The Erne

This book is a treasure for the angler who wants to remember the glorious Erne River that flowed out of Lough Erne to the sea at Ballyshannon, a river than can no longer be experienced because the entire river was trashed by the 1947 construction of Cathleens Fall hydroelectric scheme. Newland, writing in the mid-nineteenth century, lovingly describes each of the 30 salmon throws between the falls at Ballyshannon and the pools above the Rose Isle falls at Belleek. In the tradition of Walton, his fishermen go out, day by day, fishing, tying flies and discussing the lore and legends of the waters they fish and detailing the construction of the flies and tackles they are using. The famous Kildoney salmon wars feature as a sort of subplot to the story and give the human detail that is missing from historical accounts. This a book full of wisdom and charm, a joy for the general reader as well as for the seasoned angler.
Cathleens Fall Hydro electric scheme is already obsolete and provides minimal electricity to the national grid. Newland's book today is a reminder of the environmental costs of what may, for a time, look like economic progress.