Rosscore to Devenish. 14th to 21st May

We spent the next four days at Rosscor amidst the wind and rain. These families of goslings were introduced to the water at a dry moment.

On Tuesday we set off at 5am. It was just light enough to see the markers leading us out onto the Broad Lough, and rain was threatening. There was a slight southwesterly breeze, but stronger winds were forecast for later today, and for most of the week.

At first, we could see the famous Cliffs of Magho. (Lightened here so that you can see them in all their splendour!)

However, as we progressed along the south side of the Broad Lough, the cloud came down to cover the cliff tops, and we could also see torrential rain falling, on the north side of the lough, but fortunately it bypassed us.

Ten miles of open water seemed much further than that! We were relieved to reach Tully Castle mooring by 6-45am. There were two cruisers on the mooring, but there was plenty of room for us.
We walked through the woods to visit Tully Castle. This castle was built in 1613, but was then attacked and burnt in 1641. The herb garden is contained within a maze of hedges, in front of the castle.

There is not a lot to see through the windows!

Tully Castle mooring is very sheltered, with calm water, but these waves were rolling in, just round the corner.

We had a busy day on Thursday, first going round the headland into Tully Bay to fill up with water at the Carrickcraft hire base there. Our water tank was nearly empty, having wanted to keep the bows up for the journey along the Broad Lough. Then it was on a short sail to Drumcrow jetty for a walk along the bay. After lunch we sailed on to the southeast to Inishmacsaint Island. This is a very bleak mooring.

We walked up the hill to see Inishmacsaint Church and the Celtic Cross there.

Andy and Catkin went for a closer look at the Celtic cross, which dates from the 6th century.

The wind was now getting up, and the Inishmacsaint mooring is very exposed, so we carried on down the lough. Catkin was unimpressed at having to put her lifejacket on yet again! We sailed round Ross Point and into Cammagh Bay, a delightful secluded mooring, although it became quite windy overnight there.

Next day we sailed round to Carrickreagh, which is sheltered by islands, from the main lough. There is good walking there in the woods, up to a viewpoint over the lough.

It gives a wonderful view over the lake.

Strong winds being forecast for the next few days, we sailed back to Devenish Island on Saturday evening at 8pm. We passed the Lough Erne golfcourse, which was designed by Nick Faldo. The annual subscription here is £25,000.

The sky was very pretty on the way.

It took an hour to get to Devenish west mooring, in time to see a super sunset.