Page 256 - (DK Eyewitness) Back Roads Travel Guide - Ireland

254 BACK ROADS IRELAND

1 Belleek Guided tours (mid-Mar–Oct: daily, last
Co Fermanagh tour 4.30pm, 5pm Jul–Aug; book during
This quiet village on the banks of peak times, 028 6634 8855) begin with
Lough Erne has quaint, hand- an underground boat ride through a
painted shop fronts. It is famous for mesmerizing landscape of stalactite-
its fine parian china, an industry filled caverns, stone pools, streams
introduced to the village by the and cascades, each feature
local landowner in 1857, in the atmospherically lit. The 9-m (30-ft)
wake of the potato famine. At the Marble Arch itself stands in a glen
Belleek Pottery Visitor Centre (Jan– at the confluence of three streams.
Feb: Mon–Fri; Mar–Dec: daily, Sun pm Tours last 75 minutes and are
only), guided tours take visitors to suitable for anyone of reasonable
see the delicate Belleek china being fitness (wear walking shoes and a
crafted and decorated. A museum warm sweater). Facilities include
displays Belleek ware from the a restaurant and exhibition area.
company’s earliest days, including ª Leaving Marble Arch Caves, drive
an urn-shaped vase made for the down the entrance road and turn left.
Above Walkway down to the Marble Arch 1900 Paris Exhibition, and there At the next T-junction, turn right.
Caves, one of Europe’s top show caves is a showroom and tearoom. Drive through the small hamlet of
ª Cross the bridge by the Pottery, Florence Court and turn right into
veer left then turn left and follow signs Florence Court.
for the A46, a lovely drive alongside
Lower Lough Erne. After 21 km (13 Lough Navar Forest Drive
miles), just after Tully Castle, turn right This is an extensive area of
onto the B81 at Binmore Road for woodland with a diverse array of
Derrygonnelly. Continue to Monea and habitats. A 7-mile (11 km) scenic
WHERE TO STAY 2 km (1 mile) after Monea turn right at tour, known as the Forest Drive
(open daily, 10am–sunset), begins off
the crossroads, then right again after the Glennasheevar Road between
AROUND MARBLE ARCH CAVES another 1 mile (2 km) at a T-junction. Derrygonnelly and Garrison, and
Customs House Country Inn Follow the signs to Belcoo, then turn emerges at the spectacular 300-m
inexpensive–moderate left in Blacklion for Florence Court. Turn (1,000 ft-) high Magho Cliffs, with
This country hotel is at Belcoo, on the right for the Marlbank Scenic Loop. The an outstanding viewpoint over
drive route from Belleek to Marble entrance for Marble Arch Caves is 8 km Lower Lough Erne, Donegal and
Arch Caves and 20 km (12 miles) from the surrounding mountains. From
the caves off the N16. It offers a warm (5 miles) along this drive, on the left. the main forest drive there are
welcome, good food and lovely views many short walks signed to
over Lough Macnean. 2 Marble Arch Caves various points of interest.
25–7 Main St, Belcoo, BT93 5FB; 028 6638 Marlbank, Co Fermanagh; BT92 1EW
6285; www.customshouseinn.com These unique show caves are among
Knockninny Country House Europe’s finest and are part of an area 3 Florence Court
inexpensive–moderate of outstanding geological interest Enniskillen, Co Fermanagh; BT92 1DB
Lovingly restored Victorian hotel, recognized by UNESCO. They were A beautiful stately home dating
complete with marina, situated on
Upper Lough Erne’s shoreline, 14 miles/ sculpted out of limestone, which from the early 18th century,
23 km from the caves on the A509. formed when Ireland was covered by Florence Court (grounds open daily;
Knockninny Quay, Derrylin, ocean some 330 million years ago. house open Mar–Sep: pm daily; Oct:
BT92 9JU; 028 6774 8590;
www.knockninnyhouse.com
AROUND ENNISKILLEN
Killyhevlin Hotel and Health Club
moderate
A peaceful place set in extensive
grounds on the shores of Lough Erne
just 1 km (half a mile) from Enniskillen
along the A4 to Castle Coole. The pool
and Jacuzzi are good places to unwind
after a day’s driving.
Killyhevlin, BT74 6RW; 028 6632 3481;
www.killyhevlin.com

Right Setting a gentle pace on a back road in
County Fermanagh
Where to Stay: inexpensive, under £100; moderate, £100–£200; expensive, over £200

254-257_Back_Roads_Ireland.indd 254 11/09/17 12:30 pm
Back Roads LAYERS PRINTED:
Catalogue Spread template “UK” LAYER
(OpenType)
Date 29th April 2009
Size 145mm x 217mm
Fonts Bulletfont, Clearbullet,
Frutiger Pro, Myriad Pro, Travelfont