The Impartial Reporter has gone below the surface as part of a special photo essay into one of Enniskillen’s most iconic buildings.

The former South West College site has been vacated, but plenty of secrets and history are un-derground in the immediate area – such as part of the historic County Gaol that is housed at the back of the building.

Of the facility that was built to house 120 prisoners, Catherine Scott, Development Officer with Learning and Access Museum Services at Fermanagh and Omagh District Council, said: “The County Gaol, at Gallows Green, stood in Gaol Square.

“The gaol was built by Lord Enniskillen (1812-15) to house 120 prisoners, and the architect was Richard Morrison.

“Morrison designed a cruciform block surrounded by a high wall. The gaol was later extended circa 1850 at the then cost of £7,000.”

The governor of the gaol in 1834 was Mr. F. Gallaogly, who was succeeded by Mr. J. Lamb in 1839.

Revealing some interesting details in the gaol’s history, Catherine said: “The 1834 Ordnance memoirs note the discovery of skeletons at the rear of the prison; many of them had the outline of the old Irish ‘gad’, indicating that they had been hanged.”

Local historian Breege McCusker also noted that: “At one time the iron railing surrounding the gaol had four death heads spaced at intervals along it; this must have had a significant impact on anyone entering the town,” in her work, ‘The County Gaol and Some Past Crimes and Punishments in County Fermanagh’.

Breege also noted that: “Executions were not common, but when held were over the steps leading to the entrance door of the prison.

“The last public executions were on August 9, 1849, when huge crowds gathered to see Thomas Kerr and Thomas Wilson hung for committing murder.”

In 1909-1911, architect William Scott was responsible for the plans of the new technical school and altered and renovated the old county gaol.

The Technical College was opened by the Countess of Aberdeen on October 25, 1911.

Parts of the former gaol had left their mark on the education site which became the South West College. In the Grand Hall, outlines of the arches of former cells can be seen along the wall.

Other cells show tiny windows where prisoners may have seen a small glimpse of the sky and life outside of their cells.

The gaol in its time caused great public interest, and there were many events recorded through-out its history, including a report from the Erne Packet newspaper on January 2, 1817, which recorded the escape of six prisoners.

Looking over documents from that time, many events and happenings were recorded as part of the historical record.

The gaol and its surrounding area have been a great fascination for locals for many years – the surrounding area is now known as Gaol Square, but another area of the town was known as Gaol Street, running from the gaol to East Bridge Street.

Now however, the building is vacant and dormant, and is currently owned by the Education Authority.

It is unknown what the future may hold for the future of this Enniskillen landmark.

With thanks to Catherine Scott, for kindly providing information on this historic site.