Glenn Kelly reviews a dog-friendly, family stay at the five-star Lough Erne resort in Fermanagh.
The Christmas period can be a busy time for families. Festive work parties, crazy shopping for that all-important last gift, and decorating your home to resemble the family abode on National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation.
But what if you have had enough of all that in December? What if you wanted to get away from it all for just a couple of days and let someone else do the cooking?
Well, I was lucky enough to experience that this month, when my family and I were invited to spend a weekend at the five-star Lough Erne resort in Fermanagh to see what this hotel can offer and explore the charms of the surrounding area.
Western resort fit for a king
The hotel was opened in 2007 and incorporates a championship golf course designed by Nick Faldo. Set in 600 acres of woodland on the outskirts of Enniskillen (and under two hours from Dublin and Belfast), the relaxation vibe encapsulates you as you drive through the estate towards the hotel reception, noting the stillness of Lough Erne on your left.
To find yourself at peace is all the more impressive given we were travelling with our two kids - aged five and seven - not to mention our labradoodle, who was also invited along.
Being able to bring your dog on holiday is a rare bonus in these parts and made the trip even more magical. All hotels in Ireland should now be dog-friendly; in my opinion, we are way behind the continent on this.
After check-in, we were given the keys to one of the lodges that are dotted close to the shore beyond the main hotel building. We were lucky enough to be given a detached two-storey unit, and once we opened the door, we were blown away by the scale of the place.
With two huge en-suite bedrooms inside, a living room and even a kitchenette, we could have easily put in a week’s stay with no issues whatsoever. Our dog was most impressed with the bed provided for her, a throw-toy and even some doggy chocolate, the stuff of dreams for her.
If I had one minor gripe with the lodge, it would be the requirement to use your keycard to access every internal door in the unit. I’m not too sure what the need for this would be, but it created a bit of a headache for the first hour, trying not to forget the card when exiting a room.
Thankfully, one call to reception had a staff member come down and disarm these sensors to leave all doors unlocked - problem solved.
During the stay, we ate in both restaurants on site. The first night was in the more casual Loughside restaurant setting. A Christmas dinner was on the menu, and it was superb.
The staff were also lovely and warm and ensured our kids weren’t bored by providing colouring pages and Santa lists to complete.
On the second evening, we ate in the more formal Catalina restaurant, where a five-course tasting menu was served.
I had soup for starters, beef for my main and pear tart for dessert. The meal again was superb, and once more the staff were incredibly attentive throughout.
One of the best things about Lough Erne is the Thai Spa and swimming pool. Kids have allocated hours to swim – and practice their cannon balls – to ensure lucky couples are not disturbed when they want some R&R, and I feel this system is the best to accommodate all types of visitors to the hotel.
My wife and I also got to try out a massage in the spa, and this was wonderful too. You even get given the oils relevant to your birth year for use on your skin during the massage, and the masseuse was very knowledgeable. The whole experience was lovely and peaceful.
Travelling with a dog can be stressful at times, and exercising them can be difficult if the grounds are limited. However, there were no problems with this resort.
Mimi was busted in the evenings after getting some great runs off the lead around the "enchanted trail", which the kids also loved. No better way to walk off that big breakfast!
Enniskillen Castle
Our stay was more than just enjoying the delights of our hotel. We wanted to explore the area, and for this, we started out with a visit to Enniskillen Castle in the middle of town, just a 10-minute drive from the resort.
The castle itself is 600 years old and is located on the edge of the River Erne. You take part in a self-guided tour and explore the numerous buildings on the site. There is so much history of the place on show, and the kids loved that there was also an elf-hunt!
The staff were amazingly friendly at the castle, and they really added to the experience. If you have a spare hour on your visit to Fermanagh, make sure you tick off this historical tour.
Marble Arch Caves
No visit to Fermanagh would be complete without a visit to the caves. They are located about 25 minutes from Enniskillen and are part of the Cuilcagh Lakelands Geopark. As a UNESCO Global Geopark, it spans counties Fermanagh and Cavan and is renowned for its dramatic limestone landscapes, rich biodiversity, and internationally significant cave systems.
The whole family were excited before entering the cave system, and we were expertly led by guide Finn, who was a fountain of knowledge. The caves were opened in 1985 and have had millions of visitors since.
There are a lot of steps initially to go 65 metres underground, so this visit may not be best suited for those with certain health conditions - be sure to research this before you go. Little legs get tired, too, so be prepared to carry your little one on the steps on the way back out!
The caves themselves are truly magical, and it is no surprise they are used for musical performances and even yoga classes, given their Hollywood-like setting under fantastic lighting.
When I was walking along the pathway, I couldn’t help but think I was in the middle of a Star Wars epic; it really has that other-worldly appearance.
You will find nothing else like this on the island, and I couldn’t recommend it enough. For those concerned about the caves being claustrophobic, I can put your mind at ease. There are no really low ceilings, and it feels surprisingly airy, so make the trip, you won’t regret it.
The details
- Lough Erne Resort; One night B&B for two from £199 (approx. €220)
- Enniskillen Castle; Adults £6, kids under five go free.
- Marble Arch Caves; Adults £16, family of four £40
Other hotels in the area include Killyhevlin Hotel and The Manor House Hotel.
The views expressed here are those of the author and do not represent or reflect the views of RTÉ
