Angry Giants and...Bird Watchers??

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.

Fingal retorted, "Mountains and valleys? That's nothing! 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. Bah! What are mountains and valleys compared to that? Land doesn't change, but bodies of water are new every day."

Finn couldn't come up with an answer. In fact, (or, more correctly, in myth) he spent six days and nights worrying about it. But after taking a look at the Scotsman's land, he had to concede, if only to himself, that indeed Fingal's land had the prettiest view. The ocean ran to and from the land, waves cresting like snow capped mountains, then tumbling into blue-green depths. Truly, the lake did sparkle in the sun, and rippled with the blowing of the wind. And the river...at one time serenely flowing, at another, raging and swollen after a storm. Fury welled up within poor Finn. He grew so angry, he stomped from his land to Fingal's, grabbed up a large handful of dirt and flung it at the Scot giant. Maybe because he was "blind with rage," no one can say for sure, but Finn's aim was off. The ball of dirt fell harmlessly into the ocean, where now stands the Isle of Man in the Irish Sea. And the cavity in the land? Well, it filled with water and became Lough Neagh, of course. Finn went back home, appeased that now he had his own body of water to admire whenever he so desired.

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