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Lough Erne Resort prepares to welcome world's most powerful politicians for G8 summit

There's something in the water in Fermanagh, a county famous for its lakes, rivers and 'liquid sunshine'. And right now, something has seeped into all that wonderful wetness, creating a buzz greater even than the legendary Irish craic.

I guess that's what happens when a sleepy slice of Northern Ireland prepares to welcome the most powerful politicians in the world.

On June 17 and 18, the G8 summit, the annual meeting of the leaders of the eight wealthiest nations, will be held at Fermanagh's five-star Lough Erne Resort.

World class: Fermanagh's five-star Lough Erne Resort will host G8 leaders this month

Opened in 2007, the resort is built on a picturesque 600-acre peninsula straddling Castle Hume Lough and Lower Lough Erne. It boasts an award-winning restaurant, a Thai spa and a Nick Faldo-designed golf course.

I visited in advance, to see what Cameron & co might expect. The staff were courteous yet cagey. Despite my best efforts to find out which room Barack Obama will be staying in and what will be on the dinner menu, questions were met with genial deflection by operations manager Adrian McNally - though he admitted that, for security reasons, he has been given few details himself yet.

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'I don't even know who's sleeping where,' he confessed. 'But afterwards, we'll tell. There may be high demand for certain bedrooms ...' My room was classically styled and comfy enough for any statesman. The binoculars were a nice touch: I spied on the prolific birdlife and the groundsmen tending the fairways - and imagined myself as one of the 8,000 police officers who will protect the G8 gang.

I also took the Collop Walk, a scenic stroll around the golf course that I urge even non-players to complete - there's a bacon buttie stop at the halfway point. As well as fine views, you'll see bat boxes on the trees, hares in the rough and, with luck, otters among the reeds.

Tasteful design: The resort boasts an award-winning restaurant

I didn't swing a club, but I did meet director of golf, Lynn McCool, who admitted she'd love to tee off with President Obama. 'Will the leaders play? We don't know,' she said. 'Do we want them to? Absolutely.' If they're stressed, the politicians should head to the spa.

My masseuse, Pimluck, has eased the aches of Nick Faldo and actor Colin Farrell. Would she like to pummel Putin? 'Yes, but ...' her voice trailed off, 'there'd probably be ten security men in with us.' The weather might not suit sunbathing, but it's perfect for agriculture, and fresh local produce dominates the menu in Lough Erne's Catalina restaurant.

Head chef Noel McMeel wants to showcase the bounty - succulent lamb and beef, and abundant seafood.

Of course, there's plenty more to Fermanagh beyond the resort's gates. Whether it's the atmospheric caverns of Marble Arch Geopark, the 19th Century Castle Crom, or Lough Erne's 365 islands, the county isn't short on treasures.

Now it's time for the whole world to discover them.

Getting there

Lough Erne Resort (028 6632 3230, lougherneresort.com) is a two-hour drive west of Belfast. Its post-G8 Follow The Leaders package (a two-night midweek B&B stay with dinner on one night) costs from £155pp.

A round of golf on the Faldo Course costs from £50. An hour-long Body Bliss massage costs £75.

Seven days' car hire with Dan Dooley (0800 282189, dan-dooley.ie) costs from about £130. Pick-up is available at Belfast City Airport.


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