Lough Rea (Irish: Loch Riach),[2] also Loughrea Lake, is a lake in Ireland, located south of Loughrea, County Galway.[3]

Lough Rea
Loch Riach (Irish)
Aerial view over Loughrea town towards the lake.
Lough Rea is located in Ireland
Lough Rea
Lough Rea
Location in Ireland
LocationCounty Galway, Ireland
Coordinates53°11′23″N 8°34′35″W / 53.189684°N 8.576302°W / 53.189684; -8.576302
Lake typenatural freshwater lough
Primary outflowsLoughrea River Town Moat
Basin countriesIreland
Max. length2.61 km (1.62 mi)
Max. width1.68 km (1.04 mi)
Surface area3.01 km2 (1.16 sq mi)
Surface elevation81 m (266 ft)
IslandsAsh Island, Shore Island, Blake's Island, Barrack Island, Middle Island, Long Island, Switch Island, Stone Island North, Stone Islands South, Island McCoo
SettlementsLoughrea
References[1]

Wildlife

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Lough Rea is stocked with three-spined stickleback, ninespine stickleback, eel, perch, brown trout, rudd and pike.[4]

In folklore

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In the tradition of other Dindsenchas myths, according to Irish tradition, Lough Rea was formed after a battle fought between pre-Christian deities, who took the form of deer. The force of their battle causing a well to burst and the lake to form.[5]

Another popular piece of folklore says that there was once a town where the lake is today, but the town was submerged underneath the water.[citation needed]

See also

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References

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  1. ^ "A Reference Based Typology and Ecological Assessment System for Irish Lakes" (PDF). Environmental Protection Agency (Ireland). 2006. p. 19. Retrieved 7 March 2020.
  2. ^ "Lough Rea/Loch Riach". Placenames Database of Ireland (logainm.ie). Government of Ireland - Department of Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht and Dublin City University. Retrieved 7 March 2020.
  3. ^ "Out and About". Slieve Aughty Centre.
  4. ^ Kelly, F.L.; Connor, L.; Morrissey, E.; Coyne, J.; Matson, R.; Feeney, R.; Rocks, K. (2014). "Water Framework Directive Fish Stock Survey of Lough Rea, July 2013" (PDF). Dublin: Inland Fisheries Ireland.
  5. ^ James MacKillop, A Dictionary of Celtic Mythology, 68.