Lough Currane facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Lough Currane |
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 Location in island of Ireland
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| Location | County Kerry, Ireland |
| Coordinates | 51°50′N 10°08′W / 51.83°N 10.13°W |
| Native name | Loch Luíoch Error {{native name checker}}: parameter value is malformed (help) |
| Primary inflows | Capall River, Cummeragh River |
| Primary outflows | Currane River to Ballinskelligs Bay |
| Basin countries | Ireland |
| Surface area | 10 km2 (3.9 sq mi) |
| Surface elevation | 5.8 m (19 ft) |
| Islands | Church Island, Rough Island, Rough Island Little, Gull Island, Rabbit Island, Oven Island, Grass Island, Carrigrower Rock, Cummeragh Island, Darby's Island, Morgan Island, Commane's Islands, Holly Island, Quarter Gannet Island, Daniel's Island, Whort Island, Fur Island, Otter Island, Arbutus Island, Tub Island Large, Tub Island Little, Horse Island, Reenaskinna Islands |
| Settlements | Raheen, Waterville |
Lough Currane (which means Loch Luíoch in Irish), also known as Lough Leeagh, is a beautiful lake located in County Kerry, Ireland. It's a freshwater lake, meaning its water is not salty like the ocean. The town of Waterville sits right on its western side, very close to the Atlantic Ocean. Another town, Raheen, is found on the lake's southern edge.
This lake is quite large, covering an area of about 10 square kilometers (or 2,500 acres). It stretches for about 5.6 kilometers (3.5 miles) in length and is about 3.2 kilometers (2 miles) wide at its broadest point. Lough Currane is also home to many small islands. One of the most famous is Church Island.
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History and Ancient Sites
Lough Currane has a rich history, especially on its islands.
Church Island Monastery
On Church Island, you can find the remains of an old monastery. This monastery was founded by St. Finan Cam around the 7th century. Imagine monks living on this small island, far from busy towns, many centuries ago! They would have spent their days praying and studying.
Inis Uasal: Noble Island
South of the main lake is another important island called Inis Uasal. This name means "Noble Island" in Irish. It was also dedicated to St. Finan. Ancient records, like the Annals of Inishfallen, tell us about people buried here. For example, a holy person named Amchad, who was known as an "anchorite of God" (someone who lives alone for religious reasons), was buried on Inis Uasal in the year 1058. These islands were once very important spiritual places.
Fishing in Lough Currane
Lough Currane is very famous among people who love to fish. It's known as one of the best places in Ireland for fly fishing.
Salmon and Sea Trout
The lake is especially popular for catching two types of fish:
- Salmon: Many salmon swim into the lake from the sea. Anglers can catch both "spring salmon" (which arrive earlier in the year) and "grilse" (younger salmon that return to freshwater after only one winter at sea).
- Sea Trout: Lough Currane is also famous for its large sea trout. Some of these fish can weigh over 4.5 kilograms (10 pounds)! From June onwards, the lake is full of smaller sea trout. These are often called 'Juners' by local fishermen. They are similar to a type of young sea trout found in Scotland called Finnock.
Fishing here is a popular activity that brings many visitors to the area. It helps keep the lake's ecosystem healthy and supports local tourism.
