Lough Iron facts for kids

Lough Iron (which means Loch Iarainn in Irish) is a small, special lake in County Westmeath, Ireland. It's part of the River Inny. This lake is so important for nature that it was named a Ramsar site on June 7, 1996. Ramsar sites are wetlands that are recognized internationally for their importance to wildlife.

Exploring Lough Iron

Lough Iron is a long, narrow lake, stretching about 4 kilometers (about 2.5 miles). It is located downstream from Lough Derravaragh and is also near Lough Owel.

A Home for Wildlife

This lake is a famous place for birds and other wildlife. Many different kinds of animals and plants live here. People also enjoy fishing for coarse fish in its waters.

Changes to the Lake

Since the 1960s, the water level in Lough Iron has dropped a lot. This happened because the River Inny was drained. As the water went down, large parts of the lake bed turned into freshwater marshes. These marshy areas are now important habitats for many species.

Visiting Lough Iron

It's not easy to get to Lough Iron. There are no roads right next to the lake, and no public paths to reach it. The best way to see Lough Iron is by taking a boat trip along the River Inny.

The Story Behind the Name

The name Lough Iron has an interesting story! A local historian named Sir Henry Piers wrote about it in the 1680s.

An Old Legend

According to a traditional story, there was no lake here a long time ago. Instead, there was just a small stream. One day, a farmer was carrying his plow-irons to the forge. He accidentally dropped them into the stream. Because of this, the stream became known as the "Iron-brook." Later, when the water spread out and covered the low ground, it became a lake. So, the name changed to the "Iron-lake."

Tracing the Past

Sir Henry Piers thought this story sounded a bit strange. However, he also wrote that on a clear summer day, you could still see the old river channel. At the northern end of the lake, where the River Inny flows in, you could plainly see the ancient banks of the river. This was visible in about eight to ten feet of water. He and many others saw this, which made the old story seem more believable.