FOR SALE BY PRIVATE TREATY CREHAN ISLAND...DERRYAD...UPPER CO FERMANAGH

Just imagine your very own scenic, peaceful, woodland hideaway far from the madding crowd and everyday grind! - Crehan Island on Upper Lough Erne – Ulster’s unspoilt lakeland region! ‘Crehan’ – a place apart; a place to unwind; a place to rest and relax. Here you can be at one with nature throughout the changing seasons of mists, of rain, of sun and of gentle lakeshore breezes. “GET READY TO FILL YOUR SAILS”

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CREHAN ISLAND...WITH PRIVATE HARBOUR, PINE LOG SEATS & WOODLAND HUT ALL SET WITHIN AN ANCIENT OAK PLANTATION & GREENWAY ON THE SHORES OF THE ERNE

Crehan is a six acre wooded island with many mature oaks, scotch pine and beech trees along the North West elevated shoreline, within which a well­screened general purpose wooden cabin is located, an ideal spot for glamping...with various log benches set around Crehan on which to reflect, enjoy the sunsets and wide variety of nature...including outstanding lake and mountain scenery to the west and south.

Within a sheltered bay on the Southeast shore you’ll find a solid private wooden jetty,providing a safe harbour for both a smaller sailing craft and also a sheltered berth for a motor cruiser of up to 12 meters in length.During the summer months with lower water levels the adjoining larger 100 acre island of Dernish can be reached via a boundary gate leading along a stone causeway. Dernish’s lush sweet pastures are also home to the well­known Kettyle herd of pedigree beef cattle, a produce highly prized and savoured throughout many award­winning restaurants in Ireland, France, Germany and farther afield.

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Both Crehan and Dernish Islands are part of the wider Upper Erne SPA designated region. “CREHAN ISLAND” – A PRIVATE AND PROTECTED NATURE RESERVE HAVING GREAT FUTURE POTENTIAL

Crehan Island is a bird­watchers and nature­lovers paradise with many species of birds, mammals and insects living on or visiting the area throughout the four seasons of the year.

The island together with neighbouring Dernish, has been awarded ASSI status. The

Owners work closely with the RSPB, Woodland Trust, Fermanagh Red Squirrel Group and NIEA in order to protect and manage this special place, whilst at the same time benefiting from their support and encouragement in preserving and fostering a wide range of wildlife and biodiversity. This all set within a totally private and secure environment, with no public access, providing lots of peace, tranquility and space for the owners, their family and friends to visit, enjoy, and benefit from throughout the year.

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A CASTAWAY ISLAND PARADISE – IN ULSTERS LAKELAND...BUT YET NOT FAR FROM CIVILISATION, SERVICES, GOOD NEIGHBOURS & A GUINNESS OR A LATTE!

Crehan Island is very convenient to both Derryad and Geaglum Quays,

Lisnaskea marina and boat club facilities, while the busy market town of

Lisnaskea, with its schools, churches, medical clinic, large variety of exciting independent shops, traditional pubs, friendly restaurants and leisure facilities...are all within a 15 minutes drive. The island town of is less than 45 minutes by road via the A4 with (NI) and Dublin (Irl) international ferries and airports (easily accessible within a 2 – 2 ½ hour road trip), travelling North or South on Ireland’s safe and modern road networks.

*A heli­pad located at the award­winning “Watermill” French restaurant at

Kilmore Quay is close by...while the former World War II St Angelo/Enniskillen airport is also very convenient to Derryad Quay and Crehan Island.

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A MAGICAL UNSPOILT WATERWORLD OF WOODED ISLANDS, SCENIC BAYS AND MEANDERING RIVERS TO EXPLORE & ENJOY

While if travelling by water from Crehan the famous scenic Erne/Shannon canal link, or

Belturbet, Co Cavan riverside town are just 60 minutes upstream...or setting a leisurely course downstream sail past the Share Centre and Kilmore Quay to starboard and within 90 minutes or so you’ll reach Carrybridge hotel and marina, then a little further downstream on the port side you’ll pass the scenic village of soon arriving at the historic island town of

Enniskillen with its many easily accessible marinas, jetties, shopping and leisure facilities...where you can enjoy a hearty meal and a well earned pint or glass of wine, before you make the picturesque upstream return trip, this time via the Inishmore viaduct and on to

Knockninny and Terraroe Bay to starboard...a great place to “drop a line” and hook a mighty jack pike or a specimen bream or perch.

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GOLF, SURF, FISHING, SCENERY ALONG DONEGAL'S WILD ATLANTIC WAY… JUST 40 MILES TO THE WEST OF DERRYAD

Golf and surf are within a 30 minute drive from Crehan Island at Derryadd. There are no fewer than 8 superb Golf Courses to test your skills including championship courses at

Slieve Russell hotel and the famous G8 Lough Erne Golf Resort hotel, to name but two.

While Donegal's Atlantic coastline, with its many fine beaches, mountains and magical folklore, are but within a 40 mile drive to the west of Crehan at Derryad.

South Donegal is ideal for sea­fishing, walking, painting or perhaps some shopping at the world famous Magee Department store and Donegal Tweed outlet in Donegal town, but at the end of an exciting day you’ll be drawn back to the peace of Crehan Island and your cruiser on the erne waterway.

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FREE THREE YEARS BOAT CLUB MEMBERSHIP & THE EXCLUSIVE USE OF A CLASSIC MOTOR BOAT

The island property is offered for sale, complete with the use of an 18 foot safe classic angling boat, outboard engine and road trailer, in addition to 3 years paid up membership at the Lisnaskea Boat Club, Derryadd, a great place to cast off for Crehan just 10 minutes to the South East * while the owners private jetty on Crehan is also an ideal place to moor a 12 meter motor cruiser providing savings of up to £2000 pa on most local marina costs, not to mention a great spot to fish from at dusk when the large fish are in search of supper. PHOTOGRAPH, PAINT OR WRITE – HOW WILL YOU EXPRESS YOURSELF AT CREHAN!!

Crehan Island set midway on the Upper Lough is simply a fishermans, artists, photographers or dinghy sailors and canoeists paradise, with many many square miles of peaceful sheltered bays and wooded islands to explore, enjoy and record with your camera or paintbrush on canvas or in verse.

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A TRULY UNIQUE OPPORTUNITY TO NOW PURCHASE ONE OF LOUGH ERNE’S REAL MAGICAL ISLAND RETREATS WITH MANY USEFUL FACILITIES AND A LONG & ILLUSTRIOUS HISTORICAL PAST

Crehan Island was once part of the well­known Cavandish Butler family estates in South

West Fermanagh, which included Lanesborough Lodge near Castle Saunderson, also the neighbouring island of Inish Wrath with its fine victorian mansion house built in the

1800’s.

Today Crehan is owned by the Fermanagh based Inishfrehne Partnership, the island has all relevant DARD foreshore leases, wooden hut planning, jetty and NIEA agreements in place, and is currently being marketed and promoted locally, nationally and internationally by various specialist sales platforms:­ an early expression of interest is highly recommended together with a visit.

A little peice of heaven on the Erne Waterway System – having a guide price of only

£85,000 to £90,000 – truly now a great investment opportunity.

Considerable interest is expected in Ireland and farther afield due to its unique location, midway on the Upper lake and really a once in a lifetime opportunity to acquire a small part of the Upper Ernes special heritage for you and your family to enjoy, for many

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special years to come...Crehan Island, Derryadd, Upper Lough Erne... is a place apart...

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION PLEASE CONTACT THE JOINT SELLING AGENTS:-

Walter McFarland Rudi Wilson

Eadie McFarland Templeton Robinson

34 East Bridge Street 563 Lisburn Road

Enniskillen Belfast

BT74 7BT BT9 7GQ

Tel 028 66324831 Tel 028 90663030

www.eadiemcfarland.co.uk www.templetonrobinson.com ​ ​

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THE FAMOUS LOUGH ERNE YACHT CLUB WAS ESTABLISHED AT CROM IN THE 1820’S

The Lough Erne Yacht Club, one of Ireland’s oldest sailing clubs was first established just a mile upstream at Crom Castle in 1820. Upper Lough

Erne was synonymous with sailing and boat­building over the past

200 years or so, including the famous islanders cot, a wide beam flat­bottomed wooden craft,powered by oars or sails and used to transport animals, supplies and people living on the many islands and shorelines of Lough Erne, Ireland's longest lake back 100 years ago.

UPPER ERNE BOAT BUILDING...YACHT RACING...GREAT LAKESIDE HOUSES...TEA PARTIES...HIGH SOCIETY

Famous yachting regattas were centered around Crom Castle stone­cut boathouse, in their hey day from 1838. *Many of the six great castles and houses built between 1830 and 1880,around the shores of the Upper Lough Erne were occupied by wealthy Anglo­Irish families such as the Saundersons of Castle Saunderson, the Butlers of Lanesborough Lodge, the Creightons of Crom Castle, then on downstream centered around Derryadd next to

Crehan Island – the Cavendish Butlers of Inish Wraths 21 acre island with a fine 8­bedroom victorian house and both the Massey­ Beresfords of St

Huberts and the Tippings of Rossferry, whose equally large great victorian houses were located just to the West of Inish Wrath and Crehan Island...near

Gagelum Quay on the mainland.Crehan Island was once part of the well­known Cavandish Butler family estates of South West Fermanagh, which included Lanesborough Lodgenear Castle Saunderson, also the neighbouring 21 acre island of Inish Wrath with its fine victorian mansion house built in

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the 1800’s and today occupied by the “Hare Krishna” community, who run open days during the summer months when visitors are welcome.

Unique Opportunity Now to Purchase one of Lough Erne's Real Magical Island Retreats

Crehan Island was once part of the well­known Cavandish Butler family estates in South West

Fermanagh, which included Lanesborough Lodge near Castle Saunderson, also the neighbouring island of Inish Wrath with its fine victorian mansion house built in the 1800’s. Today Crehan is owned by the Fermanagh based Inishfrehne Partnership, the island has all relevant foreshore leases and planning/NIEA permissions in place, and is currently being marketed and promoted locally, nationally and internationally by specialist sales platforms including main joint selling agents:

contact:

Walter McFarland Rudi Wilson

Eadie McFarland Templeton Robinson

34 East Bridge Street 563 Lisburn Road

Enniskillen Belfast

BT72 7BT BT9 7GQ

Tel 028 66324831 Tel 028 90663030

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www.eadiemcfarland.co.uk www.templetonrobinson.com

“The Isles of mighty Erne are Erin's paradise.....where hosts are gracious and learned and

arrogance is vice.” (Translated from the Irish of Thomas Cassidy 1710).

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“Round the world and home again, that’s the sailor's way!”

“She danced a jig, she sung a song that took my heart away.”

“Now Autumn’s fire burns slowly along the woods and day by day the dead leaves fall and

melt.”

(William Allingham 1824­1889)

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“To live is the rarest thing in the world. Most people exist, that is all.”

“We are all in the gutter, but some of us are looking at the stars.”

“Some cause happiness wherever they go; others whenever they go.”

(Oscar Wilde 1854­1900)

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“Ever tried. Ever failed. No matter. Try again. Fail again. Fail better.”

“If you do not love me I shall not be loved if I do not love you I shall not love.”

“Nothing matters but the writing. There has been nothing else worthwhile...a stain upon the

silence.”

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(Samuel Beckett 1906­1989)

AN ISLAND FOR EACH DAY OF THE YEAR - THE ERNE WAS NAMED BY QUEEN MAEVE OF CONNACHT

Lough Erne settles around many folklore stories, including it is said that the Lough Erne has an island for every day in the year! Its name came from the legend that Queen Maeve of

Connacht, came to Ulster with her friend Erna and stayed on the shores of Lough Samer and while out boating one day “Erna” got into difficulty and drowned, while the Queen watched helplessly from the shore. From then onwards the lake was called Lough Erne.

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LOUGH ERNE - AN ANCIENT HISTORY FROM THE VIKINGS TO THE MAGUIRES...THE ANGLO NORMANS...THE ULSTER SCOTS & TODAY'S MULTI-CULTURAL POPULATION

Fancy a longer voyage of exploration through some of Ireland's most scenic landscapes

Past busy waterside settlements along the majestic waterways in the wake of the invading Viking long boats of the 9th century! Later the Maguires ruled the lakes and

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Fermanagh from the late 13th century and their kings were crowned at the Moat mound just outside Lisnaskea up until 1593 when Scottish Lord Michael Balfour took control of the area and built a plantation castle at Lisnaskea, whilst later in 1641 Ruairi

Maguire seized Lisnaskea and for a period.

*The Erne Navigation System once ran right up to Lisnaskea at the Lough Head – a busy port

Of call for Cots and skifs during the late 1800’s and prior to the first Lough Erne drainage schemes.

HAUL UP THE ANCHOR...LOOSEN THE ROPES...SET THE COMPASS & CAST OFF FOR A VOYAGE OF DISCOVERY ON IRELAND’S INLAND WATERWAYS

Today Crehan Island or the Derryadd Country Park on the Upper Erne is an excellent place to set your compass and follow your chosen star – North –

South ­ East or West.

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You are now less than 90 minutes by water craft from Wattlebridge and the entrance to the soon to be Reconstructed Ulster Canal, which was first opened to commercial traffic in 1842, but sadly fell into disrepair and closed completely in 1931, due to both economics & summer drought.

The Ulster Canal follows a North­easterly route via Clones, (this stretch is being re­opened initially), and Monaghan then joining the River Blackwater at

Moy, following on past the “Argory”, the former stately home to the MacGeogh Bond family, and one of the North’s magnificent National Trust properties similar to Crom. It then enters Lough Neagh, Ireland’s largest lake at Maghery Point, just south of Coney Island, travelling North through this great

Irish lake to enter the Lower Bann at Toome, past the famous eel fishery. Through the 35 mile run down stream, via Portglenone and Kilrea it descends

The Salmon Leap locks to Coleraine and down the Lower Bann Delta to the Bar Mouth, Castlerock and the North Sea Causeway Coast.

ALTERNATIVELY SET A SOUTHWESTERLY COURSE THROUGH THE ERNE SHANNON CANAL AND ON TO THE MIGHTY SHANNON – IRELAND’S LONGEST RIVER

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By re­setting your compass plot a new course to the West and you’ll transit the 16 lock Erne Shannon 40 mile link through the Woodford

River on via Lough Garadice and Ballinamore to join the mighty Shannon...Ireland's longest river at Leitrim village, with its excellent pubs

And traditional music. Leitrim is just north of Carrick­on­ Shannon and south of Lough Kee, the Boyle River and Lough Allen navigation systems, just east of Argina and west of Slieve Anierin. You can then continue your voyage south through Lough Ree and on to the historic garrison town of Athlone, in the centre of Ireland, having a further choice of either continuing to the Southwest along the Shannon or past the famous ancient 6th century monastery and ancient University of Clonmacnoise, once raided by the Vikings and onto Lough

Derg. After ascending the mighty Ardnacrusha locks, you’ll travel on to the city of Limerick – to enter the Shannon estuary just south of

Shannon International airport and the famous Foynes seaplane base of the 1930’s, right into the Atlantic ocean at Loop Head.

OR WHY NOT TAKE THE GRAND CANAL & BARROW NAVIGATION SOUTH TO WATERFORD

...alternatively if you were to take a turn to port at Shannon harbour just South of Athlone town and north of the sleepy Shannon village of Banagher you’ll enter the Grand Canal which was built during the 1700’s, supervised by engineer Thomas Omer. The eighty mile voyage takes you through some of Ireland's most productive agricultural land and on to the busy Co Offaly market town of Tullamore and from them on to Dublin, Ireland's largest and most vibrant city, home of Molly Malone with her fish barrow on Grafton Street, where you can visit the Gaiety

Theatre and Trinity College to name but a few of the famous landmarks within Ireland’s georgian city with its eye­catching 21st century architecture along the Liffey and Grand Canal basin. Alternatively; halfway along the Grand Canal towards Dublin once plied by many horse drawn passenger craft

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and Guinness barges on their run westwards to deliver barrels of the world famous black stuff to the many licensed premises in the midlands and beyond at the Robertstown junction, just north of Kildare and the world famous Curragh Race course...you’ll enter the Southern linking section of the

Grand Canal and Barrow navigation systems. This would allow you to undertake the 100 mile voyage, just west of the Wicklow mountains through Athy,

Carlow and after ascending the sea locks at St Mullins, the tidal estuary broadens to the confluence of the River Nore and on to the market town of

New Ross then joining up with the River Suir at the ancient city of Waterford on Ireland's eastern seaboard.

THE POTATO, THE FAMINE, DEATH & LIFE IN THE NEW WORLD

Waterford was once an important docking port for many majestic sailing ships, including the

“Janie Johnston” (now rebuilt) and based on the Liffey at Dublin. It provided transportation links for both cargo and passengers from Ireland.3000 miles west southwest across the mighty

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Atlantic Ocean to the New World. Many thousands of the poor left Ireland's shores during the late 1800’s to seek out a new life in North America and escape the terrible ravages of the Potato

Famine in Ireland during the late 1840’s and 1850’s. *In 1841 the population of the Fermanagh area was 156,000, in 1851 it was down to 116,000 and today it stands at only 60,000.

Thankfully during that dark period families in Fermanagh especially those living around the Islands and shores of Lough Erne survived the great hunger due to the plentiful supply of fresh fish. In those days 6 families lived on the neighbouring Dernish Island and you can still see the cottage ruins dotted around this 100 acre island.

MOONSHINE, HIDDEN STILLS, POTATO, YEAST, DARK NIGHTS, BROWN BOTTLES,WATER-LAPPING OARS & LOOKOUTS FOR THE EXCISE MEN

The potato was first introduced into Ireland in 1600 and soon became an important part of the diet. Later it was also an important basic key ingredient in the illicit activity of making “poteen”a very strong alcoholic spirit drink distilled under cover and well away from the eye of the Customs authorities.

Poteen production was centered on some of the remote wooded islands on

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Upper Lough Erne, especially during the winter months. This famous high proof “fire water” drink, known locally as the “crettor” can still be purchased today, if you know where to look, and is guaranteed to be a 100% cure for all health and material needs!!

LOOK OUT FOR A BRIGHT LIGHT SKIMMING OVER THE ERNE WATERS...BURIED CROCKS OF GOLD...THE LEPRECHAUNS AND A LOT MORE!

...There were also several unexplained mysteries on or around the Upper lake over the past hundred years or so, including the Crom bright white light, an unexplained phenomenon seen by many including Major Henry Cavendish Butler of Inish Wrath Island, he noted “I have twice seen the light; both times it was on the lake, behind the trees, which were lit up to the top most branches. The first time George Massey­Beresford of St. Huberts was with me and the whole of “Crehan Island” – south of “Inish Wrath” was silhouetted.

Ireland’s little folk – the Leprechauns often speak of buried treasure around Crom Estate with several crocks of gold coins just waiting to be discovered somewhere along a line of oaks east of Gad Island tower...if you know the right place to look...and how deep to dig!!

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THE GOLDEN AGE OF THE GREAT YACHTS... HIGH MASTS... WHITE SAILS FLAPPING IN THE S’WESTERLY WINDS ON THE LOUGH ON SUMMER AFTERNOONS

On the mainland at Geaglum and the Derrycree Lough areas – there developed a friendly rivalry and each family had their own yachts and several professional crew members with many of these craft designed and built by Edward Saunderson who had inherited Castle Saunderson in 1857.

* Edward designed and built the famous “Witch” sailing craft which carried some 650 sq ft of sail and had a displacement of around 2.75 tons *

Lieutenant Garside­Tipping’s yacht “Mischief” won various prestigious races when she was transported from the Erne overland to sail at the

Cowes Regatta in the Solent...while George Massey­Beresford’s “Minstral” with a crew of six including the 10 year old Miss Monica won the ​ magnificent Leyc cup, beating the Earl of Dudleys “Vanessa” – Cyril Wards “Foam” and Major J G C Irvines “Mirage”. Many of these famous yacht races were run along Trial Bay, a long stretch of deep water to the south of the Derryvore peninsula, close to Crom

Castle itself.

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Later during World War II with the Germans having overrun Denmark earlier...in 1945 Monica De Wichfeld nee Massey­Beresford was sadly to die in a

German concentration camp after being betrayed. Monica was with the Danish resistance – as by then she had married a Dane and was living at Engestofte, Denmark. A lake there very much reminded her of her childhood at St. Hubert's on the shores of Upper Lough Erne *many years earlier...

...In 1875 the tragic death of the Fleming family who had earlier in the day, been attending a Yeomanry fete up at Crom Castle and later that night were travelling down the lake in a rowing boat, after dark – with little moonlight, were run down by a paddle steamer operated by Garside­Tipping also on his way back downstream to his lakeside home of Rossferry with a joyful party on board all celebrating an earlier yachting win on Trial Bay.

“MARTHA” A MIGHTY 30 TON LOUGH ERNE RACING YACHT

There were even larger yachts sailing on the Erne lakes, such as “Martha” (30 tons) Royal

George (10 tons) and also the Ranger and Royal Oak (both 30 tons), requiring crews of up to six to sail them competitively, especially during big race events.

THE ERNE NAVIGATION DEVELOPMENT & DREDGING OF THE 1890’S

Newly planned navigation schemes on the Erne were undertaken to reduce winter flood levels and improve navigation on the lakes.

By 1890 there was a navigation channel some six feet deep running from Belturbet all the way

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to Belleek, a distance of some 52 miles, and at this time the longest inland navigation system in the British Isles, without a lock. However the rapids at Belleek always prevented the dream of having vessels sailing right through the lake and on out to the open sea via Ballyshannon into

Donegal Bay and the Atlantic Ocean.

THE GREAT AGE OF THE MAJESTIC PADDLE STEAMER “LADY OF THE LAKE”

The wooden paddle steamer “Countess of Erne” owned by William Dargan was the first steam boat to operate on the Lough. Its first voyage was from Wattlebridge to Enniskillen in 1892, finally reaching Enniskillen on Christmas Eve – she then towed canal boats back to and from

Wattlebridge Quay and lock – the start of the Ulster Canal. The Countess operated on this route until 1899.

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THE RIGHT HONOURABLE J G V PORTER OF BELLISLE & HIS COMMERCIAL PASSENGER STEAM BOAT SERVICES PROVIDED BY MV & MV BELTURBET ON THE UPPER LAKE & RIVER ERNE KNOWN LOCALLY AS THE “ROYAL ERNE NAVY”

In June 1851 an experimental service between Belleek and Newry was started, the screw steamer JSS Shamrock was the operating tug, but the service was soon suspended due to both travelling time and cost overheads.

Mr J G V Porter, a philanthropic and landowner at Bell isle Estate, Upper Lough Erne...where back in the 15th century Cathal og McManus first started work at Bell isle on the annals of Ulster...the greatest historic work to have emerged from the great age of the Maguire Clans and rulers of South West

Ulster.

Early in 1868 J G V Porter purchased the Dublin built “Knockninny” which travelled to Lough Erne via the Ballinamore Canal, taking some three weeks to complete the voyage,in the Autumn of 1868. This steamer plied regularly for many years between Enniskillen and Belturbet ­ tickets from Enniskillen to Dublin could be obtained on board for 8/3 third class, leaving Enniskillen at 7am. *Goods could also be sent from Enniskillen to

Dublin for 13/6 per ton. Sadly the Knockninny was laid up in 1900 and sold on for scrap during the 1914­1918 war.

The other Porter steamer was the SS Belturbet built at Preston and transported to the lake in sections in 1883, operating up until 1895. She maintained a market service on the Upper lake,including to Lisnaskea Loughhead and also ran excursions in summer. The Belturbet was later converted to a “house boat” and finally scrapped during the first World War. The Porter fleet was often advertised as the “Royal Erne Navy”.

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LOCALLY BUILT “COUNTESS OF MILAN” OPERATED ON LOWER LOUGH ERNE BETWEEN 1858 & 1859

The next regular steamer was the “Countess of Milan”. A paddle steamer built locally by J C Bloomfield of Castlecaulfield, trading on the Lower lake from 1858 until 1859, but she was not ideal to operate in lower water levels, due to her excessive size and draft and was taken out of service early.

THE LARGEST SHIP ON THE LAKE... BUILT IN SCOTLAND NAMED THE DEVENISH & LAUNCHED BY LADY LOUISA CRICHTON IN 1872 OPERATING ON THE ERNE FOR 7 YEARS & WAS FINALLY WRECKED NEAR ACCRA WEST AFRICA DURING 1883 The largest ship on the Erne was “The Devenish”, (later renamed “Lady of the Lake I”) built in Renfrew, Scotland for the Lough Erne Steamboat

Company and brought to Enniskillen in sections by rail and reassembled at Market Quay.

The Devenish was launched by Lady Louisa Crichton in July 1862. For 7 years she plied daily in summer and winter between Enniskillen and Belleek – she was later sold off the lake in 1869 to Captain Brown of Bangor, trading between Belfast and Holywood. Then in 1873 she was moved out to West

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Africa but ten years later was wrecked near Accra! A very sad end to an Elegant steamer, thousands of miles away from Lough Erne and her original fresh water cruising grounds!!

THE LONGEST SERVING COMMERCIAL STEAMER ON THE ERNE SYSTEM WAS THE SS ROSSCLARE...RENAMED THE LADY OF THE LAKE II

The longest­lived passenger steamer on the Lough was the SS Rossclare obtained in

1866 by Major D’Arcy Irvine, to be used in connection with his hotel at Rossclare on the lower lake and was later used as a private yacht. Then after being laid up for several years she was bought for £50, extensively renovated and refitted at Enniskillen and renamed “Lady of The

Lake II”.

The Lady of the Lake provided daily service from Enniskillen East Bridge Quay through the

Lower lake to Castle Caldwell, for connections via the railway station at Blen­na­ lung –Castle

Caldwell and onward travel to the seaside resort of Bundoran via Belleek * for the day,the round trip sitting in the first class saloon was 5/6, second class was 3/6 and third class but 2/6 being located in the third class fore cabin.

She was then put on a summer tourist run between Enniskillen and Castle Caldwell station offering round trips by steamer or return to Enniskillen by rail, as well as combined rail and steamer tickets returns to Bundoran, Co Donegal. * In 1914 she was laid up, and after the Great War was converted to a screw propelled craft. Her name was changed to “Pandora” and she was repainted battleship grey.

During the troubles in the early 1920’s she was used by the military to patrol the lakes, and earlier had distributed UVF weapons. Later she was moored near the West Bridge,Enniskillen and finally broken up in 1956.

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In June 1930 a large motor boat named “Enniskillen” built in Bangor and transported to Enniskillen by a special train. She ran excursions on the lower lake and in 1939 – 1945 was taken over by the military, she later sank in the lower lake, during the height of the mighty Sunderland and Catalina flying boat bases...during World War II.

EVEN TODAY MANY HAPPY MEMORIES OF SUNDAY TRIPS ON THE ENDEAVOUR REMAIN

The wooden clinker boat “Endeavour”, which was constructed in Enniskillen by G McQuillan and had a cruising speed of 8 knots. This craft was used during World War II in the lower lake at the Castle Archdale flying boat base, for maintaining moorings and servicing the sunderland flying boat. Later after the war she was again acquired by Mr McQuillan, who obtained a passenger license to operate private trips and public excursions on the upper and lower lake,including Lisnaskea Methodist Church Sunday School outings, on the Upper lake from Carrybridge to Crom.

PRIVATE STEAM YACHTS BASED AROUND THE UPPER LAKE...TRAVELLING TO CROM...SAILING REGATTAS & SHOOTING PARTIES

There have also been several large private steam yachts on the lake, mainly “The Earl of Erne” built in Dunbarton, Scotland in 1859, and also “The

Bellisle”, then “The Mayflower” and “The Red Lancer “, both owned by Mr Thomas Hand.

*The large steam launch “Wide­a­Wakes” was used as a flagship at the Enniskillen sailing

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regattas of the 1890’s. *The owner Lemon & Sons, Enniskillen also used her to transport sand and timber on the lakes and she was later abandoned on the shores of the upper lake in the late 1950’s.

Major Cavendish­Butler's’ family (of Inish Wrath Island and the former owner of Crehan Island) brought the first private steam boat to the Upper lake – the Comet, which was purchased in Dublin, sailed up the coast to Belfast and South through the Lagan navigation system to Lough Neagh and then via the Ulster Canal to the Upper Erne and Derryad.

THE GOLDEN AGE OF THE STEAM BOATS ON LOUGH ERNE ENDED IN THE EARLY 1900’s

The days of fine sailing and elegant steamboats seen on Upper Lough Erne ­ all came to a sad end during the early 1900’s after the water level on the

Upper Lake was lowered by up to 6ft following various major drainage schemes designed to reduce winter flooding of the region.

The first World War in which many of the male heirs and sons of the six great lakeside sailing families were sadly killed in the trenches as young men and then later the partition of Ireland in 1921 also had a considerable impact. Today only Crom Castle and Inish Wrath are occupied, with an

International Scout Centre established at Castle Saunderson which is now a partial ruin.Sadly both the great victorian mansions of St. Huberts and

Rossferry have been demolished completely, while all that remains of the upper class Anglo­Irish/West Brit families and their Upper Erne houses and

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estates are mere distant memories of the Golden Age on the Upper Lake. However the Earls of Erne still reside at Crom Castle Estate, which now belongs to the National Trust. (However the Castle west wing is open to the public for weddings and specialist events).

Today the many elegant old yachts and paddle steamers have been replaced by modern motor cruisers with major marinas at Belturbet, Quivvy, Share,

Carrybridge and Bellanaleck on the Upper lake and with plans to develop a large sheltered 80 boat marina, cottages, restaurant and lakeside country house hotel at Shannaghy Bay, Derryad, just east of Inish Wrath Island.

Modern commercial passenger craft can also be seen on the lakes with MV Trasna, a diesel powered 50 passenger craft based on the Upper Lake at the

Share Centre. While on the Lower lake at Inishclare near the Manor House hotel, the 21st century “Lady of the Lake III” once again plies the Lower lake during the summer months running special trips from Enniskillen to Castle Caldwell, sadly there are now no connecting trips to go on to Bundoran by rail from Leggs Wood Station.

There are also charter boats and luxury self­drive cruiser bases at Carrybridge, Bellanaleck, Enniskillen, the Manor House and Aghinver, on the Lower lake and a new charter boat base planned for Derryad from 2017!!