Garadice Lough facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Garadice Lough |
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 Location in island of Ireland
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| Location | County Leitrim |
| Coordinates | 54°2′52″N 7°43′5″W / 54.04778°N 7.71806°W |
| Native name | Loch Fionnmhaí Error {{native name checker}}: parameter value is malformed (help) |
| Primary inflows | Shannon–Erne Waterway |
| Primary outflows | Shannon–Erne Waterway |
| Catchment area | 183.91 km2 (71.0 sq mi) |
| Basin countries | Northern Ireland, Republic of Ireland |
| Max. width | 3 km (2 mi) |
| Surface area | 3.89 km2 (1.50 sq mi) |
| Average depth | 5 m (16 ft) |
| Max. depth | 20 m (66 ft) |
| Surface elevation | 49 m (161 ft) |
| Islands | 3 |
Garadice Lough, also known as Garadice Lake, is a beautiful freshwater lake in County Leitrim, Ireland. Its Irish name, Loch Guth Ard Deas, means 'The South Lake of the High Voice'. This lake is found in the southern part of County Leitrim and is now connected to the Shannon–Erne Waterway.
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About the Lake
Garadice Lough is located about 8 kilometers (5 miles) east of a town called Ballinamore in South Leitrim. The lake is quite wide, stretching about 3 kilometers (1.9 miles) from west to east. It covers an area of almost 4 square kilometers (1.5 square miles).
Islands in the Lake
Garadice Lough has three islands. Two of these islands have names:
- Church Island
- Cherry Island (which was known in Irish as Cloch-inse-na-dtorc)
Water Flow
Garadice Lough is an important part of the Shannon–Erne Waterway. This waterway connects the River Shannon in the Republic of Ireland to Lough Erne in Northern Ireland.
Rivers Connected to Garadice Lough
In the past, the river flowing into Garadice Lough was called the Yellow River. The river flowing out was known as the Woodford River. The Woodford River's Irish name is Sruth Gráinne, which means 'the Gravelly Stream'. This river flows out of a smaller lake called Little Garadice Lake, which is on the eastern side of Garadice Lough. From there, it travels northeast through Ballyconnell and eventually joins Upper Lough Erne near Teemore in County Fermanagh.
Amazing Wildlife
Garadice Lough is home to many different types of fish. Anglers (people who fish) can find:
Some really big pike have been caught in this lake, weighing 10 kilograms (22 pounds) or even more!
Protecting the Lake's Environment
The water quality of Garadice Lough has been checked over the years. It has generally been reported as satisfactory. However, the lake faces challenges from invasive species. These are plants or animals that are not native to the area and can harm the local environment.
Some invasive species found here include:
- Zebra mussels
- Curly waterweed
- Freshwater clams
These species can threaten the natural balance of the lake's ecosystem.
A Look Back in Time
Garadice Lough has a long and interesting history.
Early Mentions
The lake is mentioned in very old texts. One of the earliest mentions is in a 9th-century book called Vita tripartita Sancti Patricii. This book talks about Saint Patrick crossing the lake on his way to destroy an ancient idol called Crom Cruach.
Medieval Times
During the Middle Ages, Garadice Lough was known as Lough Finvoy. Its Irish name was Loch Finn Mhagh, meaning 'The Lake of the White Plain'. The lake is mentioned several times in old Irish historical records, such as the Annals of the Four Masters and the Annals of Connacht.
For example, around the year 1257, a fortress on one of the islands, Cloch-inse-na-dtorc (which is now Cherry Island), was burned by a king named O'Rourke.
