There are numerous free moorings
along the waterway, many on uninhabited
islands - just you and your family.
Lower Lough Erne, the most northerly
of the two loughs, is a great expanse
of open water fringed by mountains
and dotted with islands. Upper Lough
Erne is filled with dozens of islands,
so it is more like a meandering river
than a lake. Some islands have jetties
and offer perfect lunchtime picnic
stops.
Heritage features high on the Lough
Erne tour - a perfectly preserved
12th century round tower on Devenish
Island is easily reached by boat
- and if you like your heritage older,
there are some 6th century carvings
on White Island. And for something
more active, there are watersports
centres on both lakes, offering sailing,
waterskiing and kayaking.
Enniskillen, lying between the two
loughs, is a picturesque market town
and fascinating heritage centre.
By day this busy town brims with
shops, museums, a sport centre and
castle. By night, Enniskillen comes
alive with happy holiday merriment
from the wealth of original pubs
and restaurants that offer delicious
international culinary delights.
The Ballinamore and Ballyconnell
Canal was re-opened in 1994 and links
the Erne to the Shannon. The canal
itself is a delightful cruise, meandering
through a series of rivers, canals
and loughs, with the odd colourful
pub and eating place along its banks.
There are 16 locks along the canal
- but they are all hydraulicly controlled,
so life couldn't be any easier.
Those of you taking a one-way hire
onto the Shannon will see plenty
of the Erne on your way.
