At approximately 18 miles long and 11 miles wide, Lough Neagh in Northern Ireland is not only Ireland's largest lake, but the largest in the British Isles. The lake is a haven for many different types of fowl, including graceful swans, and in the winter, varieties of ducks and other birds escaping the harsh northern winters. For this reason, bird watchers are especially attracted to this area. Lough Neagh, along with the other wetland areas surrounding it, has been designated as a Ramsar conservation site. But for all it's peace and tranquility, the lake had rather tumultuous beginnings.
Legend has it that the lake was formed because of an argument between two neighbors.
Finn MacCool, leader of the Fianna Fail and a giant, had a temper. A rather bad one, at that. One day, he and his neighbor, a Scotsman named Fingal, began to argue about who had the prettiest view from his home lands. For over a week this went on, Finn arguing from his mountain top that his view of mountains, valleys, and trees was the nicest. I have mountains and valleys, but I also have a river gliding through my backyard, a lake that shimmers in the sun, and even the mighty ocean lapping on the edge of my lands.