THERE is "good justification" for the flying of the St George's flag at an historic Fermanagh landmark, a Stormont minister has said.

Edwin Poots was responding to claims that Enniskillen Castle and museum has become a "cold house" for nationalists.

In a letter to the DUP environment minister, Sinn Fein councillor Phil Flanagan called for the flag, which has been associated with the castle since the late 17th century, to be removed and for more artefacts relating to the nationalist tradition to be included in the venue's museum.

The castle, situated in the centre of the lakeland town, was originally built in the early 15th century. As a former military barracks, the building is closely associated with two historical regiments from Enniskillen - the Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers and the 5th Royal Inniskilling Dragoon Guards.

The castle incorporates a regimental museum and also houses the Fermanagh county museum.

Responding to Mr Flanagan, the environment minister moved to reassure the republican that the nationalist heritage was "well reflected" in both.

The regimental museum "honours Irishmen of every faith and political identity", he said.

Pointing to a display in memory of local poet Francis Ledwidge, which includes a tribute penned to a friend who lost his life in the 1916 Easter Rising, Mr Poots championed a visitors' survey conducted during the summer which highlighted a 95 per cent satisfaction rating.

"The two museums collaborate closely to ensure maximum benefit to the heritage and economy of Fermanagh," he said.

"The ratings for the amount and quality of information were both in the very satisfied category."

Commenting on the flag issue, Mr Poots said: "The flying of the flag of St George from the Watergate reflects the tradition that it flew over the castle on the attacks on Enniskillen by the forces of James II in 1688-89. An image of the Watergate flying this flag was included on the badge of the two Inniskilling regiments throughout their history and appears in an image dating from 1747.

"Consequently, the trustees of the Inniskilling museum would strongly oppose the removal of the flag as it recalls an historical event and symbolises the regiments' loyalty."

Mr Flanagan called for more displays and exhibitions relating to other aspects of Irish history.

"The flying of an England flag on a castle in Enniskillen makes no sense. We're supposed to be a tourist county but we're not attracting tourists from all quarters because of this flag. The castle and museum is seen as a cold house for nationalists," he said.

A spokesperson for Fermanagh District Council said responsibility for the matter lay with the Northern Ireland Environment Agency who manage the Enniskillen Castle site as a monument.

http://www.newsletter.co.uk/news/Flying-of-St-Georges-flag.6645932.jp

Added (2010-12-01, 9:32 PM)
---------------------------------------------
Anything at all, really are the biggest set a hateful bastards in the world.