Enniskillen Townhall, 1898-1901.
Architect: A. Scott & Son, architects, Drogheda & Navan (William Scott).

Enniskillen Townhall dominates the Diamond; it stands as a landmark at the heart of the town.

Enniskillen town owes its origins to the Plantation of Ulster & from 1612 grew as the principle county town of Fermanagh. It was Captain (later Sir) William Cole who was granted the responsibility and the power to develop the town. On the highest hill he located the church & on the north side of the next hill he located the market place.

The Market House

There has been a Market House of some nature on this site since 1618. By 1664 the Market House incorporated a Debtor’s Jail.

The Market House was located at the centre of the town, the Diamond. The original building was destroyed by fire in 1695; a fire which destroyed much of the town. By 1748, the Market House, with steeple, was again in use. The steeple was replaced in 1792, William Irwin architect. From 1807-1812 the market house was again rebuilt at the cost of £2000. By now the two storey house had a square clock tower & a weather cock. The Townhall & the Saving Bank, alongside other apartments were accommodated in the building.

New Townhall 1897-1901

In 1897 the Town Commissioners decided to replace the old building with a new Townhall. The firm of A. Scott & Son, architects, Drogheda & Navan secured the commission through a competition for the best architectural design by William Scott. He was awarded £50.00 prize money. James Harvey, of Belmore Street, Enniskillen was awarded the building contract in July 1897. The total cost of the completed Townhall building was £13,000; twice the original estimate.

The building work began in September 1897, while the foundation stone was laid by Lady Enniskillen on 2 May 1898. The Townhall was officially opened in January 1901 by the Countess of Erne. At the opening ceremony it was celebrated as "a monument to energy & perseverance of the people of Enniskillen." Countess of Erne, January 1901. "A building begun & finished in one century & opened in another." A heating system was installed by Musgrave & Co., Belfast & the gas lighting by the Enniskillen Gas works.

"A Free Treatment of the Renaissance"

The architectural style of Scott & Son was described by the architect as 'a free treatment of the Renaissance.' The majority of the stonework on the façade consists of Carrickreagh dark limestone. This contrasts with the lighter rich cream of Dungannon limestone. This limestone is used on the corners, cornices & pillars. The statues of the Inniskillings Fusilier & Dragoon form a permanent guard overlooking the town & represent the important military history of Enniskillen.

Clock Tower

The six storey square clock tower on the corner of the building, with its copper dome can be seen from most areas in the town & is a quick point of reference for telling the time. The cupola-topped tower balances well with the cathedral spire on the highest hill.

The Doors

The Porticoed entrance to the Townhall is dominated by the elaborately hand-carved oak doors. The elaborately carved door panels were made by a local craftsman, William Scott. Scott (1865-1910) used bog oak as his blank canvas for the hand-carved decoration on the two sets of doors. The door frames themselves were made by another local craftsman, a cabinet-maker, remarkably also called William Scott.

While in the foyer note too the detailed mosaic carried out by Italian father & son commissioned to create an original tiled floor. The mosaic at the centre of the floor was the only piece unharmed by the 1971 bombing; the remaining floor was replaced in keeping with the original. The mosaic depicts the earlier Coat of Arms of the town commissioners, the men responsible for the building of the Townhall.