Ferman'agh

Ferman'agh, a county of Ireland, in the south-west of the province of Ulster, 45 miles long by 29 broad; area, 714 sq. m., of which 166 are arable, 368 pasture, about 100 uncultivable, and 72 water (including Upper and Lower Lough Erne). The surface is mostly a succession of mountains and hills, culminating in Belmore (1312 feet); the rocks include limestone, with many cavities and underground watercourses, millstone grit, and old red sandstone. Some coal, iron, and marble occur. The principal river is the Erne, which traverses the county in the direction of its longest axis. The soil in the low grounds is a deep rich loam, but in the limestone and sandstone districts it is cold and thin. The climate is mild and moist, though healthy. The chief products are oats, barley, wheat, potatoes, turnips, and hay; the chief exports, oats, butter, and eggs; and a little coarse linen is manufactured. Fermanagh is divided into 8 baronies and 23 parishes. It returns 2 members to parliament. Pop. (1851) 116,047; (1861) 105,768; (1871) 92,794; (1891) 74,170, of whom 41,102 were Roman Catholics. Enniskillen is the county town. Among the antiquities are a round tower and St Mary's Abbey on an island in Lough Erne, Danish raths, and ruined castles.