and of Enniskillen town.

The Enniskillen Castle Heritage Gateway project received funding from the Heritage Lottery Fund; the European Sustainable Competitiveness Programme for Northern Ireland 2007 – 2013 administered by Tourism Northern Ireland; the Department for Communities Historic Environment Division; Fermanagh and Omagh District Council; and the Friends of Fermanagh County Museum.

Sarah McHugh, Fermanagh and Omagh District Council’s Museums Services Manager, said: “The preview tours are a great opportunity to see behind the scenes as we near the completion of the redevelopment of Enniskillen Castle. 
“As well as giving people a flavour of what will be on display at the complex we are also keen to hear suggestions from those on the tours on how we could further add to the visitor experience to ensure Enniskillen Castle is a must visit attraction for locals and visitors to the area.”

The 45 minute preview tours will take place during August on Monday 1, 8, 15, and 22 at 2.30 pm; Thursday 4, 11, and 18 at 6.30 pm; and Saturday 6, 13, and 20 at 2.30 pm.
Chair of FODC, SDLP Councillor Mary Garrity said: “The Council is committed to developing quality places and quality services in partnership with others and the works to transform Enniskillen Castle into a state-of-the art heritage gateway for the Fermanagh and Omagh area and beyond is just one example of this.”
To book a place on a preview tour visit www.enniskillencastle.co.uk or telephone Fermanagh Visitor Information Centre on 028 6632 3110.