Newtownbutler or Newtown Butler is a small town in County Fermanagh, Northern Ireland. It is in the southeast corner of the county, near Lough Erne, the border with County Monaghan, Republic of Ireland, and the town of Clones. It is surrounded by small lakes and bogland. In the 2011 census it had a population of 989 people.

History

Newtownbutler began to be built as a Plantation village in the early 18th century. It was built within the townland of Aghagay. The Battle of Newtownbutler took place nearby in 1689 during the Williamite War in Ireland.

The Troubles

There were 13 deaths in and around Newtownbutler during the Troubles.

Amenities

Crom Castle and Estate lie on the shores of Upper Lough Erne, just 3 miles from Newtownbutler. The estate was established in the early 17th century during the Plantation of Ulster. Crom Estate is owned by the Crichton family, Earls of Erne and is leased to the National Trust for public use. The estate covers over 1900 acre of woods, parkland and wetland. Crom Estate is also one of the most important sites in Northern Ireland for bats, with all eight Northern Ireland species recorded on the estate. The present day Crom Castle was built in 1820 and, although Queen Victoria's reign began in 1837, the building was built in the Victorian style. The castle was designed by the English architect Edward Blore, who was also responsible for sections of Buckingham Palace. The village currently has two pubs, The Rambling House and Mulligans Bar and Lounge. The Lanesborough Arms Hotel (formerly Reilly's Bar) was another well known public house in Newwtownbutler that closed in 2004. The traditional bar was removed and transferred to the Ulster American Folk Park in Omagh. The village also has two supermarkets, two takeaways, a butchers, a chemists, a credit union, a church and parish hall, an Orange hall, a community centre, GAA grounds and a large community playpark.

Notable people

Transport

Newtownbutler railway station opened on 26 June 1858 and finally closed on 1 October 1957.

Demographics

2021 census

On census day (2021) the usually resident population of Newtownbutler village and surrounding countryside was 3,039. This incorporates NISRA mapped areas Erne East F2, F3, F4, E4 and E5. Of these:

2011 census

Newtownbutler is classified as a small village or hamlet by the Northern Ireland Statistics and Research Agency (NISRA) (i.e. with population between 500 and 1,000 people). On census day (27 March 2011) there were 989 people living in Newtownbutler. Of these:

Sport

Newtownbutler is home to the Newtownbutler First Fermanaghs Gaelic football team. They play at all levels of football in both the men's and women's categories. Their last Fermanagh Senior Championship title came in 2007.

Groups

Marching bands

According to the Ulster Bands Forum there are six marching bands operating in Newtownbutler Ward. Four are from Newtownbutler while the other two operate in the nearby village of Magheraveely. The four from Newtownbutler are: Feaugh Pipe Band; Loughkillygreen Accordion Band; Newtownbutler Flute Band; and Wattlebridge Accordion Band.

Orange lodges

According to the Grand Orange Lodge of Ireland, Newtownbutler District No.1 is the largest district in County Fermanagh with ten men's lodges and one women's lodge. The district covers the wards of Newtownbutler and Roslea. Five lodges operate within Newtownbutler and its immediate surrounding area. These are: LOL 184 Newtownbutler; LOL 391 Wattlebridge; LOL 854 Loughkillygreen; LOL 1219 Crom Castle; and LOL 1320 Feaugh. There are also three Royal Black Preceptory lodges operating in the Newtownbutler area. They are: RBP 154 Newtownbutler; RBP 204 Loughkillygreen; RBP 811 Drummully