Since last month, visitors attempting to access the car park have been met with a locked gate and forced to park along the roadside, at the Killykeegan Nature Reserve or at the Marble Arch Caves Visitor Centre. In some cases the overflow cars were parked along the road for over four miles. 

Fermanagh and Omagh District Council had failed to provide any permanent car parking facilities at the site and temporary access to the boardwalk was only available through a local farmer’s privately owned land, catering for around 40 cars. At the time of the closure in July, the council said it was investigating alternative parking arrangements at Cuilcagh. 

The landowner, John Sheridan, had become concerned about insurance issues given the large volume of traffic visiting the site since the boardwalk opened two years ago. 

He told the Herald: “We had been informed that there was no insurance cover and had to close it. Now that is sorted. We’ve rectified the situation and pleased that we took the matter into our own hands. 

“We were annoyed that the community had to suffer with cars on the road and the resulting queues. We hope that all parties are now happy. Certainly the people who were coming into the car park today (Tuesday) were delighted. The local community is also pleased that they are able to go about their business as usual and not have to negotiate through people, traffic and muck.”

A council spokesman said this evening: “The car park at the beginning of the Cuilcagh Legnabrocky Trail has re-opened. It is under private ownership (there is currently a charge).”