Lower Lough Erne, Rough Islands and White Cairn

Image: © David Dixon Taken: 25 Sep 2017

Lough Erne (Loch Éirne) is the name of two connected freshwater lakes in County Fermanagh. It is the second-biggest lake system in Northern Ireland and Ulster, and the fourth biggest in Ireland. The lakes are widened sections of the River Erne, which flows north and then curves west into the Atlantic. The smaller southern lake is called the Upper Lough as it is higher up the river whilst the bigger northern lake is called the Lower Lough or Broad Lough. The town of Enniskillen lies on the short stretch of river between the lakes. During the Second World War, Sunderland flying boats based at RAF Castle Archdale, on the eastern shore of Lower Lough Erne, patrolled the North Atlantic to protect shipping convoys against German U-boats. A secret agreement with the government of Ireland allowed aircraft to fly from Lough Erne to the Atlantic along the Donegal Corridor, providing vital air cover from one of the most westerly RAF bases in the United Kingdom (see Image). Perhaps this large round marker was used to aid their navigation?

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