Lady of the Lake Festival

The Lady of the Lake Festival is one of the longest-running community festivals in County Fermanagh, running for nine days each July across Irvinestown town centre and the Bawnacre Centre. It draws its name from the folklore of Lough Erne, whose waters lap the edge of this small market town. Families with children, music fans, and anyone who enjoys a proper town celebration with a packed schedule will find it worth the trip - this is not a ticketed commercial event but a community effort that has been building its programme for well over four decades.

What to expect

The festival fills the nine days with a wide range of events at different venues and at different hours, so there is almost always something on. Recurring highlights that have become fixtures of the programme include the Lady of the Lake 10K and 5K road races, held at the Bawnacre Centre mid-festival (Wednesday 15 July in 2026), and the Donkey Derby - a crowd favourite that reliably brings out the whole town. The Truck Convoy is another spectacle worth catching, bringing decorated lorries and vehicles through the streets in a procession that stops traffic in the best possible way. Alongside these set pieces, the festival runs live music sessions across multiple venues, street entertainment, children’s workshops, themed fancy dress parades, and evening entertainment from local and visiting performers. The 2025 edition carried a “Trip to Oz” theme; the 2026 theme had not been confirmed at time of writing, but the format and energy will be familiar.

Getting there

Irvinestown sits on the A35 road, roughly 25 km north-west of Enniskillen, on the north shore of Lower Lough Erne. From Enniskillen, the drive takes around 25 minutes. From Belfast, allow around 2 hours via the A4 westbound. From Dublin, the town is approximately 2 hours and 15 minutes via the N3 and A509 through Belturbet and Enniskillen. Bus Eireann and Translink services connect Enniskillen with surrounding towns; check Translink.co.uk for current timetables to Irvinestown. Street parking is available in the town centre and parking at the Bawnacre Centre for race events.

While you’re in Irvinestown

Castle Archdale Country Park, a short drive south along the lakeshore, is worth an afternoon - it has walking trails, a marina, and views across Lower Lough Erne that are hard to match. Necarne Castle on the edge of town, formerly Castle Irvine, now operates as an equestrian centre. There is more to see in Irvinestown and across Co. Fermanagh.

Good to know

• Dates: Saturday 11 July to Sunday 19 July 2026 (9 days)
• Times: Various - events run throughout the day and into the evening across the festival period
• Price: Various - many street events and community events are free; some ticketed evening entertainment applies
• Races: 5K and 10K on Wednesday 15 July at the Bawnacre Centre
• Programme: Check the official Facebook page for the full 2026 schedule as dates approach
• Westville Hotel and Mahons Hotel in Irvinestown both host festival events and can be a useful base