Upper Lough Erne Landscape

Key Characteristics

• A complex and secret landscape with a small scale intricate pattern of land and water.
• Rolling low drumlins and flooded hollows linked by streams and the River Erne.
• Mosaic of small pastures on drumlins, woodland and wetland.
• Thickly wooded shorelines, dense bushy hedgerows and hedgerow trees separating small fields give an enclosed and well vegetated character.
• Attractive wooded estates with grand historic buildings.
• Scattered small isolated settlements along twisting roads and on drumlin tops.
• Occasional views across open water to wooded islands. .

Landscape Description

Upper Lough Erne is a small scale intricate landscape in the south of Fermanagh. The landscape is dominated by water as the channel of the River Erne splits and joins, widens and narrows around islands of varying shapes and sizes. Low lying interconnected drumlins stretch across the lough from west to east providing linkages between the shorelines.

Views vary from enclosed inlets to wider reaches of open water which are scattered with islands. The shores are thickly wooded and the surrounding drumlins are divided by a dense patchwork of fields and hedges. Between the drumlins are many small loughs, each fringed with reed beds, carr woodland and the occasional crannog.

The only prominent landmark in this vast and intricate network of wetlands is the hill of Knockninny which rises from the drumlin plain and commands excellent views of the lough. There is a limestone quarry on its western side. Small settlements are scattered throughout the area along disorientating narrow twisting roads and on the higher ground of drumlin tops and sides. There are traditional small farms and cottages throughout. The grand buildings (some derelict) of large wooded and parkland estates such as Crom Castle, are important local landscape features. Lisnaskea is the main town in the area.

Landscape Condition and Sensitivity to Change

The intricate patchwork of waters, woodland and fields divided by hedgerows is generally in good condition, providing a good structure and sense of enclosure to this landscape and increasing its capacity to absorb some change. Loughs and lough fringes are often in pristine semi-natural condition and would be sensitive to changes in local land uses, water quality or changing water levels. Views are often interrupted by the complex landform but there are occasional opportunities for longer views across open water. The attractive and well maintained estate landscapes would be very sensitive to change and there is little recent development throughout these areas.

Principles for Landscape Management

• The conservation of the semi-natural vegetation on lough fringes and shores as important habitats for wildlife would be of benefit. Undisturbed islands serve as havens. Most of the lough is designated as ASSI, SPA and Ramsar sites.
• The management and replanting of hedgerows and trees (particularly within estate landscapes) to replace the majestic mature oaks as they reach senility is important in the long term conservation of these features.
• There is an increase in cruiser traffic from the canal linking the Shannon and the Erne. The zoning of uses and speeds for individual loughs would help resolve any conflicts in use between recreation and conservation.
• There is much scope for increased public access to this landscape through the provision of footpaths and bridges.
• The monitoring and protection of water quality in this landscape is important; the implications of changes in land use (and use of septic tanks) close to lough fringes is a critical factor.

Principles for Accommodating New Development

• There is scope for scattered small scale development to be accommodated on low drumlins and in association with vegetation so that it does not intrude upon the quiet rural character of this landscape.
• Existing houses and farms occupy the higher ground of low drumlin tops. Small scale white painted cottages are characteristic.
• The design, size and location of tourist development requires care so that it does not become visually prominent; lough shores would be very sensitive to development.
• The historic landscape settings and characters of the many estate buildings in the area are sensitive to the construction of associated buildings and to work on repairs or alterations; planting plans, land management practices and the use of building materials should all reflect historic precedents.