The Lough Erne Heritage Festival celebrated local heritage with resounding success over week-long celebrations.

There were 55 engaging events, including an international conference and a large Festival Celebration Day on Saturday, October 5.

The overall festival week attracted more than 8,500 visitors from both Northern Ireland and internationally, creating a memorable experience for all who attended.

The festival highlighted the achievements of the LELP programme, which has successfully coordinated more than 40 projects since its inception in 2018.

The programme will come to an end later this year.

These projects have significantly enhanced the region's natural, cultural, and built heritage, solidifying Lough Erne’s status as an area of exceptional importance.

The Lough Erne Heritage Festival was made possible thanks to the support of The National Lottery Heritage Fund and the Esmée Fairbairn Foundation, as well as additional contributions from LELP’s programme partners, including RSPB NI, Waterways Ireland, the National Trust and Fermanagh & Omagh District Council.

Enniskillen BID also provided support for the Festival Celebration Day held in Enniskillen.

A key highlight of the week was the two-day conference, 'A Meeting of Minds: Lough Erne Stillwaters Conference 2024', where experts and practitioners gathered to discuss freshwater management, water quality, biodiversity, and sustainable practices – topics crucial to the future of the Lough Erne region.

The grand finale, held on October 5 at Enniskillen Castle and the Broadmeadow, was a true celebration of heritage, with more than 6,500 attendees enjoying 70-plus different heritage demonstrations, vintage vehicles, traditional games, live music, an artisan market, workshops, talks, and the 'Honouring the Erne' water parade.

Other events throughout the week including arts and culture, a cold water dip at sunrise, and a series of talks. 

Richard Watson, Chairman of the Lough Erne Landscape Partnership, expressed his delight, saying: “The success of this festival demonstrates the strong commitment of our community to celebrating and preserving our unique heritage.

"We are grateful to all who participated and contributed to this memorable event.”

Joanne Sherwood, from the RSPB NI, said: “The LELP team have been an integral part of the RSPB NI team at Lough Erne, and have been amazing in helping us all build possibility for collaborating around the conservation management of the landscape and the possibility of enabling more people to act for nature.

"It has been humbling and a privilege to witness the team's passion and determination to deliver the best possible impact for the Erne’s people, nature and built heritage."

Elmarie Swanepoel, LELP Programme Manager, added: “LELP has become an integral part of the heritage landscape in Fermanagh over the past six years.

"We hope that this festival enabled all of our programme and project partners to celebrate the work that they do in the region to tirelessly protect, conserve and enhance the rich and unique history of Lough Erne and the communities and people that call this wonderful place home.”