Enniskillen Castle and the Marble Arch Caves will reopen to visitors on a stepped basis from Friday July 3, Fermanagh and Omagh District Council has confirmed.

Final preparations are currently being put in place at the award winning attractions to welcome back visitors following the further easing of restrictions by the NI Executive.

Visitor Centres at both sites will reopen on Friday, July 3 with pre-booked tours starting on Monday, July 13.

Speaking about the reopening of Enniskillen Castle and the Marble Arch Caves, Chairman of Fermanagh and Omagh District Council, Councillor Chris Smyth, said: “The reopening of Enniskillen Castle and the Marble Arch Caves is another positive step as we continue to move forward on our journey of recovery.

"The Council has been working hard to introduce measures that ensure both venues can reopen safely for visitors whilst ensuring that the experience remains high quality.  These measures include online booking so all tours are booked in advance as well as signage and hand sanitising units throughout the sites.  We are ensuring that we can maintain social distancing and that visitors have the time and the space to enjoy their visits.  

"We very much look forward to welcoming visitors back to Enniskillen Castle and the Marble Arch Caves this summer and to sharing the fascinating history and heritage of the area.”

Enniskillen Castle is home to the Council operated Fermanagh Visitor Information Centre and Fermanagh County Museum.  Founded around 600 years ago by the ruling Maguire chieftains, Enniskillen Castle provides the starting point for enjoying the wealth of heritage relating to Fermanagh.

The Marble Arch Caves is one Europe’s finest show caves and is set in the heart of the Marble Arch Caves UNESCO Global Geopark. Pre-booked tours will bring visitors on a world of subterranean rivers, winding passages, lofty chambers and an array of spectacular cave formations.

Visitor Centres will open at both Enniskillen Castle and Marble Arch Caves on Friday, July 3 with visitor information, gift shop  and toilet facilities available.  The Café at Marble Arch Caves Visitor Centre will be open for take-away refreshments from July 3.  The Café at Enniskillen Castle will reopen for take-away refreshments on July 13.  

Tours will begin on Monday, July 13 and must be booked in advance. Tours can be booked online at www.marblearchcaves.co.uk and www.enniskillencastle.co.uk from Wednesday, July 1. Further information including opening hours and admission rates is also available on venue websites.

In addition, guided walks of the Cladagh Glen, located beside the Marble Arch Caves, will be available from Friday, July 3. These guided walks will unlock the hidden world of the Cladagh Glen, a steep-sided limestone gorge that is thickly covered by a rare ancient ash woodland. These must also be booked in advance on-line athttp://www.marblearchcaves.co.uk/ or by contacting the Marble Arch Caves. 

For further enquiries on visiting Enniskillen Castle or the Marble Arch Caves please telephone Enniskillen Castle on 028 6632 5000 and the Marble Arch Caves on 028 6632 1815.