castle archdale country park

The Park and surrounding area are rich in historical features; early settlers found Lough Erne a convenient and safe transport route and the islands provided solitude and security; hence on many islands monastic sites were established such as at Devenish and White Island. Both are accessible by ferry (seasonal).

During the 1939-45 War, Lough Erne played an important role as the most westerly flying boat station, from which aircraft protected the allied convoys from the U-Boat threat in the North Atlantic. Castle Archdale was the main operational/maintenance base from where Sunderlands and Catalinas flew. Evidence of this period can be found throughout the park in flying boat docks, ammunition dumps, Nissen hut bases etc. This period of the park's history is explained in an exhibiton in the Park Centre

Woodland
Unlike the surrounding forests which are coniferous the majority of the trees in the Country Park are deciduous. The most important tree is the native Oak which supports a great many insects and subsequently birds and other animals.