Nature’s playground on Lough MacNean
The Cottage Lawn is an amenity area in the village of Belcoo on the shores of Lough MacNean and alongside the Belcoo River. It is home to some exceptional mature trees and offers fine views across to the Hanging Rock and Cuilcagh Mountain. With a playground located at the site, it is an ideal area to bring children to play.
The trail around Belcoo Cottage Lawn is a circular, flat trail that leads you on a 10-minute, 0.80km/0.5 miles walk around the village green. It is the perfect trail if you are looking for a quick walk to stretch your legs or for a slow meander taking in the beautiful views that surround you. With plenty of seating and picnic tables along the trail, this is the perfect spot to stop for a bite to eat.
Belcoo is a small village with a large heritage, where the past and present rest easily alongside each other. Belcoo or “Béal Átha Conga”, meaning “mouth of the narrow”, takes its name from its location at the narrow section of river connecting Upper and Lower Lough MacNean. The Cottage Lawn is located in the centre of the village.
The Cottage Lawn is an important area used by the community and visitors alike. Since 1947, on the 15 August, every year the community continue to organise a Sports Day taking place at the Cottage Lawn, to bring everyone together.
Trail Information
A haven for wildlife and wonder
Lough MacNean is a large freshwater lake divided into two parts. Lower Lough MacNean which you can view across the Cottage Lawn is the smaller eastern lake. The lough is home to a significant otter population which indicates clean water with plenty of food to feed on.
Cottage lawn is diverse haven for a wide range of wildlife and an abundance if plants species because of its unique habitats, from its parkland area, large mature trees, its mature hedgerows, large native meadow, as well as its beautiful shoreline. which are all vital habitats to plant and animals such as a number of different bat species including common pipistrelle, soprano pipistrelle and Daubenton’s bat. The area is also important for migratory birds such as Whooper Swans, Greenland white fronted geese and Golden Plover. Plant species such as Blue bells, primrose, Hawthorn, Oak trees, bramble, woodland violets and anemone, Foxgloves and , mature Ivy are all present and are vital plants for our native pollinators, birds and small mammals.
There is nearby spring well at Holywell, which was recorded as “Tobar na Dabhcha” in 1834, this translates as “Well of the Vat” or “Well of the Tub”. The well is known as St.Patrick’s Well, as many believe it was blessed by him during his travels. Others believed that it sprang up in answer to the prayers of St. Sinnell, a local 6th Century saint. Nowadays it is renowned for curing ailments.
During 1848 (19th Century), Hamilton James was one of the group responsible for bringing the railway and station to the area, which was the creation of Belcoo as a town at the time. He also built the first stone house in Belcoo, known as “the cottage” which was eventually used for housing the railway workers.
Dark Skies are those which possess an exceptional quality of starry nights and a nocturnal environment that is protected in some way. Various levels of accreditation are possible for areas which meet certain specific criteria. Exploring the feasibility and potential for Dark Skies accreditation for an area/ areas within the District is a consideration.
