Family Holidays & Vacations, Lough Erne

FERMANAGH LAKELANDS

The Lough Erne region of Co Fermanagh is the ideal destination for your family holiday or vaction, with numerous activities and attractions on hand to suit all ages and interests.

Lough Erne is the predominant feature of the county covering 68sq miles and littered with islands, mostly uninhabited. From broad loughs dotted with luxury cruisers to tiny tinkling streams; from the mountain domains of wild goats to lush green pastures; from prehistoric island settlements to millennium age marinas; from lively cosmopolitan towns to hamlets where the pace of life has not changed in any way.

It is known throughout Europe as a wonderland for watersports holidays, fishing, cruising and canoeing. It is also the perfect place in which to relax and revitalize your mind and body on or off the waters of the Erne.

The opportunities for land based pleasures with our lakes as a scenic backdrop is enormous, from the nightly craic in our many carnival pubs to visiting magnificent mansions and museums.

ANGLING - the greatest sporting attraction to the County, renowned for its world class quality and quantity coarse and game fishing. There are 15 fishing piers within 300 metres of Willowbank House. For details of a qualified fly fishing guide (ghillie) with boat www.erneangling.com

CANOEING - A canoe centre at Castle Island caters of the serious leisurely canoeist.  Expeditions can be arranged.

CRUISING - Cruising is of course one of the County's most celebrated activities.  The Erne system linked to the Shannon Waterways by a series of canals is regarded as being amongst the greatest pleasure boating grounds in the world.

BELLEEK POTTERY - Take the tour and see crafts-people demonstrate their skills in fine porcelain manufacturing.

MARBLE ARCH CAVES - One of Europe's finest show caves to the south of Enniskillen, rivers past a variety of cave formations - stalactites glisten above streamways and chambers.

CAVING AND POTHOLING - Explore Fermanagh caves with qualified cave leader instructors. Venture into remote places where few have gone. All levels catered for.

CYCLING - Fermanagh's quiet country lanes and spectacular scenery is a cyclist's dream. The Kingfisher Trail has over 200 miles of mapped and non-posted cycle trails.

GOLF - Golfers have a choice of three superbly scenic 18 hole courses; Enniskillen 3 miles, Castle Hume 7 miles, Lough Erne Golf Resort. They attract large galleries of spectators for the cross border Erne Waterways Golf Championship held yearly.

HILLWALKING - There are 25 listed walks on a variety of surfaces, including areas of geological interest and striking scenery.

HORSE RIDING AND TREKING - Ulster's Lakeland Equestrian Park at Necarn Castle offers top class tuition and mounts on its 200-acre site for holidaymakers.

NATIONAL TRUST PROPERTIES - Florence court, Castle Coole, Crome Castle and Enniskillen Castle are open to the public and within easy reach.

ORNOTHOLOGY - Castlecaldwell, Crom Castle and many offshore islands are designated bird sanctuaries, monitored by the R.S.P.B.

RESTAURANTS - Whether it's a gourmet meal or soup and sandwiches after a bracing walk, there is ample choice in Enniskillen, the county capital, only 3 miles away.

THEATRE - 'The theatre by the Lakes', the Ardowen is located 3 miles away and boasts a program packed with promise.

ULSTER AMERICAN FOLK PARK - Located in the neighboring county of Tyrone a short drive away. It tells the story of the floods of emigrants who left Ireland for the New World in the 18th and 19th centuries. Over 24 original buildings with demonstrations of traditional crafts.

WATERSPORTS - Fermanagh has a number of watersport centres offering jet skiing, canoeing, banana boat rides etc.,

SURFING - A 40 minute drive along the scenic shore road will take you to the coastal town of Bundoran. Famous for its tubular reefs and consistent swells, the area is now recognised worldwide as a premier surf destination. Breaks include the infamous Bundoran "Peak" (intermediate to advanced surfers), "Black Spot" (advanced surfers), 3D'S (Expert surfers) and Tullan Strand (all surfing levels). For more information www.surfworldireland.com

Family Holidays & Vacations, Lough Erne, Co Fermanagh