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The Area
Lough MacNean takes in some of the most spectacular scenery Ireland has to offer. The wetland and upland habitats attract an impressive variety of wildlife and ancient archaeological features are in abundance. The three friendly villages of Belcoo, Blacklion and Glenfarne have a strong sense of community coupled with a rich cultural heritage. Visitors can discover a charming rural lifestyle that is laid back and warm with a great sense of fun.

Go your own way! TOP
Visitors are drawn to Lough MacNean for its variety of leisure activities. Walkers and cyclists take delight in the mountain and forest trails many of which are way marked. The more adventurous can go underground and explore the complex cave networks, take to the lake for windsurfing and kayaking, and climb to new heights on mountainous cliffs.

For a more leisurely pace, a round of golf at one of Ireland’s most scenic courses is ideal followed by a picnic lunch overlooking the lake at the picturesque Cottage meadow at Belcoo. The sculpture trail makes a wonderful driving tour and will bring you to some of the most spectacular viewing points the area has to offer.

Before a night out, many people choose a pampering treat in one of the range of hairdressing and beauty salons and then head off for a gourmet meal followed by some live music in one of the local pubs.

Create for yourself a unique experience not to be forgotten by easing into village life and exploring the area by land or by lake.

WHAT WE DO TOP

Lough MacNean straddles the border in the three counties Leitrim, Cavan and Fermanagh. The Lough Macnean Tourism Initiative is an economy building project that aims to address tourism needs this cross border area. The project got underway in December 2003 and is part-financed by the European Union through the INTERREG IIIA Programme managed for the Special EU Programmes Body by the ICBAN Partnership.

The project is managed on a voluntary basis by a steering committee comprised of members of three community groups around Lough MacNean:

• Glenfarne Community Development Trust
• Belcoo Community Partnership
• Killinagh Community Council

The area has a strong track record in community development and this rural tourism project was a natural progression in building cross-border relations for the individual groups involved.

The project is due to be completed in March 2007 and over the last three years we have been focusing on working with the local community to capitalise on the wonderful resource that is Lough MacNean.

We work on a cross-border basis to lay the foundations for transforming the three communities around Lough MacNean into one viable tourism destination.

Fortunately the area has much to offer the visitor who is looking for an authentic Irish holiday experience so we only have to work towards enhancing and promoting what is already here. We do this by:

Bringing business people together to discuss ideas and make connections.

Improving access to places of interest by providing signage.

Organising events for local people and visitors to enjoy.

Working with tourist boards, local authorities and projects such as the Green Box to raise awareness of Lough MacNean as a visitor destination

Working with local people to ensure that their opinions on development in the area are taken into consideration and acted upon

Working with organisations such as National Parks and Wildlife Service and the Ulster Wildlife Trust on raising awareness of conservation and biodiversity issues. We established a wildlife group called Lough MacNean Goes Wild and ran a programme of training courses that involved getting to know our native wildlife better

Working with people in the community who have special expertise in areas of heritage conservation to help them raise the profile of certain places of interest

Supporting and providing advice to event and festival committees

Attending conferences and consultations to ensure that issues pertaining to the Lough MacNean area are highlighted

Involvement in ‘Walking Wild Ireland’ network committee and ensuring that walks around Lough MacNean are included in the marketing materials and website

Creation of marketing materials in conjunction with the local community by means of organising a photography class and holding mapping consultations to open up discussion about important features of this area

PR activities to publicise the importance of Lough MacNean as a place of astounding natural beauty with a unique cultural and natural heritage

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