Overview
Lough MacNean lies in two basins on the border between Northern Ireland and the Republic, split across County Fermanagh, Cavan and Leitrim, with the villages of Belcoo and Blacklion sitting on the narrow neck of land between the two lakes. The Irish name, Loch Mac nÉan, means ‘Mac nÉan’s lake’. Upper Lough MacNean, the larger western basin, covers around 983 hectares (2,429 acres) on its own; the Lower lake to the east is smaller. It’s the heart of the Cuilcagh Lakelands UNESCO Global Geopark, which runs cross-border through Fermanagh and Cavan.
A drainage scheme in the 1960s reshaped the lake and, in the process, wiped out the eel fishery that had fed local families for generations – the kind of trade-off that never makes the tourist brochures.
Getting there and facilities
The obvious base is the Lough MacNean Amenity Area, just outside Blacklion on the N16 Sligo road. Parking and entry are free. There are toilets and changing facilities, a pier and jetty for boats, picnic areas, an outdoor adult gym and a children’s playground – the play park reopened in June 2026 after a spell closed. Interpretation panels cover the geology, the island history and the crannogs.
Walking and cycling
A shoreline loop of roughly 3.6km follows the water, crosses the Belcoo River and takes in views of the foot-bridged islands. Cyclists tend to do the quiet ‘Lap of the Lake’ road circuit, which crosses the border into Leitrim and back – an easy spin, popular with e-bike riders. For something longer, the final stage of the Cavan Way ends near Blacklion, coming down through limestone karst from the Shannon Pot. On a clear day Cuilcagh Mountain fills the horizon to the east, with its own boardwalk trail starting a few kilometres out of Blacklion.
Angling and water sports
Lough MacNean is a coarse-fishing lake holding pike, perch, bream, roach, hybrids and brown trout, with the late-spring mayfly hatch bringing the trout on. Anyone 12 or over fishing the Northern Ireland side needs a valid NI coarse rod licence, so check current permit and season details on the DAERA/nidirect site before heading out. One practical warning from DAERA: the lake has unmarked shallows, so take it steady in a boat. The sheltered bays off the amenity-area jetty suit beginners in a kayak or canoe, though the water level shifts with the season.
Islands and the sculpture trail
Both basins are dotted with islands. Cushrush and Inishee lie in the Lower lake; the Upper holds a scatter that includes Bilberry, Inishkeen and Trawnish among others. Several are tied to the mainland by small footbridges rather than boats. Cushrush is the archaeologically important one – flint microliths found there push human use of the lake back to the Mesolithic – and each basin still has a crannog, an artificial island once used as a fortified dwelling.
The Lough MacNean Sculpture Trail is a 40-mile circular route studded with works by Irish artists, each piece tied to its spot along the border. You can drive it, cycle it or walk sections of it; it’s as much a way to see the wider Geopark landscape as an art trail.
Dining and nearby attractions
Belcoo and Blacklion between them have cafés, tea rooms and pubs. Blacklion is also home to Neven Maguire’s MacNean House, one of the best-known restaurants in the country, so book well ahead if that’s the plan. Within a short drive:
- Hanging Rock – a striking limestone cliff on the north-eastern shore, best seen from the roadside lay-by.
- Aghanaglack dual-court tomb – a well-preserved Neolithic tomb just north of the lakes (Aghanaglack – Tomb and River Highlights).
- Cuilcagh Mountain Park – blanket-bog restoration trails and the summit boardwalk, starting east of Blacklion.
- Glenfarne Forest – more walking loops and woodland scenery.
Practical tips
The amenity area is set up for day trips, but B&Bs in Blacklion and Belcoo fill fast on summer and angling weekends, so book ahead. April and May give the softest light for photography and the mayfly hatch for trout anglers; in autumn the water cools and pike activity picks up. Check the Cuilcagh Lakelands Geopark website for trail conditions and event listings before you travel.