Lakes & Loughs of Ireland

Sligo and northwest Ireland are full of lakes. From Lough Gill to Lough Arrow and Lough Key and Lough Melvin as well as numerous smaller lakes and ponds (and of course the Atlantic coast and various bays and estuaries), this area has no shortage of water.

Lough Gill is the real standout though. The lake is probably the northwest’s most famous, made so by Ireland’s national Romantic poet, W.B. Yeats who professed its beauty in several poems. The most famous of course was The Lake Isle of Innisfree, in which he reminisces about a childhood spent on the shores of Lough Gill and the island within it. The real Isle of Innisfree is actually tiny – hardly the one iconised in the poem. But that doesn’t mean the lake doesn’t house notable islands.

In fact, there are several islands, some with a charming history like Beezy’s Island (also called Cottage Island), where an old woman lived for years and years, rowing into town for her weekly grocery run, and Church Island, home to a crumbling chapel. Lush woodland hugs the shores, and the many peaks of north Leitrim overlook it. Ancient ruins dot the area – in fact, Sligo has two of the most important Neolithic centres in all of Ireland.

Perhaps the most in-depth way to experience the lake and islands is by kayak, but another way to bask in the beauty of Lough Gill and the Dartry Mountains is by biking the region. You’ll also get the chance to pedal past Glencar Waterfall, another local site that appears in a Yeats poem. More about Sligo here.

Bike through Sligo a relaxing and carefree private biking and wellness tour. 

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Killarney National Park was Ireland’s first established national park, in 1932. The park encompasses a variety of landscapes – lowlands and thick forests, soaring mountains and crashing waterfalls, important heritage sites like Muckross House, Ross Castle and Kate Kearney’s cottage.

And, of course, the lakes of Killarney. There are several. The prominent ones are of course Lough Leane, Muckross Lake, and the Upper Lake, but there are dozens of smaller lakes in the area, along the Gap of Dunloe and throughout the MacGillycuddy’s Reeks mountains. Killarney is one of the region’s hotspots for adventure tourists and outdoor lovers.

With the lower regions of the park easily accessible from Killarney town, the upper reaches of the park and surrounding mountains offer a sense of serenity and remoteness for any hardy enough to head upwards.

A great way to experience the lakes is by combining a boat trip with a hike. A local boatsman (and his dog!) will take hikers out across the lakes to the mountains on the other side of, letting hikers meander back to Killarney. This is a great introduction to the park, particularly for those that hope to head into the mountains of Kerry later in the trip. Learn more about the Ring of Kerry in our guide.

Hike the Kerry Mountains

Bike through Kerry

This long, narrow ribbon of a lake lends its name to Glenveah National Park in Donegal. Running through a narrow valley in a remote, boggy landscape, this far-flung region was turned into a Victorian hunting lodge when a wealthy gentleman constructed a fairytale castle and walled gardens on Lough Veagh’s shores.

Once a rural retreat for wealthy Victorians looking to hunt, shoot, and relax amongst the vastness of nature, Glenveagh and its hauntingly beautiful lake and landscape offered an escape from the bustle of the world. Though perhaps a bit less savage today than it was 100+ years ago, Lough Veagh and the surrounding park remains one of Ireland’s most stunning and wild corners.

The best way to experience Lough Veagh is by hiking or biking Glenveagh National Park beyond the manicured grounds of Glenveagh Castle. 

Hike Glenveagh

Biking Donegal

Actually comprising of two lakes, Upper Lough Erne and Lower Lough Erne, these lakes are found near the Northern Irish border on either side of the town of Enniskillen.

Upper Lough Erne is the predominant of the two lakes and contains dozens of islands. In fact, several of Lough Erne’s islands are home to fascinating historical sites, like Devenish Island with its’ beautifully intact round tower and the ruins of a monastery; White Island with its 12 century Romanesque church ruins and its bizarre collection of stone statues; and Boa Island, the location of a mysterious – possibly Pagan – dual-sided stone figure tucked into a forgotten graveyard.

Lower Lough Erne also has a plethora of islands, the largest of which hosts the stunning Belle Isle Castle, an idyllic exclusive use private castle that is the perfect upscale escape for groups.

There are a number of opportunities to experience the lake – boat trips are available and kayaking is also a great option and a stay at Belle Isle Castle on its private is a lovely getaway (check out some other amazing Irish castles to stay in).

Tucked away in a rural corner of West Cork is the teacup-sized park of Gougane Barra. This little place is named for Saint Finbarr who is said to have built a monastery on an islet in the lake in the 6th century.

The current monastery was erected around 1700, and was a popular place to celebrate forbidden mass due to its isolation. The small picturesque lake is framed by rugged hills and lush woodland.

Despite its small size, Gougane Barra is one of Ireland’s most magical regional parks – the lake and its miniature island monastery looks like a fairytale come to life.

Visit Gougane Barra and West Cork on a wellness escape in southwest Ireland.

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