Lough Corrib

Lough Corrib

The waters of Lough Mask flow entirely underground towards Lough Corrib, rising in powerful springs at Cong. Found here is one of the most bizarre attempts to wish away the realities of limestone drainage. This is the famous ‘dry canal’ which was built in the 1830s to facilitate a Corrib navigation to Lough Mask. The canal proved useless, as the water sank through the limestone.

Courtesy of Ordnance Survey Ireland.

Lough Corrib
Courtesy of Ordnance Survey Ireland.

Lough Corrib

The waters of Lough Mask flow entirely underground towards Lough Corrib, rising in powerful springs at Cong. Found here is one of the most bizarre attempts to wish away the realities of limestone drainage. This is the famous ‘dry canal’ which was built in the 1830s to facilitate a Corrib navigation to Lough Mask. The canal proved useless, as the water sank through the limestone.

Courtesy of Ordnance Survey Ireland.

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Lough Corrib is the second largest lake Ireland, after Lough Neagh, covering 175 km². It is a hugely important conservation site and includes 14 habitats that are listed on the EU Habitats Directive. Some of these include petrifying springs, limestone pavement, bog woodland and orchid-rich calcareous grassland.

The lake is about 35miles long and can be divided in two sections. To the south lies a smaller shallower basin, while a much larger, deeper basin lies to the north of the lake. A narrow channel of water connects the two parts and along the countryside to the west of the lake is dotted with small lakes.

There are reputed to be 365 islands scattered along the length of Lough Corrib. One of the largest, wooded and best known of these is Inchagoil Island, where there are striking views of surrounding mountainous landscape. Two churches remain on the island: St. Patrick’s, believed to have been built by St. Patrick in the 5^th century, and the Church of Saints from the 12^th century. Near St. Patrick's lies a memorial stone with the oldest inscription done in Roman letters in Ireland. It reads "Lie Luguaedon macci Menueh". This translates to "Stone of Luguaedon son of Menueh" and is believed by some to be the burial place of St. Patrick's nephew.

The short Corrib River connects Lough Corrib to the sea.