Carrowmore Lake facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Carrowmore Lake |
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Western shore of lake
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 Carrowmore Lake
Location in Ireland
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| Location | County Mayo, Connacht, Ireland |
| Coordinates | 54°11′N 9°47′W / 54.183°N 9.783°W, F836275 |
| Native name | Loch na Ceathrún Móire Error {{native name checker}}: parameter value is malformed (help) |
| Basin countries | Ireland |
| Surface elevation | 128 metres (420 ft) |
Carrowmore Lake (which is Loch na Ceathrún Móire in Irish) is a beautiful freshwater lake in County Mayo, Ireland. It's located between the villages of Bangor Erris and Barnatra. This lake is very important because it provides drinking water for the entire Erris area.
Carrowmore Lake is over 4 miles (about 6.4 km) long and nearly 3 miles (about 4.8 km) wide at its widest point. The land around the lake is mostly covered by a type of wet, peaty ground called blanket bog. You can also see many houses along its shores.
Contents
About Carrowmore Lake
What Kind of Lake Is It?
Carrowmore Lake is known as an oligotrophic/mesotrophic lake. This means its water is usually very clear and clean, with a moderate amount of nutrients. The lake sits on a base of special rocks called Dalradian schists and pale quartzite. These are types of hard, layered rocks.
Water Source and Surroundings
The lake gets its water from the Carrowmore River. It then drains into the Owenmore River, which eventually flows into Blacksod Bay. The area that collects water for the lake, called its catchment area, includes the townland of Bellanaboy.
Protecting the Lake
Carrowmore Lake is a very special place for nature. It has been given important protections under European Union law. It is a S.P.A. (Special Protection Area) for birds, which means it's a safe home for many different bird species. It is also a S.A.C. (Special Area of Conservation), which helps protect its natural habitats and wildlife.
History and Ancient Stories
Islands and Ancient Forts
There are many islands scattered across Carrowmore Lake. Some of these islands are thought to have been crannogs. Crannogs were artificial islands built long ago, from the Iron Age all the way up to the 17th century. People used them as homes or even as small forts in the middle of the lake.
On the mountain at the southwest corner of the lake, you'll find the fort of Rathmorgan. This site is famous in Irish folklore.
A Famous Irish Tale
Rathmorgan is part of the story of the Táin Bó Flidhais. This is an old tale from the Iron Age cycle of folklore. It tells the story of a cattle raid on Erris from a place called Cruachan in Tulsk, County Roscommon. It's a fascinating glimpse into ancient Irish legends!
The famous writer George William Russell even wrote a poem about Carrowmore Lake, showing how inspiring this place has been for artists.
