Blaney


Blaney is a small village and townland in County Fermanagh, Northern Ireland. It lies on the southern shore of Lower Lough Erne, west of Enniskillen. It is situated within Fermanagh and Omagh district.

History

The area takes its name from the Irish word "Bléan" which means a creek. The suggestion that it derives from the Blayneys of Castleblayney originates in an inaccurate statement in Livingstone's History of Fermanagh. Blaney Bay, on Lough Erne was a good location for prospective settlers, thus Tully Castle was founded by Sir John Hume in 1619. When it was sacked in the Irish Rebellion of 1641 by Rory Maguire, the family seat was replaced nearby with Castle Hume Hall designed by Richard Cassels.

Places of interest

Until 1987, Ely Lodge, named after Lord Ely, was a summer retreat for the Duke and Duchess of Westminster and their children. One of the children of the 5th Duke was Gerald Grosvenor, 6th Duke of Westminster whose home was here until he went to boarding schools in England. It is now a private residence. A flying boat base was built by the Americans at Ely Lodge in 1941 and American troops were based there from 1942 to 1944.

Sport

Castle Hume Golf Club has an 18th-century dovecote in its grounds. Nick Faldo has designed a second championship course at the club which is due to open in 2008.

Public transport

route 99, Belleek - Enniskillen serves Blaney infrequently - once a day each way Mondays to Fridays. Bus Éireann Expressway route 30 passes through Blaney but does not stop.