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Summer's alive at Lough Neagh

This August cycling enthusiasts from all over the UK and abroad will descend on Northern Ireland's shores to take part in one of the largest Cyclo Sportives in Ireland. The highlight of the Irish cycling calendar, this annual event attracts more than 500 cyclists to one of Europe's largest lakes, Lough Neagh, located only 20 minutes from Belfast city and the central point of Northern Ireland. Lap The Lough, held on August 24th, invites anyone up for the challenge of cycling around the 35km long, 20km wide lake in support of a good cause or simply to enjoy a scenic adventure.

The largest inland water lake in the British Isles, Lough Neagh plays host to a ten-day long annual celebration from August 16th to 25th, featuring sporting events, family days out, food and drink, music festivals and boating centered around the lake's main marinas. In addition to the Lap the Lough cycle event, this year visitors can expect to watch and participate in a triathlon, sailing regatta, and the Ballyronan Food and Boat Festival. Anglers, walkers, canoeists and environmentalists will also flock to the lake for action-packed activities and multiple opportunities to sample what Lough Neagh has to offer. Last year marked the inaugural Lough Neagh Fest which managed to attract around 20,000 visitors.

Commenting on the changing face of Northern Ireland's fresh water attraction, Eimear Kearney, marketing officer for the Lough Neagh Partnership, said: "Lough Neagh has never been marketed as a recreational, tourism facility before, the potential for developing this wonderful natural resource is massive and local people are very excited about the future of the Lough."

Aside from the summer's annual festivities, Lough Neagh attracts bird watchers from all over the world with its vast number and variety of birds that winter and summer in its shores. More than 100,000 wintering wildfowl fly to the lake from as far away as Canada, Iceland and the Russian Arctic. The lake is also home to the largest commercial wild eel fishery in Europe, exporting around 650 tonnes of produce each year. According to visitnorthernireland.com, the best way to explore this region of vast natural beauty is on board the Maid of Antrim, a purpose built cruiser that can carry 100 passengers.

The Maid has several tour packages on Lough Neagh & the Lower Bann, departing from Ballyronan Marina on the western shore of Lough Neagh as well as various other points from April to October. Lough Neagh offers tourists and visitors an excellent destination to take in as much of Northern Ireland as they can, as it has shores on five out of the six counties. With a number of towns and villages scattered off these shores, visitors can take in the local charm and mingle with the people who live there.

Visitors can take advantage of the growing number of flights servicing Belfast International and City Airports on a daily basis. With more and more low-cost airlines flying to and from Belfast, there's never been a better time to visit the natural landscape and join in the festivities this summer.
05 August 2008