Blaney

Infobox UK place
official_name= Blaney
irish_name= Bléinigh
scots_name=
local_name=
static_

static_image_caption=
map_type= Northern Ireland
latitude= 54.4253968121487
longitude= -7.754030227661133
belfast_distance= 91 miles
population=
irish_grid_reference= H158530
unitary_northern_ireland= Fermanagh District
country= Northern Ireland
post_town= ENNISKILLEN
postcode_area= BT
postcode_district= BT93
dial_code= 028, +44 28
constituency_westminster= Fermanagh & South Tyrone
lieutenancy_northern_ireland= County Fermanagh
website=

Blaney (Irish: "Bléinigh") is a small village in County Fermanagh, Northern Ireland, on the southern shore of Lower Lough Erne. It lies 9 miles West of Enniskillen. It is within the Fermanagh District Council area.

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 inaccuarate statement in Livingstone's History of Fermanagh.) 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

Until 1987, Ely Lodge, named after Lord Ely, was a summer retreat for the Duke and Duchess of Westminster and their children. 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

Castlehume Golf Club has an 18th century dovecote in its grounds. Nick Faldo has designed a second championship course at the club which is due to open in 2008.

References

* [http://www.culturenorthernireland.org/town_Home.aspx?co=5&to=108&ca=0&sca=0&navID=1 Culture Northern Ireland]

See also

*List of villages in Northern Ireland
*List of towns in Northern Ireland