Endless Water

The attraction that is Lough Erne is the second largest lake in Northern Ireland, dubbed the “Lough of 100 Islands” for the many uninhabited wild fresh green Islands it contains. It is 40 miles (64 km) long and has an average width of 5 miles (8 km) and a maximum depth of 200 feet (60 m). The lake consists of the shallow Upper Lough Erne, 12 miles (19 km) long, and Lower Lough Erne, 18 miles (29 km) long, linked by a 10-mile (16-kilometre) strait that is part of the River Erne. The lakes lie in an almost level carboniferous limestone plateau. Although formed by the solution of limestone, their basins are blanketed with heavy boulder clays. The level in the upper lake is subject to fluctuations because of the constricted flow produced by these glacial features. Numerous islands dot the lakes and provide recreation facilities.

A flood-relief project, completed in 1959, was designed to control the water supply to hydroelectric power stations at Ballyshannon and Cliff. As a result, about 29,000 acres (11,700 hectares) of land around the upper lake were freed from summer flooding and excessive waterlogging. Due to this Lough Erne has become the ultimate location for pike.

The navigation of the lake is also unique due to the waterway(water markers indicate sections of the lake and help with navigation) which resembles that of a motorway on water. This fact makes the Lough Erne an extremely safe lake to explore.

The unblemished countryside surrounding Lough Erne is also an attraction to lots of wild life such as ducks, swans, goose, otter, mink, deer, pheasant, badgers, rabbits and an extensive list of birds and insects.