The Eisenhower Trail is named after Dwight D. Eisenhower and it covers the counties of Fermanagh and Tyrone and it includes Caste Archdale Flying Boat Base as an area of high historical importance.
Castle Archdale Flying Boat Base played an extremely important role throughout the Second World War in Northern Ireland. You can visit this country park which houses a WW2 exhibition and find out more about these fascinating times on the shores of Lough Erne and the Squadrons based here. https://discovernorthernireland.com/things-to-do/castle-archdale-countryside-centre-and-war-museum-p675541 )
Eisenhower was known to his friends as ‘Ike’ and served as Supreme Allied Commander in Europe during the Second World War, commanding the D–Day landings in June 1944. In December that year, Eisenhower was promoted to the highest rank in the American army – General of the Army. Eisenhower visited Northern Ireland in May 1944 to inspect the American troops in the lead up to the allied invasion of Europe.
1940s war came to Northern Ireland with the friendly invasion of US troops who were sent here in preparation for the allied invasion of Europe. The rugged, green countryside soon rang to the sounds of American accents and the rumble of Second World War aircraft. The GI Trail aims to expose this fascinating era by mapping out the sites at which the American GIs were located, telling the stories of the men who called Northern Ireland their home for a short time and exploring the unique legacy they left behind. So step back in time with our trail and retrace the footsteps of the American GIs.
If you want to find more information about this, you can visit their website –https://gitrailni.com/eisenhower/castle-archdale-flying-boat-base/ or you can visit the Caravan Site office and we can give you some brochures which include the trails for you to adventure.
Happy exploring!
Team CA.