Family pays tribute to Lough Erne enthusiast

Fred (72), late of Rossclare, Killadeas, passed away suddenly on Monday, February 28 at Altnagelvin Hospital following a heart attack.

Born on the island of Inishcoonra in Co. Fermanagh, Fred’s love of Lough Erne developed from an early age.

“When he was a small boy, about five or six, in one of the old houses on the island there was a tin bath, and when they [Fred’s parents] couldn’t find him, he was out in the Lough in the tin bath,” said his wife, Florence, with a laugh.

“Fred’s brother, George, told that story about him. From then, he was always interested in anything to do with the water.”

Over the years, Fred discovered an interest in sailing. “He sailed GP14s and he sailed them very successfully with George. “They went to the Irish championships, and at one of the championships they came fifth. That was probably out of around 100 boats, so that was quite an achievement. He then went on to sail J24s with George as well.”

In later years, he and George built a ferry boat, and a clinker boat at one stage. The last project the brothers worked on together was the restoration of a snipe, which was launched at Crom in the summer of 2021.

Fred Ternan, speaking at the launch of the Snipe at Crom..

Fred was involved in various groups and clubs associated with the lough. As a keen sailor, for many years he was on the committee of Lough Erne Yacht Club, where he was Treasurer for more than 30 years, and at one point held the role of Commodore.

Along with his nephew and a few others, Fred founded Lough Erne Heritage for the promotion of all things boating, and the people who lived around Lough Erne. Fred was also a central part of the development of the Lough Erne Landscape Partnership (LELP).

Inspiring an interest in traditional boating in others, Fred assisted and supervised Cavan Men’s Shed, Belleek Men’s Shed and West Island Group in building replica Lough Erne cots.

Fred’s Lough Erne Cot design plans were also used to build a cot commissioned by Fermanagh and Omagh District Council, that is now on display at the Ardhowen Theatre in Enniskillen.

“The thing he was really passionate about, and unfortunately never saw come to fruition, was the establishment of a maritime museum on the shores of Lough Erne, to show off the wealth of boats and heritage of Lough Erne.

“More than anything else, he just wanted the history and heritage of Lough Erne to be preserved,” said Florence.

During his working life, Fred worked within the Jobs and Benefits department in the Crown Buildings, Enniskillen, where he was known to have been very kindly to the people he would have gone out to visit.

Fred Ternan.

To Fred, family life was very important. Together with Florence, his wife of 41 years, they had two children, Michael and Edwina.

“He was very good; he looked after me very well, and he was very proud of his children,” said Florence, going on to explain that Fred taught Michael and Edwina to sail in their youth.

Fred also enjoyed travelling and holidaying with his family in Europe.

Over the years the family had springer spaniels. Every morning, Fred would walk Molly the dog down to the shore near where they lived at Killadeas.

Before travelling to the Priory Church Killadeas on Thursday last, the funeral cortège followed Fred’s morning walking route from his home to Lough Erne’s shore.

As the funeral cortège arrived at the church, the cot builders, along with representatives of Lough Erne Heritage and LELP, formed a line by the door. A Lough Erne Cot was also placed outside the church. Fred’s funeral was arranged by W. T. Morrison Funeral Directors.

“The funeral was extremely well attended,” said Florence, adding: “That meant a lot. It meant recognition for all of the things he had participated in.”