Council Profile

Fermanagh District Council is a unique local authority in that it covers one entire county in Northern Ireland. County Fermanagh makes up 1/8 of the province’s land mass and the Council represents the largest local government district in geographical terms. This encourages and enables a strategic approach to the planning and delivery of its services, enhancing co-operation with other government agencies and statutory authorities.

Fermanagh is a county immersed in beautiful unspoilt lakeland landscapes and breathtaking mountainscapes. Often referred to as the Lakeland County, 1/5 of the area is covered by water. The County has a growing population of 57,600, of which 70% live in rural areas. Enniskillen Town is the main centre of population with 12,000 inhabitants. Since 1990 the population of the County has increased by 7% and the predicted  population growth is higher than elsewhere in the province at 1.5% per annum.

Like all predominantly rural regions Fermanagh faces a number of challenges associated with peripherality. The County has a population density of 31 persons per square km. This wide population dispersal and low density is exacerbated by the natural geography of the area. The County is bisected by Upper and Lower Lough Erne restricting travel within the region. Fermanagh has high levels of housing unfitness, long term unemployment and rural deprivation, all above the Northern Ireland average.

Fermanagh is renowned for its rich cultural identity and strong sense of community. The Council in partnership with the vibrant Fermanagh community has adopted and maintained a holistic approach to local development, tackling local issues with resilience and confidence, creating a shared sense of hope and optimism for the future.