Lough MacNean
Lough MacNean (from Irish Loch Mac nÉan, meaning 'Mac nÉan's lake') is a large freshwater lake on the border between Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland.
| Lough MacNean | |
|---|---|
| Loch Mac nÉan (Irish) | |
Inishee on Lower Lough MacNean | |
Location in Ireland | |
Map showing Upper (left) and Lower (right) Lough MacNean (1900). | |
| Location | County Fermanagh; County Cavan; County Leitrim |
| Coordinates | 54°17′20″N 7°50′0″W |
| Type | Freshwater |
| Primary outflows | Arney River |
| Basin countries | Northern Ireland, Republic of Ireland |
| Settlements | Belcoo, Blacklion, Glenfarne |
It is in two parts. Lower Lough MacNean (or Lough Nilly), the smaller eastern lake, is wholly within County Fermanagh (in Northern Ireland). Upper Lough MacNean, the larger western lake, is split between Fermanagh, County Cavan and County Leitrim (in the Republic of Ireland). On the strip of land between the two lakes are the villages of Belcoo (Fermanagh) and Blacklion (Cavan). A river runs between the villages, linking the eastern and western lakes.
The shape of Lough MacNean changed during the 1960s when a major draining operation took place; before this, the lake was used for eel fishing, but dredging during the drainage process decimated their numbers.