The festival featured everything from major sporting events, family days out, guided walks, food and music festivals and much, much more!

The Lough Neagh Sailing Club hosted the Lap the Lough Sail Race, a now annual event that has become one of its most anticipated fixtures in the sailing calendar.

The sail race was an open event with competitors coming from all the key sailing clubs throughout Lough Neagh. With strong winds and wet weather forecast there was a fantastic response to the race with over 70 sailors competing in 17 boats.

The start was a challenge itself with all 17 boats aiming to be first on the line for the best advantage and clear wind. The race proved to be a hard fought competition providing extremely close racing with boats finishing within the narrowest of margins. The Sail Race was split into two classes 'sports boats' and 'whitesail'.

'Loads of Mischief' helmed by Pat Kelly of Antrim Boat Club won the sports class with Pascallis, second and Selah, third. The Whitesail was won by Freebird, helmed by Nigel McFarland of Lough Neagh Sailing Club with Orca, second and Zlarin third. The overall winning club in the interclub cup 'The Cats Cradle' was Lough Neagh Sailing Club with the highest number of boats finishing in the higher positions.

The after race entertainment and BBQ was hosted by Craigavon Borough Council at the Harbour masters office with all race participants and the general public invited. The rain managed to stay away and a fantastic BBQ accompanied by Live Jazz/Blues band provided a fitting end to a successful day.

TABBDA in conjunction Cookstown District Council, the LoughShore Youth Forum, Ballyronan Boat Club and the Lough Neagh Partnership hosted a 'A Taste of the Lough', a food and boat festival at Ballyronan Marina on August 23 and 24.

Despite the dampening weather conditions patrons enjoyed the culinary delights and gourmet produce from Lough Neagh and beyond. The festival kicked off on the Friday night with Ballyronan Boat club and various other boat owners parading their boats adorned with lights illuminating the marina, a spectacular sight indeed.

The evening also provided a tantalising barbecue and fireworks display followed by lively entertainment from James Quinn and the legendary Brendan Quinn.

On Saturday there was also a boating display by Ballyronan Boat Club and the LoughShore Youth Forum demonstrating their keen sailing skills with a magnificent display of Laser, Pico and Topper racing in very difficult conditions. There was also live children's entertainment, arts and craft fair, and an extensive range of food stalls with samples galore. Visitors were also able to avail of information on a range of social health and community issues.

Sunday, August 24 saw over 700 cyclists Lap the Lough for the third time. The event was organised and funded by the Lough Neagh Partnership and associated district council areas, in conjunction with Castle Hill Cycle Club, Dungannon, left Kinnego harbour and followed the already well established cycle route, The Loughshore Trail.

The popular cycling event now in its third year is still on course to be one of the best events on the Irish cycling calendar. Over the past two years almost £20,000 has been raised for the four benefiting charities, the Lough Neagh Rescue, the RNLI, Sporting Hearts and Southern Area Hospice Services.

Lap the Lough is now an annual event so if you missed getting in the saddle this year, look out for 'Lap 4' next August.

For more information you can log onto the website www.lapthelough.org or visit the Discover Lough Neagh Website www.discoverloughneagh.com to see what you're missing in your area.