Lough Ree

Aeroplane on Lough Ree

Lough Ree is a venue for all kinds of activities. Here, a plane lands on the lake's surface.

Image courtesy of M. O'Dornan

Aeroplane on Lough Ree
Image courtesy of M. O'Dornan

Aeroplane on Lough Ree

Lough Ree is a venue for all kinds of activities. Here, a plane lands on the lake's surface.

Image courtesy of M. O'Dornan

Enlarge image

Lough Ree is the fourth largest lake in Ireland after Lough Neagh, Lough Corrib and Lough Derg. It is located along the River Shannon and is considered to have a mesotrophic system. Lough Ree hosts a total of fifty-two named islands, some of which were inhabited until quite recently, and numerous smaller rocky outcrops.

Among the variety of vegetation at Lough Ree, arrowhead is particularly noteworthy as it is rare in Ireland and is generally confined to the Shannon Basin area. Alder Buckthorn, Bird Cherry, Marsh Pea, and betony are among the other rare plant species that grow at Lough Ree.

The lake is a very important habitat area for wintering waterfowl as the surrounding grasslands provide food, shelter and breeding ground for waders. Some of the most commonly spotted birds at Lough Ree’s shores include Tufted Duck, goldeneye, coot, Golden Plover, lapwing, wigeon, pintail, shoveler, mallard, Little Grebe, and cormorant.