Council invests over £120,000 in Events & Festivals Sponsorship to support extensive district wide programme

Fermanagh & Omagh District Council has announced an investment of over £120,000 to support a vibrant programme of events and festivals across the district during 2026/27.

The funding will help deliver a broad range of medium and large-scale events designed to attract visitors, generate overnight stays, increase footfall, support local businesses and enhance the district’s reputation as a leading destination for tourism, culture, sport and entertainment.

The investment supports a packed calendar of activity across the district throughout the year.

Spring events include a strong angling programme with the BT Angling Festival Enniskillen, Mini Mahon’s Angling Festival, Mahon’s Angling Festival, Saddlers Spring Fishing Festival and the Erne Angling Festivals Series, reinforcing the district’s reputation as a premier fishing destination on the island of Ireland. Also taking place are the Pipe Band and Drum Major Championship at Castle Irvine Estate, bringing competitive bands from across the region.

Summer programming includes Castle Irvine Horse and Pony Show, Bluegrass BBQs at the Ulster American Folk Park, The Great Northern Road Run in Omagh featuring vintage steam engines, Enniskillen ComicFest, Omagh Pride and the prestigious Junior Golf – Champion of Champions, World Championship at Lough Erne Resort. The Twelfth of July Celebration in Fermanagh also forms part of the wider summer calendar.

August events include Fermanagh Feast and Folk Festival at Enniskillen Castle, Black Saturday Cultural Event in Brookeborough, Dromore Summer Festival and Summerfest in Enniskillen, providing family entertainment, food, music and community celebration across the district.

Autumn highlights include Brassfest at the Buttermarket in Enniskillen, the Horseshoe Autumn Fishing Festival, the National Cyclocross Series at Ecclesville Centre, and the Lakelander Gravel Grinder and Gravel by Night in the Cuilcagh Lakelands UNESCO Global Geopark. The season will also feature a new Twilight Harvest Festival at Gortin Glen Forest Park, the Harvest Fair at Florence Court, and Enniskillen BID’s successful sponsorship award for Fright on Forthill, a new week-long Halloween event designed to complement its established Halloween events programme.

Speaking about the investment, Chair of Fermanagh & Omagh District Council, Cllr Barry McElduff said

“The scale of investment demonstrates our Council’s commitment to building a strong year-round events economy. This represents a significant investment in our district and in the organisations, volunteers and communities who help make this area such a vibrant place to live, work in, and visit.

The aim of this sponsorship support is to help deliver medium and large-scale events that provide strong economic and social return on investment, attract visitors to the area, encourage repeat visits and continue to raise the positive profile of our Council area.

From internationally recognised sporting and cultural events to family attractions and local celebrations, this support helps create memorable experiences for residents and visitors alike while delivering real, tangible benefits for our towns, villages and rural communities.”

Fermanagh & Omagh District Council has also opened an Expression of Interest process for a Halloween event in Omagh, aimed at supporting the delivery of a high-quality seasonal event and further strengthening the district’s autumn events offering.

For more information on the range of events taking place including Council delivered events, please visit https://www.fermanaghomagh.com/events-and-festivals/ and view the Events and Festivals section, email events@fermanaghomagh.com or telephone 0300 303 1777.

For more information on the Expression of Interest for Omagh Halloween event please visit: https://www.fermanaghomagh.com/tenders/