Many listed buildings are part of our heritage in Co Fermanagh, and dozens across the county have been designated as ‘at risk’ by the Department for Communities.
While the condition of the buildings varies, many have been left in disrepair.
Some have plans in place to restore the properties but have seen delays in recent years.
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Have a look at five of the buildings across the county currently highlighted as being at risk on the Heritage at Risk register.
Castle Irvine, Irvinestown
Fermanagh and Omagh District Council has recently undertaken work to restore this castle so it can be put to public use.
The description for the castle on the Heritage At Risk register says ‘all avenues must be explored’ to find a new use for it.
“The grounds of the castle have been successfully developed for equestrian sports, with the substantial courtyard buildings having been sensitively restored for use as part of an agricultural college,” it says.
“In the meantime, the main building remains mothballed for want of a new use and all of its many and varied openings have been boarded up (albeit attractively) to deter vandals.
“While rescuing the building would certainly be a major undertaking, it is of such importance that all avenues must be explored to find a sustainable new use.”
Enniskillen Work House
One of the last remaining intact workhouses from across Northern Ireland, the local council are currently undertaking a project to restore the property as a mixed-use exhibition, reminiscence and display space.
"As the only largely intact survivor of the former Enniskillen Union Workhouse this front building has become an important artefact in terms of the social history of Enniskillen and its hinterland" the register says.
"Workhouses in N Ireland are now becoming increasingly rare with many other examples having been totally demolished or more substantially altered, while many have been victims to vandalism and arson attacks."
Former Lanesborough Arms Hotel, Newtownbutler
MyFermanagh recently highlighted the levels of dereliction in the border town, and the former hotel is a major symbol of that.
The At Risk register says it remains in relatively good condition, but until something is agreed for its future it will remain at risk.
“It retains much of its original external character. Many original internal features remain such as window linings and stairs (MBR).
“The building has remained vacant for many years and contributes greatly to the village. The condition and maintenance of the building is fairly good at present [2019], however with no solution agreed for its future and until something is agreed the building will remain at risk.”
Old Church, Cooneen
Restoration of this site would present a ‘great challenge’ its description says, after it was deconsecrated in the 1940s.
“The neighbouring former national church has been successfully converted from dereliction into a community hall but the former church, which was deconsecrated in the 1940s, has deteriorated quite significantly with the central section of the roof having collapsed inwards.
“Restoration of this important building, integrating it with the national school site, would present a great challenge for the future.”
Ederney Post Office
The building has been vacant for a number of years and has suffered from lack of maintenance.
“There is interest in the revival of the building through the Ederney Community Development Trust to develop the building into a community well-being hub.”
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