Lough Leane facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Lough Leane |
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 Lough Leane
Location in Ireland
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| Location | Killarney, County Kerry |
| Coordinates | 52°2′30″N 9°33′0″W / 52.04167°N 9.55000°W |
| Basin countries | Ireland |
| Surface area | 4,700 acres (19 km2) |
| Islands | Innisfallen Island |
Lough Leane is the biggest of the three beautiful Lakes of Killarney in County Kerry, Ireland. Its name means "lake of learning." The River Laune flows from this lake. It then travels into Dingle Bay to the northwest.
Contents
The Name and Its History
The name "Lough Leane" means "lake of learning." This name probably comes from the old monastery on Innisfallen Island. This island is located right in the lake.
Innisfallen Island: A Center of Learning
Innisfallen was a very important place for learning long ago. This was during the early Middle Ages. Scholars there created the famous Annals of Innisfallen. These are old records of Irish history. Legend also says that Brian Boru, a famous Irish king, was educated there.
Ross Castle and Ancient Mining
Another historic spot is Ross Castle. This old tower house sits on Ross Island in the lake. Ross Island is very rich in copper. People have been mining copper there for a very long time. Evidence shows that the Bronze Age Beaker People mined copper on the island. This was thousands of years ago.
Exploring Lough Leane's Geography
Lough Leane covers about 19 square kilometers (or 4,700 acres). It is the largest body of fresh water in the area. The lake is a popular spot for visitors.
Water Quality and Pollution Concerns
Sadly, Lough Leane has faced some pollution. This is mainly from phosphates. These chemicals come from farms and homes. They enter the lake through the Lough Leane Reedbed. This reedbed is an important natural area.
When too many nutrients like phosphates enter a lake, it can become eutrophic. This means it has too many nutrients. This has caused algal blooms in recent years. Algal blooms are when tiny water plants grow very fast. So far, these blooms have not badly harmed the lake's plants and animals.
Protecting the Lake's Future
People are working to keep the lake healthy. They are looking at how land is used around the lake. This helps control what flows into the water. Since 1985, phosphates have been removed from sewage. This has helped improve the lake's water quality.
Many hotels and businesses near the lake are also helping. Since 2007, they have stopped using detergents with phosphates. This is a big step to protect the lake's clean water.
Fun Activities on the Lake
Tourists can enjoy boat trips on Lough Leane. These cruises often leave from Ross Castle. You can also rent boats to visit Innisfallen Island. It is a great way to see the lake and its history up close.
Amazing Wildlife of Lough Leane
Lough Leane is home to some special fish. Two of these are very rare. They are even considered critically endangered. This means they are at high risk of disappearing forever.
Unique Fish Species
One of these rare fish is the blunt-snouted Irish char (Salvelinus obtusus). The other is the Killarney shad (Alosa killarnensis). Protecting Lough Leane helps these unique fish survive.
