Northern Ireland’s southernmost county of Fermanagh hides a paradise of endless meadows and peaceful forests. The star attraction in this scenic part of Northern Ireland is the island-dotted Lough Erne, which attracts plenty of fishermen and sports enthusiasts – no surprise given that the waterways are some of the quietest and least congested in Europe.
With so many activities at your fingertips, check out exactly what’s on offer in this Fermanagh Lakelands activity guide.
Improve Your Handicap
Northern Ireland has a well-earned reputation for outstanding golf courses, and the Lough Erne Resort is a five star facility that was voted the Golf Resort of the Year in 2010 by the Irish Golf Tour Operators Association. After honing your game at The Golf Academy, make sure to test yourself on the illustrious Faldo Course, which of course was designed by six-time major winner Nick Faldo. There are also a further 18 holes to play with the stunning Castle Hume as your backdrop – needless to say, it’s worth the drive to get here, and is worthy of the top position in our Fermanagh Lakelands activity guide..
Go Caving
A visit to the UNESCO World Heritage Marble Arch Caves Global Geopark is an absolute must. As one of the finest and most accessible cave networks on the continent, your trip will feel like a dive into a beautiful subterranean world – except with the stars in the sky replaced by glistening stalactites.
Your tour also includes a scenic boat journey on a river – with the twist that it’s in a vast open cavern 55 metres underground. Thankfully it doesn’t end there, as the Geopark contains some of the world’s most outstanding geological landscapes above ground too.
Walking Trails and Cycle Rides
With mountains, forests, and rolling hills, if you came to Northern Ireland to trek varied terrain you’ll find it in spades in County Fermanagh. While there are 25 well-marked paths for walkers to enjoy, those riding two wheels are well catered for too.
The famous Kingfisher Trail leads cyclists across minor country roads for 230 miles and is a favourite among locals and international visitors alike. Named after the native bird of the same name, the route offers the perfect way to absorb the tranquillity of the surrounding area and passes many of the top attractions like the Marble Arch Caves and Castle Caldwell.
Watersports on Lough Erne
County Fermanagh’s Lough Ernie is the secret jewel in this region’s crown. This massive split lake is comprised of widened lower and upper sections of the River Erne, but the main thing you need to know is that this area is a utopia for watersports.
You’ll find anglers set up on the shore hoping to catch the abundance of bream, roach, perch and tench beneath the water while canoers glide along the surface, some following the 31-mile Lough Erne Canoe Trail. If you don’t fancy actually getting in the water, you can jump aboard one of the many boat tours or water taxis that ferry you off to some of the 150 wooded islands contained within the lake.
If you have been inspired by our Fermanagh Lakelands activity guide, book your Cairnryan to Larne crossing today and discover this part of Ireland for yourself.
