Lough Conn facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Lough ConnLoch Con |
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Lough Conn with Nephin in the background
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| Location | County Mayo |
| Coordinates | 54°02′36″N 9°14′42″W / 54.04333°N 9.24500°W |
| Primary outflows | River Moy |
| Catchment area | 416.48 km2 (160.80 sq mi) |
| Basin countries | Ireland |
| Surface area | 48.48 km2 (18.72 sq mi) |
| Surface elevation | 9 m (30 ft) |
| Settlements | Crossmolina, Pontoon, Foxford |
Lough Conn is a beautiful lake in County Mayo, Ireland. It's one of Ireland's biggest lakes, covering about 48 square kilometers! Right next to it is another lake called Lough Cullin. Both lakes are connected to the huge Atlantic Ocean by the River Moy. Lough Conn is super famous for fishing, especially for trout and salmon. You can also find the old ruins of a priory (a type of religious building) at Errew Abbey nearby.
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What's in a Name?
The name "Lough Conn" comes from old Gaelic stories and myths. There are a few different ideas about how the lake got its name.
The Story of Fionn and His Hounds
One popular story tells us about a famous Irish hero named Fionn mac Cumhaill. He was hunting with his two loyal hounds, named Conn and Cullin. They were chasing a wild boar. As the boar ran, water magically poured from its feet!
Fionn's hounds ran ahead of him. Conn was faster than Cullin. Conn chased the boar for many days until a huge lake appeared. The boar swam to safety, but brave Conn drowned in the new lake. This lake was then named Lough Conn after him. The same thing happened later to Cullin in the south, creating Lough Cullin.
The Lake of the Hounds
Another story says that "Lough Conn" simply means "the lake of the hounds" in the Irish language. This tale says that a fierce chieftain named Modh had many hounds. These hounds chased a wild pig into the lake. Sadly, all of Modh's hounds drowned in the water. So, the lake was named in their memory.
Where is Lough Conn?
Lough Conn is located in County Mayo, in the west of Ireland. It's connected to its neighbor, Lough Cullin, by a small channel. This channel goes under the R310 regional road near a place called Pontoon.
The River Deel flows into Lough Conn. Then, water from Lough Cullin flows out at its southern end, close to Foxford. This water joins the River Moy, which eventually empties into the Atlantic Ocean at Killala Bay.
