Lough Ennell facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Lough EnnellLoch Ainninn |
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Looking northwest
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 Location in island of Ireland
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| Location | Westmeath |
| Coordinates | 53°27′N 7°25′W / 53.450°N 7.417°W |
| Lake type | glacial lake |
| Primary inflows | River Brosna |
| Primary outflows | River Brosna |
| Catchment area | 117.62 km2 (45.41 sq mi) |
| Basin countries | Ireland |
| Max. length | 6.5 km (4.0 mi) |
| Max. width | 2 km (1.2 mi) |
| Surface area | 11.56 km2 (4.46 sq mi) |
| Max. depth | 30 m (98 ft) |
| Surface elevation | 81 m (266 ft) |
| Designated: | 7 June 1996 |
| Reference #: | 848 |
Lough Ennell (which means Loch Ainninn in Irish) is a beautiful lake located near the town of Mullingar in County Westmeath, Ireland. You can find it right next to the N52 road, just off the main road between Mullingar and Kilbeggan.
This lake is very important for nature, so it's part of the Lough Ennell Special Protection Area. This means it's a special place where birds and other wildlife are protected. Lough Ennell is about 6.5 kilometers (4 miles) long and 2 kilometers (1.2 miles) wide, covering an area of about 12 square kilometers (4.6 square miles).
Much of the lake is quite shallow. Almost half of it is less than 3 meters (10 feet) deep. A cool fact about Lough Ennell is that it's where the biggest ever lake brown trout in Ireland was caught, weighing an amazing 11.8 kilograms (26 pounds)! The lake also has many small islands. Over time, some of these islands have even connected to the shoreline as the water levels have changed.
The main river that flows into Lough Ennell is the River Brosna. It enters the lake on the Mullingar side and then flows out on the opposite side at a place called Lilliput.
Lilliput and a house there called Lilliput House were often used by the famous writer Jonathan Swift as a holiday home and a quiet place to write. Local stories say that Swift was in a boat on the lake when he looked back at Lilliput. He noticed how small the people looked from that distance, and this gave him the idea for his most famous book, Gulliver's Travels. At that time, Lilliput was actually called "Nure." But after Gulliver's Travels became popular, local people started calling the lakeshore Lilliput, and the name has stuck ever since!
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What's in a Name?
The name Lough Ennell, or Loch Ainninn in Irish, has an interesting history. Old stories say that Lough Ennell and another nearby lake, Lough Owel, got their names from two brothers, Ainninn and Uair. These brothers were sons of the Kings of the Fir Bolg, an ancient group of people in Ireland. The story goes that Ainninn and Uair died at their respective lakes, and so the lakes were named after them.
Over many years, the name Loch Ainninn changed to sound more English, becoming Lough Inill. On old maps, you might see it written as Lough Ennell, Lough Enyn, or Lough Enyll. Later, when the Rochfort family became the Lords of Belvedere, they even tried to change the lake's name to Lake Belvedere, but that name didn't last!
Fun Things to Do
Lough Ennell is a great place for outdoor activities! Along the lake, you can find a caravan and camping park, places to rent boats, hotels, and restaurants. There's also a fishing area.
Belvedere House is another popular spot near the lake. It's managed by the local council and hosts many fun events throughout the year, like concerts and triathlons. It's a beautiful place to explore!
Fishing at Lough Ennell
The Lough Ennell fishery is part of a group of waters managed by the Shannon Regional Fisheries Board. The main types of fish you can catch here are brown trout and pike.
Recently, people have noticed that the number of fish in the lake might be going down. In 2019, the Environmental Protection Agency said that the water quality at Lilliput beach on the Lough was "poor." This means it's important to keep an eye on the lake's health.
Sports and Activities
Lough Ennell is a popular spot for different sports:
- The Westmeath County Council has made a rule that you can't use jet skis on the lake. This rule started in October 2006, but it doesn't apply to speed boats.
- The Mullingar Golf Club, a local golf course, is located on the north-east shore of the lake.
- The lake also hosts exciting Triathlons (races that combine swimming, cycling, and running) at both Lilliput and Belvedere.
Gallery
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October 2004
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Northeastern shore
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Early morning Summer sunrise
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March 2007
Images for kids
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July 2021
