Castlefore Lough facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Castlefore Lough |
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Castlefore Lough
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 Location in island of Ireland
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| Location | County Leitrim |
| Coordinates | 54°01′23″N 7°54′42″W / 54.02306°N 7.91167°W |
| Lake type | Freshwater |
| Native name | Baile Choille Fóir Loch Error {{native name checker}}: parameter value is malformed (help) |
| Primary inflows | Shannon–Erne Waterway |
| Primary outflows | Shannon–Erne Waterway |
| Basin countries | Ireland |
| Surface area | 0.3 km2 (0.12 sq mi) |
| Max. depth | 6 m (20 ft) |
| Surface elevation | 66 m (217 ft) |
| Islands | 1 |
Castlefore Lough is a beautiful freshwater lake in northwest Ireland. It is known for its good fishing, especially for different types of coarse fish. However, it can be tricky to fish from the banks.
The lake's health, and that of other waterways in County Leitrim, faces challenges. Some plants and animals that are not native to the area, like "curly waterweed" and "zebra mussels", can cause problems for the lake's natural balance. These are called invasive species.
What's in a Name?
The name "Castlefore Lough" comes from the local area called "Castlefore". In Irish, this is Baile Choille Fóir. This means "the lake of the townland, or homestead, of the wood". So, the name tells us about a place where people lived near a wood by the lake.
Where is it?
Castlefore Lough is located in the southern part of County Leitrim, in northwest Ireland. It is about 3 kilometers (1.9 miles) east of Keshcarrigan village. It is also about 4 kilometers (2.5 miles) west of Fenagh.
The lake has a unique shape, a bit like a tilted cone. It covers an area of about 0.3 square kilometers (0.12 square miles). At its deepest point, the lake is about 6 meters (20 feet) deep.
Fish and Wildlife
Castlefore Lough is home to many kinds of fish. You can find "roach-bream hybrids", which are a mix of two different fish species. There are also Roach, Perch, and Bream. Other fish include Tench and Pike.
A special thing about the pike in Castlefore Lough is that they are the "native Irish strain". This means they are the original type of pike found in Ireland. They are different from other types of pike found in Europe. Some pike in the lake can weigh up to 8 pounds (3.6 kg).
People and History
Long ago, even in Prehistoric Ireland times, people lived on islands in the lake. These islands were often man-made or partly man-made, and they are called crannogs. There might have been one or even two crannogs at the eastern end of Castlefore Lough.
Today, the main villages near the lake are Keshcarrigan and Fenagh. There are also smaller areas called townlands around the lake. These include Gubroe to the northwest, Killmacsherwell to the north, Annaghaderg to the south, and Leamanish to the southeast.
A Lake in Poetry
The beautiful scenery around Castlefore Lough has even inspired poetry. An old poem called "An Exile's Dream" talks about how lovely and picturesque the lake is. It praises the "bright crystal waters" and the "sweet little space" of the island where birds nest. The poem shows how much someone who had left the area missed the lake.
