Festival Lough Erne – a celebration of the beautiful Fermanagh Lakelands and the extensive local product available in the area – came to a close on Sunday night after a week-long programme of events and activities.
The festival returned for its seventh year and for the first time ran for a week, from September 10-18, at locations across the Lough Erne system and the wider Fermanagh Lakelands destination.
The programme included activities both water- and land-based, ranging from wellbeing events, lough shore walks and heritage events to food and beverage experiences.
Many of the water-based activities of the festival were hosted by local adventure activity provider, Blue Green Yonder.
Talking about the success of this year’s festival, a Blue Green Yonder spokesperson said: “As part of this year’s Festival Lough Erne we provided many different activities for people to come and try.
Paddling on Lough Erne with Blue Green Yonder as part of Festival Lough Erne.
“Some of these paddles also linked in with the pilgrimage trail and linked in with the different monastic sites throughout Lough Erne.
“Devenish at Dawn, Inishmacsaint, Galloon Island, Cleenish Island, Lisgoole Abbey, Belle Isle and Daveys and White Island were the different paddles that took place throughout the week.”
Paddlers exploring Devenish Island with Blue Green Yonder.
Along with these heritage-connected paddles, Blue Green Yonder had a ‘Have a Go’ day on both Saturday afternoons for people to come down and try out stand-up paddleboarding, canoeing, kayaking and archery.
“[This] was very popular. It was great to see so many people out enjoying the waterways that we have here in Fermanagh. The week was even better due to the great weather, which made for some incredible sunsets on the evening paddles,” said the spokesperson.
Sunset paddle with Blue Green Yonder.
After a successful first weekend, Festival Lough Erne continued throughout the week. On Thursday, September 15, food lovers were spoilt with choice with a number of local restaurants offering themed dining experiences.
Tully Mill offered diners a Taste of Spain, while the Lakelander Food Experience – a collaboration between Enniskillen Taste Experience and Erne Water Taxi – invited foodies to enjoy a unique food tour on land and on water.
Elsewhere in Enniskillen, The Firehouse hosted a Tapas night with Boatyard Gin.
The events continued on Friday, September 16 with more water-based activities. Blue Green Yonder hosted a paddle around Belle Isle while Erne Tours Kestrel gave guests a boat tour to Devenish Island.
On Friday evening, Erne Water Taxi’s Island Discovery hosted a Live on the Lough event where talented local musician Conor Phillips entertained as the electric boat silently toured the lough.
Eilish Flanagan and Stephen Quinn..
It was a beautiful evening on the water, with the sunset painting the sky soothing pastel shades, providing the perfect backdrop for this relaxing event.
Those in attendance enjoyed complimentary drinks as they listened to Conor’s performance while enjoying the picturesque views.
Jonathan Toma and Christan Lewis.
Meanwhile, on land, Charlie’s Bar hosted a Wine and Cheese Tasting Evening in conjunction with Belfast Wine School in its Upstairs Lounge.
Caroline Nolan, Lorna Milligan and Gemma Maguire.
Attendees enjoyed an evening of indulgence, sampling cheese and wine pairings led by Seana Hackett from Belfast Wine School. Live music from Paddy Shannon followed.
Alsion Irvine and Philip Rowland.
On Saturday, September 17, Tully Mill hosted its second Bottomless Brunch event. Other activities included Blue Green Yonder’s ‘Paddle into the Past’ which started at the Water Activity Zone in Enniskillen.
There was Combat Corps and Water Sports at Share Discovery Village, Pedal Boats at Fermanagh Fun Farm, paddleboarding and sailing at Lisnaskea Boat Club, the Hydrobike Experience in Enniskillen, Airsoft at Battlecamp, Derrylin and the opportunity to be a Wildlife Detective at the Marble Arch Caves.
Also on Saturday, Murphy’s in Ederney offered a Serenity and Self Care Retreat with Dr. Anne Monaghan.
The festival closed on Sunday, September 18 with a History Bike Ride at Old Castle Archdale, a Blueway Experience at Stuart’s Car Park, Enniskillen and a Trad Night with Boatyard Gin in the Crowes’ Nest, Enniskillen.
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