Lough Neagh is widely known as the largest lake of fresh water throughout the British Isles. It is 20 miles long and nine miles wide and mostly shallow, but reported to be as many as 80 feet deep in spots. It encompasses an area of about 153 square miles. Lough Neagh receives its water from six rivers, and empties into the Lower Bann, which carries the water out to the sea. It is the primary water source for much of Belfast, and has a reputation as a prime fishing area known for its eels and as a habitat for a broad variety of bird life.
The origin of Lough Neagh is deeply rooted in legend. Folklore says that the Irish giant, Fion Mac Cumhaill, popularly known as Finn MacCool, dug up a fist full of the Irish soil and threw it at an enemy over in Scotland. The hole left behind filled up and became Lough Neagh, while the soil landed in Irish Sea and formed what is known as the Isle of Man.
Fin MacCool himself was the leader of the Fianna, warriors whose job it was to keep Ireland safe from foreign invaders. Finn was a wise leader and a strong warrior, with special mental powers. He had a huge dog named Bran, who is believed to have been the first of the Irish Wolfhound breed.
The Fianna were able to travel into the world of the supernatural, including the afterlife. Finn was known as a giant of great proportions, and is credited in Irish folklore with the building of the Giant’s Causeway in nearby County Antrim.
Lough Neagh’s shorelines belong to five different counties of Northern Ireland. Native fish include salmon, pollen, perch, dollagh (also known as Lough Neagh trout), bream, and roach. The waterway is an integral part of the area’s economic development, providing income for the locals and recreational opportunities for visitors.
The Lough Neagh Discovery Centre is a fully staffed facility that schedules guided tours and nature walks, as well as bird watching sessions. It features an excellent café, craft shops that sell creations of local artists, and meeting rooms for various occasions.
The Lough Neagh Discovery Centre is located on Oxford Island, really a peninsula, on the southern shore. Some of the best recreational areas can be found nearby.
Toome, on the north shore, features the area’s largest eel fishery, which sends their catch off to some of the country’s best restaurants.
Peatlands Park is another Lough Neagh recreational area. It provides a popular railroad tour of the regions boglands.