THE Bronze Sword recently bought by Enniskillen Castle's Fermanagh County Museum for £7,500 at an auction in Dublin has arrived back in Fermanagh and is now on display at Enniskillen Castle.

The ancient sword was originally found in 1952 in silt at the side of Lough Erne near Riverside, Enniskillen.

Following significant interest from the community and interested individuals, a funding collaboration between several local organisations and groups – including Fermanagh and Omagh District Council; the Lough Erne Landscape Partnership, with funding from the National Lottery Heritage Fund; the Association of Friends of the Fermanagh County Museum; and several private individuals – secured the necessary funds to put together what was ultimately a successful bid to bring the sword back to Fermanagh.

The Chair of the Council, Councillor Errol Thompson, said: “The 3,000-year-old bronze sword is very impressive and I am delighted that Fermanagh County Museum at Enniskillen Castle has obtained this beautiful sword to put on display for visitors to admire.

"It is important that the sword has returned 'home' and I am very much looking forward to learning more about its origins and its history.”

Barney Devine, Cuilcagh to Cleenish Co-ordinator, said: “Bronze Age weapons are often found in watery places, and many have been deliberately destroyed. However, in this instance, it’s fabulous to have a full-length undamaged sword and to see where the rivets secured its wooden handle and pommel."

The sword's two-edged blade measures 41cm in length; its T-shaped hilt at the top has holes for the attachment of a wooden grip. Cast in one piece, its centre of gravity is towards the point, and it was intended to be used in a slashing manner.

Sarah McHugh, Museum and Heritage Manager, said: “We’ve all been living in a world of the ‘virtual ‘and the ‘digital’ for the past year, but these cannot replace an ‘actual', be it an actual person, or in this case, an actual sword.

"The sword has had quite a journey getting here, and the fact that it is here is a credit to the people locally and our funders."

Lough Erne Landscape Partnership Programme Manager Elmarie Swanepoel said: "I am really pleased that the Partnership could help make this happen for the people of Fermanagh.

"I really hope that this will inspire many more people to get involved with the rich heritage [of the county] and come to the museum to have a look at this unique find that is so special in many ways."

Jim McGreevy, Committee Member, The National Lottery Heritage Fund, said: “We are delighted that through the Lough Erne Landscape Partnership, we’re able to support the acquisition of this unique heritage asset, and bring it back to County Fermanagh, where its story began thousands of years ago."

Esdille Lappin, Chair of the Association of Friends of Fermanagh County Museum, said: "The Museum Friends are really indebted to the people who discovered it was for sale at auction, earlier this year.

"It’s great to have the sword back in Co. Fermanagh, and here in Enniskillen. It will be of great interest to schoolchildren who visit the museum and take part in the museum’s education programmes.”