The lettering on an ornamental arch leading to Inis Ceithleann island was erected and then removed last week by Fermanagh District Council following an “amicable” debate between Councillors, it has been claimed.

Despite a previous row, which one councillor described as “toxic”, over the wording of a sign at the Cherrymount Link road (now referred to as Crannog Way/Bealach na Crannóige), the changes to the Inis Ceithleann sign were “a matter of fact rather than a fact of contention.” That’s according to Sinn Féin Councillor Thomas Maguire, who said the final version “was resolved amicably; it’s not not perfect, but it’s amicable.” Councillors told The Impartial Reporter that the new sign will read ‘Inis Cethleann’ Park.

When asked about the removal of the lettering, Councillor Maguire initially said: “Ring back when the job is finished.” He went on to say: “I don’t want to be seen to be creating a fuss or an impression of contentiousness.” Three ornamental arches have been erected in Enniskillen since last summer, reading: Fort Hill Park, Eden Street and Inis Ceithleann. The Inis Ceithleann arch was suggested last September as a means of marking Enniskillen winning the title of Ireland’s Best Kept Large Urban Centre.

This week, some Councillors were surprised to hear that the lettering had been erected and subsequently removed. The SDLP’s Frank Britton said it was “an oversight” and the proper lettering will go up “shortly.” A number of Councillors insisted that “there was never any issue about Irish language” and it was a spelling issue.

At Tuesday evening’s Environmental Services meeting Councillors agreed to place a sign on the arch outlining the history and myth surounding Inis Ceithleann.

Thomas Maguire admits: “I got overly excited when I saw it go up, but I knew there had to be an adjustment made.” He said that in older Ordinance Survey maps the area is described as Inis Ceithleann island, but in newer OS maps it is called Enniskillen island. There was also a debate among Councillors about whether the area can be described as a park.

He added that the fact that Princess Diana visited Inis Ceithleann island is a recognition of the Irish name by the Royal family.

“The matter was brought to the attention of the Environmental Services Committee. They had to make an adjustment and there was a resolution that was to everyone’s satisfaction and was in line with guidelines,” said Councillor Maguire, a proponent of the Irish language.

On the issue of Irish language policy within Fermanagh District Council, he says: “I have been working tirelessly over two-and-a-half years. Despite misleading articles in newspapers there’s a good working relationship on Irish language and other cultural matters.” He continues: “Any contentious issues will be dealt with by the working group.” (This group was established in late 2013 when the Council was reviewing its linguistic diversity policy and hiring an Irish and Ulster Scots officer.)