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Revision as of 13:49, 28 June 2006 editPyrococcal (talk | contribs)Extended confirmed users5,494 edits took "lough" out of there - it's confusing, as Loughs can also be sea inlets/bays← Previous edit Revision as of 16:24, 28 June 2006 edit undo216.194.0.223 (talk) rv Demiurge vandalismNext edit →
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'''Lough Neagh''' (] {{IPA|}}; ] ''Loch nEathach'' {{IPA|}}) in ] is the largest freshwater ] by surface area in the ], and the third ], with an area of 388 square kilometres. Approximately 30 km (20 miles) long and 15 km (9 miles) wide, the lake is situated some 30 km to the west of ]. The Lough is very shallow around the margins and has an average depth in the main body of the lake of about 9 metres (30 feet); although at its deepest the lough is about 25 metres (80 feet) deep. '''Lough Neagh''' (] {{IPA|}}; ] ''Loch nEathach'' {{IPA|}}) in ] is the largest ], or body of freshwater by surface area, in the ], with an area of 388 square kilometres. Approximately 30 km (20 miles) long and 15 km (9 miles) wide, the lake is situated some 30 km to the west of ]. The Lough is very shallow around the margins and has an average depth in the main body of the lake of about 9 metres (30 feet); although at its deepest the lough is about 25 metres (80 feet) deep.


Five of the six traditional ] have shores on the Lough: ], ], ], ], and ]. Towns near the Lough include ], ], ], ], ] and ]. Five of the six traditional ] have shores on the Lough: ], ], ], ], and ]. Towns near the Lough include ], ], ], ], ] and ].


Although the Lough is used for a variety of recreational and commercial activities, it is exposed and tends to get extremely rough very quickly in windy conditions. It is also used as a source of fresh water by the ]. Plans to increase the amount of water drawn from the Lough, through a new ] works at Hog Park Point, have long been planned but are yet to materialise. Although the Lough is used for a variety of recreational and commercial activities, it is exposed and tends to get extremely rough very quickly in windy conditions.


Lough Neagh Rescue provides a rescue service 24 hours a day. It is a voluntary service, but its members are dedicated and possess significant expertise. Rescues are coordinated by the ]. Lough Neagh Rescue provides a rescue service 24 hours a day. It is a voluntary service, but its members are dedicated and possess significant expertise. Rescues are coordinated by the ].
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Revision as of 16:24, 28 June 2006

Lough Neagh
NASA Landsat image of Lough Neagh

Lough Neagh (pronounced ; Irish Loch nEathach ) in Northern Ireland is the largest lough, or body of freshwater by surface area, in the British Isles, with an area of 388 square kilometres. Approximately 30 km (20 miles) long and 15 km (9 miles) wide, the lake is situated some 30 km to the west of Belfast. The Lough is very shallow around the margins and has an average depth in the main body of the lake of about 9 metres (30 feet); although at its deepest the lough is about 25 metres (80 feet) deep.

Five of the six traditional counties of Northern Ireland have shores on the Lough: Antrim, Armagh, Londonderry, Down, and Tyrone. Towns near the Lough include Antrim, Toomebridge, Ballyronan, Lurgan, Craigavon and Magherafelt.

Although the Lough is used for a variety of recreational and commercial activities, it is exposed and tends to get extremely rough very quickly in windy conditions.

Lough Neagh Rescue provides a rescue service 24 hours a day. It is a voluntary service, but its members are dedicated and possess significant expertise. Rescues are coordinated by the Maritime and Coastguard Agency.

An old Irish story tells how the Lough was formed when Ireland's legendary giant, Fionn mac Cumhaill (or "Finn McCool"), scooped up a portion of the land and tossed it at a Scottish rival. He missed, and the chunk of earth landed in the Irish Sea, thus creating the Isle of Man.

Lough Neagh attracts bird watchers from many nations due to the number and variety of birds which winter and summer in the boglands and shores around the lough.

Eel fishing has been a major industry in Lough Neagh for centuries. Today Lough Neagh eel fisheries export their eels to restaurants all over the world.

There are a number of islands in the lough: Coney Island, Coney Island Flat, Croaghan Flat, Derrywarragh Island, Padian, Phil Roe's Flat and The Shallow Flat. (Note: list incomplete)

Lough Neagh was widely assumed to be owned by the state, but in 2005 it publicly emerged that it is the ancestral property of the Earls of Shaftesbury. This may have serious implications for planned changes to state-run domestic water services in Northern Ireland, as the lough supplies 40% of the region's drinking water and is also used as a sewage outfall (in a system only permissible through Crown immunity).

See also

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