The Building of Lough Erne Cots is a wonderful short film that tells the story of a Fermanagh boat-building tradition dating back many centuries. This film follows the story of the building of four cot boats by two community groups, West Island Men's Shed and Belleek Men's Shed, both located in Fermanagh.

The Making of Lough Erne Cots is, in part, dedicated to Fred Ternan, who made it his life's work to preserve the "know-how" in the creation of a Lough Erne Cot. We are privileged to have had his depth of knowledge and passion for preserving this traditional craft. This film is a legacy to the story of our people who once inhabited the islands of Lough Erne.   

The Building of Lough Erne Cots is dedicated to the passion and commitment of Lough Erne cot expert, the late Fred Ternan, from Lough Erne Heritage (and his brother George Ternan), who had the foresight and initiative to reintroduce this ancient boat-building tradition within the Fermanagh region.

Through this initiative, Fred (and also Liam Boyle), mentored two local groups, the Belleek Men's shed and the West Island Cot Heritage Group, to produce a fleet of Fermanagh cots by sharing their knowledge and expert boat-building skills with the groups.

With support from the Lough Erne Partnership Landscape, National Lottery Heritage Fund, Fermanagh and Omagh District Council, Northern Ireland Screen, UTV and Westway Film Productions. This documentary will ensure that the heritage skills of building and rowing the unique Fermanagh cot is captured, celebrated and preserved for future generations.

In memory of Fred Ternan

Belleek Men's Shed: Leo Slevin, Pat Keown, Eugene O'Shea, Liam Kelm, Brendan Hughes

West Island Cot Heritage Group: Andrew Cathcart, Malcolm Glenn, Tom Irvine, Brendan Elliott, Liam Boyle 

Archive footage courtesy of UTV and Westway Films. Thanks to Joe Mahon and Vinny Cunningham 

Produced by Lough Erne Landscape Landscape