With more than 150 islands and 500 square kilometres of water the Erne provides a sanctuary to the people who live around its shores and to some of Europe’s most endangered wildlife species.

Lough Erne in Fermanagh, the western most county of Northern Ireland, has been a centre for human activity for thousands of years and now attracts around 350,000 visitors annually.

Filmed over a year, a new BBC One Northern Ireland series charts the passing of the seasons through the eyes of the people who live and work on the Erne capturing the stunning scenery and tranquillity of its waterways.

The four-part BBC series, The Chronicles Of Erne, starting on Monday, February 24 at 7.30pm, is a natural follow-up to The Chronicles Of Mourne broadcast in 2018 that filmed the epic vistas and panoramas of the mountains.

Armagh actor Colin Morgan, star of The Fall, Humans and Merlin, narrates the four episodes and takes viewers on a journey through a different season each week, starting with Spring.

Viewers will be treated to spectacular aerial shots of the waterways and the myriad of islands and time-lapse filming getting up-close to the wildlife often hidden from view.

Made by Waddell Media for BBC Northern Ireland, The Chronicles of Erne meets the people who live and work on its shores and on the waterway.

Most days, retired school teacher Pat Lunny can be found on the lough enjoying the tranquillity of the nature.

For Pat, Spring is a time to enjoy the wonders and changes to the countryside and he brings us on to Bluebell Island to witness one of the season’s spectacles.

For Amy Burns of RSPB NI, the Erne is her office.

In the first programme, Amy is overseeing the visit of some Highland visitors.

A herd of Highland cattle are used to naturally manage the habitat on some of the islands for species of nesting birds.

Out on the water, two retired engineers, Robert and Mike, are searching the depths for unexplained objects on the seabed.

It’s believed that somewhere out on the lough there’s a graveyard of sunken Catalina planes that were based in Castle Archdale and they are using the latest technology to peer beneath the waves.

The Erne also offers solitude and inspiration.

Young nature writer, Dara, explains how the area has such a positive affect on him and his health.

Dublin-born painter Lorna Smyth is about to begin a year-long project capturing a year on Lough Erne.

For others the Erne has brought them together – a local community group, Row The Erne, built a traditional Currach – a ‘floating community centre’ as it has been described.