The Gordon Wilson Library

Sit back and relax by the open fire in The Gordon Wilson Library. This is a room dedicated as a quiet zone for peace and tranquillity, where children under the age of 12 are not permitted. Read today’s local and national newspapers; local, historical publications about Fermanagh; or a short story from the extensive collection of fictional books. Wile away the time and play a game of chess on the beautifully hand-crafted chessboards.

The Gordon Wilson Story

The Library at Lough Erne Golf Resort has been dedicated to Peace Campaigner Gordon Wilson.

On Remembrance Sunday 1987, twelve people including Marie Wilson, Gordon Wilson’s Daughter, died as the result of a terrorist bomb. It could have provoked anger and revenge; but instead what emerged was forgiveness and reconciliation – the true spirit of Enniskillen.

In an interview with the BBC, Wilson described with anguish his last conversation with his daughter and his feelings toward her killers: "She held my hand tightly, and gripped me as hard as she could. She said, 'Daddy, I love you very much.' Those were her exact words to me, and those were the last words I ever heard her say."

To the astonishment of listeners, Wilson went on to add, "But I bear no ill will. I bear no grudge. Dirty sort of talk is not going to bring her back to life. She was a great wee lassie. She loved her profession. She was a pet. She's dead. She's in heaven and we shall meet again. I will pray for these men tonight and every night."

Historian Jonathan Bardon remarked that, "No words in more than twenty-five years of violence in Northern Ireland had such a powerful, emotional impact." Throughout the rest of his life, Gordon Wilson worked hard to bring about reconciliation between people in Northern Ireland.