CIMS Annual Outing to
Enniskillen and Florence Court
Branch Members from Ballyholme, Ballymore (Tandragee) Carnmoney,
Cregagh, Eglantine, Holywood and Malone left Belfast by coach for
Enniskillen.
On arrival in Enniskillen the party of 35 members and wives were met by
the Dean of Clogher the Very Revd Kenneth Hall (unusually a Dean of two
cathedrals - Enniskillen and Clogher).
After a welcome cup of tea or coffee with a scone we moved into St
Macartin’s cathedral where Dean Hall celebrated Holy Communion in a side
chapel.
After the Service Dean Hall told us about the cathedral before being
joined by Monsignor Peter O’Reilly from St Michael’s across the road.
Together they told us how they found out about the planned visit by HM
the Queen and how arrangements had to be made in confidence – St
Michael’s even removed pews from the rear half of their Church.
They were invited to Windsor Castle.
Later that year a memorable community carol service, in aid of Cancer
Focus, was held jointly between St Macartin’s and St Michael’s. The
service commenced in Saint Macartin’s and then midway during the service
the choirs, clergy and congregation (400 people) processed across Church
Street to Saint Michael’s for the second half of the service.
They also told about steps they had taken to reach asolution on where to site a memorial to the victims of an IRA bomb on Remembrance Sunday, 1987.
Monsignor O’Reilly then led us across Church Street in the steps of HM
the Queen. Inside the church he told us about the building.
The
Dean of Clogher and Rector of Enniskillen, the Very Revd Kenneth
Hall
Monsignor Peter O’Reilly leads us across the street
in the steps of HM the Queen
From Enniskillen our coach brought us to National Trust Florence Court. On arrival we went to the courtyard Stables restaurant for a soup and sandwich lunch. We were then split into two groups for a tour of the house. Florence Court was the seat of the Earls of Enniskillen until 1973. The 5th Earl transferred the house and fourteen acres to the National Trust in 1953. In 1955 a devastating fire destroyed the upper floors of the house.
After seeing the house we walked down to the walled garden where David Corscadden gave us a guided tour and told us about future plans.
