Her Majesty, Queen Elizabeth II has died

Queen Elizabeth II, the longest reigning monarch died surrounded by her family at her Balmoral home today (September 8).

There has been great sadness across Fermanagh following the news, a county that Her Majesty visited on three occasions during her lifetime.

Local historian Charlie Warmington looked back on these special visits ahead of The Queen's Platinum Jubilee celebrations earlier this year.

On March 20, 1946, as Princess Elizabeth, Her Majesty first visited the lakeland county.

Formally described by The Impartial Reporter at the time as “Her Royal Highness Princess Elizabeth, heir-presumptive to the throne of the United Kingdom, and future Empress of the British Commonwealth of Nations”, she waved and smiled at cheering crowds as her gleaming convoy motored through Ballygawley, Augher, Clogher, Fivemiletown, Brookeborough and Maguiresbridge.

The Royal procession halted in Lisbellaw, where Princess Elizabeth stepped from her car, dressed in a grey frock, coat and felt hat “with the brim rising from off her brow”, detailed the Impartial Reporter, adding: “except for a string of pearls and a diamond brooch, there was no added contrast”.

She was received in Lisbellaw by the High Sheriff for the County, and His Majesty’s Lord Lieutenant, and was presented with a bouquet of flowers by little Christine Eadie, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Ian Eadie.

Good cheer and plenty of cheering continued as the regal procession drove through the island town of Enniskillen’s crowd-lined streets to The Imperial Hotel, where Princess Elizabeth was received by Hotel Manageress, Molly O’Rourke, from Tullaghan, Bundoran.

Princess Elizabeth's visit to Enniskillen in 1946. Photos courtesy of Museum Services Fermanagh and Omagh.

Shortly after 1pm, with deafening cheers roaring over the rooftops and echoing up the side streets, Princess Elizabeth entered the quieter grandeur of the Town Hall where the Northern Ireland Governor Earl Granville introduced her to Urban Council Chairman, W. E. Johnston; Town Clerk, N. J. Connor; and Borough Surveyor, J. Donnelly.

“She made an enchanting figure,” observed The Impartial Reporter, adding “she smiled in acknowledgement and waved her hand”.

Her Majesty returned to the county in 2002, marking her Golden Jubilee year. This time she visited the village of Ballinamallard, on May 14.

During this visit, The Queen attended Rascals Playstation, a playgroup in the village where she was shown the children’s facilities, and watched with enthusiasm as the youngsters played games and displayed their expertise at woodwork and embarked on some sand and water activities, puzzles and floor games. To the added delight of the children, The Queen planted an apple tree in their newly created Jubilee Garden, which was on the site of the former railway station.

Meanwhile, a few hundred yards away, the Duke of Edinburgh was touring the Fisher complex with Managing Director Ernie Fisher. Inside, Prince Philip met local dignitaries, politicians, VIPs and the staff of the greatly-acclaimed engineering company and was introduced to some key customers.

Joining her husband in Fisher’s marquee, Her Majesty signed the visitors’ book and was introduced by Canon Paul Hoey to members of the Friday Senior Citizen’s club.

“A Friday club,” she quipped, “but this is Tuesday!” “Yes,” chorused the ladies, “but we’ll have plenty to talk about at our next Friday meeting!”

Her Majesty The Queen meeting members of the Friday Club during her visit to Ballinamallard in 2002. Photo: John McVitty.

Before leaving the marquee, both The Queen and Prince Philip were given a viewing of the special exhibition, entitled ‘Bygones of Ballinamallard’, created by Ballinamallard Historical Society.

After barely an hour in Ballinamallard, the Royal couple were whisked by car back to the football field, and then on to Omagh in their helicopter.

The Queen's final visit to Fermanagh, in 2012 during her Diamond Jubilee year, was a historical one. Visiting Enniskillen on June 26, Her Majesty attended a Thanksgiving Service in St. Macartin's Cathedral. After the service, she met privately with the families of the Remembrance Day Bombing.

HM The Queen pictured with Dean Kenny Hall during her visit to Enniskillen in 2012. Photo: John McVitty.

She then made the short walk across the street from the Anglican Cathedral’s deanery to a packed St. Michael’s Roman Catholic Church, not just making a short walk, but history, too – for the first time, The Queen had entered a Roman Catholic church on the island of Ireland.

The Very Rev. Canon O’Reilly said later: “My reading of the significance of today is that it is an expression of the unity that there is in this place – a Fermanagh welcome, a gracious Queen, a lovely lady.”

As The Impartial Reporter observed: “Small steps that meant much”.