Crom Estate National Trust Site--- Fishing site
Upper Lough Erne
Newtownbutler
County Fermanagh
Northern Ireland
BT92 8AP

Tel: 028 6773 8118
Fax: 028 6773 8118

E-mail: crom@nationaltrust.org.uk
Web site: www.nationaltrust.org.uk/

The National Trust blurb says: "Romantic and tranquil landscape of islands, woodland and historical ruins. Set on the shores of Upper Lough Erne, Crom is one of Ireland’s most important nature conservation areas with many rare species. There are nature trails, a programme of guided walks, boats for hire, a jetty for overnight boats, coarse angling, comfortable holidaycottages, a wildlife exhibition and rooms for private hire. A campsite is located on the Shannon-Erne Waterway."

(Note that Upper Lough Erne is actually *below* lower Lough Erne (its Ireland after all))

The place is SO much more than this. Its one of the closest places to heaven on earth I have ever been. So-called ‘civilisation’ seems so far away as you stand by the shore of the lough and look up at the stars, so clear and so bright, and the shining moon reflected in the water.

Romantic ruins of the old castle, deer park, wildlife hide where you can stay overnight to see what you see. Philip certainly saw a vast array of bird species, also hares, and unusual plants. Day passes are available for fishing if you’re stuck for something for the bbq, although how you bbq a pike I’m not sure. And they also sell venison from their own deer herd.

You can arrive by car or a camper van, or you can park your boat on the jetty. On Sunday you can take the boat to the Church with the Earl who lives in the new castle. The ’Old Earl’ used to row the boat himself for anyone wanting to go to Church, Philip remembers going across when he was a Cub Scout.

The campsite itself is tents only, we were the only campers there - although it *was* the first weekend in April. Doesn’t take long to describe, its a well drained, level grassy area close to the Visitor Centre, and you are given the access codes for entrance to the facilities - first class, including showers - so its not a matter of ’behind the nearest tree’ when the Centre shuts. If you ask nicely you can camp down at the ruins of the old Castle as well.

Nearby villages have shops and pubs, haven’t made a thorough investigation yet, but Lisnaskea seems a good bet, and you are not far from Enniskillen, Marble Arch caves and all sorts of other interesting stuff. We were just so entranced by Crom itself we didn’t really want to wander too far.

Susan McKinght. CLIC. April 2004

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