From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Jump to: navigation, search
Irish: Doire Loinn or Doire Fhlionn
Derrylin is located in Northern Ireland
 Derrylin shown within Northern Ireland
Population 423 (2001 Census)
Irish grid reference H273282
District Fermanagh
County County Fermanagh
Country Northern Ireland
Sovereign state United Kingdom
Postcode district BT92
Dialling code 028
EU Parliament Northern Ireland
UK Parliament Fermanagh and South Tyrone
NI Assembly Fermanagh and South Tyrone
List of places
Northern Ireland

Coordinates: 54°11′33″N 7°34′01″W﻿ / ﻿54.1925°N 7.567°W﻿ / 54.1925; -7.567

Derrylin (from Irish: Doire Loinn, meaning "oakgrove of the blackbirds")[1][2] is a village and townland in County Fermanagh, Northern Ireland. It is on the A509 road between Enniskillen and the border with County Cavan (the N3 road to Dublin). It had a population of 423 in the 2001 Census.


Derrylin is a stop on the Donegal-Enniskillen-Cavan-Dublin Airport-Dublin Bus Éireann Expressway route 30. There is a coach in each direction every two hours during the day as well as an overnight journey.[3] Services operate daily including Sundays. Ulsterbus route 58 from Enniskillen to Belturbet via Kinawley also serves Derrylin several times a day Mondays to Saturdays.[4]


The village has several historical features, including the Callowhill graveyard with headstones dating back to the 17th century. Upper Lough Erne is east of the village, and west is the peak of Slieve Rushen. To the northeast is the limestone hill known as Knockninny Rock (from which the R.C Parish and the Civil Barony takes its name). On its southern slope can be seen the remains of one of the oldest castles belonging to the Maguire Clan, the ancient Lords of Fermanagh.

The Troubles[edit]


Since the reopening of Aghalane (George Mitchell Peace Bridge) over the Woodford River in 2000, this road is now the main route from Dublin to most of Fermanagh and South Donegal. Traffic has increased significantly through the village since then. Up until the late 1970s this was mostly a rural area with a few shops and places of worship. The construction of a large industrial complex nearby along with the 'Celtic Tiger' influence changed the makeup of the village dramatically. Existing businesses expanded and new ventures began. Derrylin now has a full range of businesses and services. These include foodshops, medical facilities (doctor, dentist, chemist), hairdressing/beauty salons, garages, plant hire, schools, churches and halls, fashion houses, pubs/restaurants, fast food outlets and post office. An Industrial Park (opened in 2002) has a range of small manufacturing enterprises. Other developments of note are a sheltered housing complex for elderly people at Clachan Court, a cross-community playgroup, a childcare facility, a Credit Union and several community/voluntary groups who use the general purpose room in Clachan Court. A daily bus service operates to Enniskillen, Donegal and Dublin.

Job opportunities in the local economy have brought people to new housing estates at Cloghan Park, Fortlea, Silverstream, Knockninny Park, Church View, Oakgrove, Spring Meadows, Summerhill Park and Kellier Park. Although there were plans to build more private houses, the downturn in the economy from 2008 onwards means that this is unlikely in the near future.


Derrylin is the hometown of former billionaire Sean Quinn who headed up an industrial empire concentrating on building products, glass bottle manufacture and insurance. However a disastrous bet on a dodgy share option led to his downfall and the loss of his business. The building products enterprise is now run by Aventas and the insurance by Liberty. Hotels and other assets were also lost although court proceedings are currently underway to sort out the tangle. The business appears to be trading successfully and employs about 2000 people locally. Other local businesses include McCaffrey Quarries, Teemore Engineering, Steel Solutions, Signs Express and a range of small family run businesses.


Derrylin is home to St Aidan's secondary school and St Ninnidhs primary school


  1. ^ "Placenames Database of Ireland". Retrieved 2013-09-28. 
  2. ^ [1][dead link]
  3. ^ "Bus Eireann : Table No.30 : Dublin - Airport - Cavan - Dinegal". Retrieved 2013-09-28. 
  4. ^ "Timetables". Translink. 2013-06-28. Retrieved 2013-09-28. 

External links[edit]