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Fermanagh weekend With the expected arrival of 'Little Ellison' just before Easter this year, hubbie and I thought we'd treat ourselves to a last 'quiet and peaceful' weekend away together. We didn't want to go too far and finally decided on Co Fermanagh. What a good choice. Only an hour or so in the car, but it felt like we were in a different world. | | |  | | Janus figure, Boa Island | |
My granny's from Pettigo so on the Sunday morning we visited Carn Graveyard, just outside the village, where her ashes are scattered. I always say she's got a great view from the top of the hill there, overlooking the surrounding countryside. We then drove on the few miles to Lough Derg to take a brief look across the bleak surface of the lake to the island where pilgrims have flocked century after century. I remember granny telling me about how the jaunting cars used to line up outside the railway station in Pettigo waiting for the pilgrims coming off the train. Then heated battle would commence between rival firms wanting to transport them along the road to Lough Derg. On the way back we went via Boa Island and stopped off at Caldragh cemetery, this time to take a look at the Janus figure. This 2 faced stone statue is, I believe, pre-Christian. There is a small hollow at the top of the figure between the 2 faces (you can just about see it in the photo) where people tend to drop in coins - presumably for good luck. There were only a few in the hollow when we looked. Unfortunately, rain water has washed the colour from coins onto the stonework. |
I'd never been to Castle Archdale before and we had a lovely walk through the grounds there, passing an enclosure of deer on the way. When we got to the marina part of the park, the water was frozen solid round the boats moored there. We'd parked near a building that contains various exhibitions, but it looked closed. Still it gives us a good excuse for a return visit. I'm interested in finding out more about the role that Castle Archdale played during WWII as an operational/maintenance base for flying boats. May be I don't need to wait for a return visit, perhaps someone out there would be able to tell me about what activities went on at Castle Archdale during the war. | | |  | | Deer at Castle Archdale Country Park | |
Share YOUR stories or information about Castle Archdale, Boa Island or Lough Derg by using the form at the bottom of the page. |
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