The last year brought plenty of bad news across Co Fermanagh and Northern Ireland as a whole but there were still plenty of good news stories to keep our spirits up.
Covid was still taking effect with the Omicron variant at the beginning of the year, while there have been tragic deaths alongside the controversy over the removal of emergency general surgery at the South West Acute Hospital.
While watching the news these days either on your TV, your local newspaper or on your phone can bring plenty of anger and tears, we’re also here to bring you the stories that make you smile.
READ MORE: ‘Lodge of Love’ event to bring back memories for Enniskillen folk in aid of charity
With that in mind, here’s five stories from Co Fermanagh which made our hearts warm in 2022.
The Silver Swallow
A well-known Co Fermanagh publican told us earlier this year he has no plans to retire while he still enjoys what he does every day.
Tom McNulty, 83, runs the Silver Swallow pub on the Sligo Road near Enniskillen and has done for more than three decades along with close family members. The pub itself is more than 150 years old.
Tom still keeps a watchful eye over proceedings at the well-known pub which he says caters for all sides of the community in the county.
READ MORE: The Silver Swallow: Co Fermanagh pub owner still enjoying life pulling pints at 83
Jolly Sandwich voted Fermanagh’s favourite cafe
The owner of Fermanagh’s favourite cafe as voted for by MyFermanagh readers dedicated the award to her mum who passed away in February of this year.
Carina Cutler was speaking as she picked up a framed certificate in July after the Jolly Sandwich Bar in the town scooped the most votes in the campaign.
Carina had taken over the running of the popular cafe from her mum Hazel Johnston, who sadly died following an illness.
“She would have loved to be here receiving this today,” Carina said. She loved winning things like this because everyone puts so much hard work into this place.”
READ MORE: Enniskillen cafe owner dedicates award to mum after picking up Fermanagh’s favourite cafe
Enniskillen murals
Regular visitors to Enniskillen would have noticed some changes to the town’s landscape over the last year, with Enniskillen BID commissioning a number of colourful murals across the town.
One artist who contributed heavily to the murals in the town over the last year was local artist Kevin McHugh from Donagh.
Kevin told us earlier this year it brings him great pride to bring some colour to the town.
READ MORE: Enniskillen mural artist beaming with pride as he transforms the town with colourful work
Frank McCaughey reunited with family
Co Fermanagh man Frank McCaughey was found safe and well after going missing in mid-July while travelling in Europe.
The 29-year-old was finally reunited with his family in September after almost three months with no contact.
The Enniskillen man was reported missing in Denmark over the summer and later spotted in Germany before his family were able to locate him and bring him home.
READ MORE: Co Fermanagh man Frank McCaughey reunited with his family after going missing in July
Patrick Haren birthday card appeal
We brought you the story in November of Co Fermanagh mum Wendy Haren launching an appeal for birthday cards for her son, who was paralysed following attempts to treat scoliosis.
Wendy Haren was hoping to have as many cards sent to her son Patrick on his 20th birthday as possible to keep his spirits up.
Patrick was born with a number of life-threatening conditions, including scoliosis and kyphosis, and his mum says it is a miracle he has survived to see his 20th birthday.
When we shared the story with our readers, they did the rest. Hundreds and hundreds of cards arrived to the Haren household and made it a birthday to remember for Patrick.
READ MORE: "It’s a miracle he is still with us": Mum launches birthday card appeal for son with scoliosis
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