Blaney

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Blaney
Fermanagh
Lodge Point, Lough Erne - geograph.org.uk - 485026.jpg
Lodge Point on Lough Erne
Location
Grid reference: H158530
Location: 54°25’31"N, 7°45’15"W
Data
Post town: Enniskillen
Postcode: BT93
Dialling code: 028
Local Government
Council: Fermanagh and Omagh
Parliamentary
constituency:
Fermanagh and South Tyrone

Blaney is a small village and townland in Fermanagh. It lies on the southern shore of Lower Lough Erne, nine miles west of Enniskillen.

The name of the place is from the Gaelic Bléinigh, meaning 'Creeks'.[1]

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.[2] 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

Ely Lodge

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 school. 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

The club house, Castle Hume Golf Club

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

Outside links

Commons-logo.svg
("Wikimedia Commons" has material
about Blaney)

References

  1. Blaney - Placenames NI
  2. Livingstone, Peadar: 'The Fermanagh Story: a documented history of the County Fermanagh from the earliest times to the present day' (Cumann Seanchais Chlochair, 1969)