Birthday Celebration at Lough Erne Resort in Fabulous Fermanagh

We decided to spend a few days in County Fermanagh around the time of my birthday. We looked around at various hotels/self catering options, and surprisingly the 5 star Lough Erne Resort quoted us a very reasonable price for a 2 bedroom Lodge, for no more than other more modest hotels in the area had quoted us.

Lough Erne Resort

The Lough Erne Resort featured recently a lot in the local and international news, as it was the venue for the June 2013 G8 summit. We were keen to see the much discussed resort for ourselves, and sample some of the Fermanagh hospitality which seemed to have been a huge hit with the world leaders and press journalists who came.

We drove down from Bushmills, a rather long and convelouted trip through may Northern Ireland towns and townlands I have not been through in years! These included Garvagh, Swatragh, Maghera, Tobermore, Moneymore, Cookstown, Dungannon, Augher, Clougher, Fivemiletown and Enniskillen! Phew! We were glad to arrive around 2pm, and delighted to discover our rooms (Lodge 17) was ready before the regular check-in time of 4pm.

Although the exterior of the Lodges (and the rest of the hotel) were maybe not to our taste (bit bland and characterless) the furnishings and decor inside did not disappoint. There was a bedroom upstairs with lovely views over the water, and a huge bathroom with free-standing bath.

Downstairs was a sitting room with more lovely views and a kitchenette (we only used the fridge, but microwave etc all provided too). Off the sitting room was another bathroom and a second bedroom.

My husband and son headed off to the pool (kids under 12 only allowed in between 10 am and 4pm) my daughters and I explored the grounds and took a photo or two or more!

Our lodge reminded me a bit of a Rapunzel tower (only shorter, and without the long hair!)

We headed into Enniskillen for dinner that evening, going to Francos for pizza. Service was SLOW but the delicious pizza just about made up for it, although it was quite pricey for what is was.  We headed around to Mauds ice cream for “pudding” – can’t beat Pooh Bear ice cream, except perhaps with Choccy Pooh Bear ice cream!

Back to our Lodge, and this time my daughters and I headed over to the Pool/spa.  The pool and jacuzzi were very quiet – just us for most of the time, and it was lovely, although surprisingly small for the size of the hotel. The changing rooms were even smaller – wouldn’t want to be in there at a peak time!

My Birthday Day!

Did you know that Google wish you “Happy Birthday” on your birthday? I didn’t!

With some having more sleep than others (!) the kids brought me their presents around 8am – chocolates, a mug and a cute wee heart. My main present from my husband being a new wee ginger kitten (being kindly cared for by our neighbour while we were in Fermanagh).

After breakfast we all headed out with a map of the grounds, and explored the Collop walk around the Faldo golf course and back to our lodge. We even managed a family photo on my iPhone – a rare photo of me on this blog!

Some of our family headed back to the pool, the rest relaxed. We went into Enniskillen for a late lunch of M&S sandwiches, and then I took a wee trip down memory lane.

As today was my birthday, that meant that 46 years ago (TO THE DAY!) I was born up in Algeo Drive, so we drove up to have a look, and I took a pic of the old house – it has been extended quite a bit, but still the same, with the same lovely views down over Lough Erne and Enniskillen town.

 

It was amazing how many different memories came back, considering we moved away from Enniskillen when I was aged just 6.

We spent a little time in the town of Enniskillen, with many of the family owned businesses still surviving. One of the most poignant part of being back in Enniskillen is seeing where the Poppy Day Bomb happened – but I will blog more about that another day.

In the evening, back at the lodge, my husband and I were really looking forward to a birthday meal in the Catalina Restaurant ……  we were NOT disappointed!

It was a beautiful evening as we walked over to the main hotel.

Each course was perfect ….. do you want to know the details? If so, read on…….. if not, skip over the next bit!

Selection of breads to start with.

Then a delicious pre-starter : strawberry and banana mini smoothie with a gin and sapphire foam (apparently!)

For starters – Fivemiletown Goats Cheese with for me, and Chicken Liver Parfait

Mains – Beef Bourginon for me, Mixed Grill for my husband

Dessert – not much room left, but we still found room to sample the sorbets and the ice-creams.

Finally, as a wee surprise, they brought out this lovely birthday platter.

When the chef came around at the end of the evening he told me he had the kitchen staff ready to give me the bumps! I replied that as long as there weren’t the correct number of candles on my platter we would be ok 🙂

A beautiful meal, lovely setting, very attentive and friendly staff – 10 / 10!

All Good Things Must End  – Farewell Fermanagh

A final swim and then we packed up to check out – shame to leave such a lovely place – hope we will be back soon.

Thanks for bearing with me through this LONG blog post!  All  photos taken with my iPhone camera (I did bring my DSLR – I’ll maybe upload them in a separate post another day!)

Where have you spent a memorable birthday? Do share in the comments, I really appreciate them.