Fermanagh District Council

Fermanagh District Council was a local council in Northern Ireland. It merged with Omagh District Council in April 2015 under local government reorganisation to become Fermanagh and Omagh District Council. The borders of the district were very similar to those of the traditional County Fermanagh, containing all of that county plus a small section of County Tyrone in the Dromore Road (Irvinestown ward) and Kilskeery Road areas. Council headquarters were in Enniskillen. Fermanagh District Council was a unique local authority in that it covered at least one entire county in Northern Ireland. County Fermanagh makes up one eighth of Northern Ireland’s land mass, and the district council represented the largest local government district in geographical terms in Northern Ireland. One fifth of the area is covered by water, largely Lough Erne. The county has a population of just under 62, 000, up 7% since 2001, of which 70% live in rural areas. Enniskillen is the main centre of population with 13, 000 people. Smaller towns in the area include Lisnaskea, Irvinestown, Belleek, Belcoo and Derrylin. Electoral history1973 to 1981The elections of 1973 produced a dead heat with 10 Unionists and 10 Nationalists elected. For a while it looked as though Unionists might gain a majority due to an elected independent nationalist John Joe McCusker being ineligible, however in the end he held his seat. The deadlock raised the prospect of the British government having to intervene as both opposing blocs could not agree on the election of chairmen. Eventually however a compromise was reached for the next four years.

Fermanagh District Council was a local council in Northern Ireland. It merged with Omagh District Council in April 2015 under local government reorganisation to become Fermanagh and Omagh District Council. The borders of the district were very similar to those of the traditional County Fermanagh, containing all of that county plus a small section of County Tyrone in the Dromore Road (Irvinestown ward) and Kilskeery Road areas. Council headquarters were in Enniskillen. Fermanagh District Council was a unique local authority in that it covered at least one entire county in Northern Ireland. County Fermanagh makes up one eighth of Northern Ireland’s land mass, and the district council represented the largest local government district in geographical terms in Northern Ireland. One fifth of the area is covered by water, largely Lough Erne. The county has a population of just under 62, 000, up 7% since 2001, of which 70% live in rural areas. Enniskillen is the main centre of population with 13, 000 people. Smaller towns in the area include Lisnaskea, Irvinestown, Belleek, Belcoo and Derrylin. Electoral history1973 to 1981The elections of 1973 produced a dead heat with 10 Unionists and 10 Nationalists elected. For a while it looked as though Unionists might gain a majority due to an elected independent nationalist John Joe McCusker being ineligible, however in the end he held his seat. The deadlock raised the prospect of the British government having to intervene as both opposing blocs could not agree on the election of chairmen. Eventually however a compromise was reached for the next four years.