Lough Erne is the name of two connected lakes in County Fermanagh, Northern Ireland. It is the second largest lake system in Northern Ireland and Ulster and the fourth largest in Ireland. The lakes are extended sections of the River Erne, which flows north and then turns west into the Atlantic Ocean. The smaller southern lake is called Upper Lough because it is higher up the river. Larger northern lake is called Lower Lough or Broad Lough. The town of Enniskillen lies on the short stretch of river between the two lakes. Lake has over 150 islands and many bays and coves. The River Erne is 129 km long and drains an area of approximately 4 350 km2.
History
The Menapii are the only known Celtic tribe specifically named on Ptolemy’s map of Ireland from 150 AD, where their first colony, Menapia, was located on the coast of Leinster around 216 BC. Later they settled around Lough Erne and became known as Fir Manach, giving their name to Fermanagh and Monaghan. Mongan mac Fiachnai, a 7th century Ulster king, is the protagonist of several legends that link him to Manannan mac Lir. These spread throughout Ireland and evolved into historic Irish (also Scottish and Manx) clans.
The Ulster Annals were written in the late 15th century on Belle Isle, an island in the upper reaches of Lough Erne.
During the Second World War, Lough Erne was home to RAF Archdale Castle. Which provided an important air base for the Battle of the Atlantic and anti-submarine warfare. A secret agreement with the Irish government allowed flying boats based there to fly west directly across neutral Ireland into the Atlantic, avoiding the two-hour detour that aircraft based in Northern Ireland would have had to take. This flight path became known as the ‚Donegal Corridor‘. An example of the many ways in which Ireland assisted the Allies while remaining neutral.
In November 2012, it was announced that the Lough Erne Resort Hotel on the south shore of Lower Lake District would host the 39th G8 Summit.
