Jump to content

Lough Gill: Difference between revisions

Coordinates: 54°15′N 08°22′W / 54.250°N 8.367°W / 54.250; -8.367
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Browse history interactively
← Previous edit
Content deleted Content added
VisualWikitext
Rescuing 1 sources and tagging 0 as dead. #IABot (v1.6.1)
m Reverted edits by 106.51.31.26 (talk) (HG) (3.4.10)
 
(26 intermediate revisions by 16 users not shown)
Line 1: Line 1:
{{Short description|Lake in County Sligo, Ireland}}
{{For|the lake in County Kerry|Lough Gill (Kerry)}}
{{For|the lake in County Kerry|Lough Gill (Kerry)}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=October 2020}}
⚫
{{Infobox lake
{{Use Irish English|date=October 2020}}
⚫
| name = Lough Gill<br>''Loch Gile''
⚫
{{Infobox body of water
⚫
| name = Lough Gill
| native_name ={{native name|ga|Loch Gile}}
| image = The Lake Isle of Innisfree - geograph.org.uk - 981230.jpg
| image = The Lake Isle of Innisfree - geograph.org.uk - 981230.jpg
| caption = Lake and Innisfree
| caption = Lake and Innisfree
Line 21: Line 25:
| area = {{Convert|12.8|km2|abbr=on}}
| area = {{Convert|12.8|km2|abbr=on}}
| depth =
| depth =
| max-depth = {{convert|31|m|abbr=on}}<ref>http://www.wfdfish.ie/wp-content/uploads/2010/05/gill_report_2008.pdf</ref>
| max-depth = {{convert|31|m|abbr=on}}<ref>{{cite web | url=http://www.wfdfish.ie/wp-content/uploads/2010/05/gill_report_2008.pdf | title=Lough Gill - Sampling Fish for the Water Framework Directive - Lakes 2008 | publisher=The Central and Regional Fisheries Boards | access-date=4 October 2020 | archive-date=16 November 2017 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171116190848/http://www.wfdfish.ie/wp-content/uploads/2010/05/gill_report_2008.pdf | url-status=live }}</ref>
| volume =
| volume =
| residence_time =
| residence_time =
Line 32: Line 36:
}}
}}


'''Lough Gill''' {{lang-ga | Loch Gile}} meaning bright or radiant lake is a freshwater [[lough]] ([[lake]]) mainly situated in [[County Sligo]], but partly in [[County Leitrim]], in [[Republic of Ireland|Ireland]]. The lake is mentioned in the poetry of [[William Butler Yeats|W. B. Yeats]].
'''Lough Gill''' ({{Irish place name|Loch Gile|bright or white lake}})<ref name=logainm>{{cite web | url = https://www.logainm.ie/en/112066 | title = Loch Gile/Lough Gill | work = Placenames Database of Ireland | publisher = [[Department of Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht|Government of Ireland - Department of Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht]] and [[Dublin City University]] | access-date = 8 July 2018 | archive-date = 8 July 2018 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20180708044854/https://www.logainm.ie/en/112066 | url-status = live }}</ref> is a freshwater [[lough]] ([[lake]]) mainly situated in [[County Sligo]], but partly in [[County Leitrim]], in [[Republic of Ireland|Ireland]]. Lough Gill provides the setting for [[William Butler Yeats]]' poem "[[The Lake Isle of Innisfree]]".

Lough Gill and the district of Calry adjoining it is famous for its beautiful scenery.


==Location and environment==
==Location and environment==
Line 41: Line 43:
The picturesque lake is surrounded by woodlands, such as Slish Wood, Dooney Rock, and [[Hazelwood, County Sligo|Hazelwood]] all of which contain popular nature trails and viewing points along the lake. The wooded hills of Slieve Killery and Slieve Daean dominate the south shore.
The picturesque lake is surrounded by woodlands, such as Slish Wood, Dooney Rock, and [[Hazelwood, County Sligo|Hazelwood]] all of which contain popular nature trails and viewing points along the lake. The wooded hills of Slieve Killery and Slieve Daean dominate the south shore.


It is a popular location for [[birdwatching|birdwatchers]].<ref name=tour>[http://www.loughgilltours.com/loughgill/], Lough Gill Tours</ref>
It is a popular location for [[birdwatching|birdwatchers]].<ref name="tour">[http://www.loughgilltours.com/loughgill/] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131226141851/http://www.loughgilltours.com/loughgill/|date=2013-12-26}}, Lough Gill Tours</ref>


===Flora and fauna===
===Flora and fauna===
Lough Gill has a unique micro climate and is noted for the high number of rare or scarce animal and plant species. It is a candidate SAC (Area of Special Conservation) for three habitats listed on Annex I of the E.U. Habitats Directive, including one with priority status including, old oak woodlands, alluvial forest, and the naturally eutrophic lake, all habitats listed in the EU Habitats Directive.
Lough Gill has a unique microclimate and is noted for its high number of rare or scarce animal and plant species. It is part of the Lough Gill SAC (Special Area of Conservation) for habitats listed on Annex I and II of the E.U. Habitats Directive, including two with priority status: alluvial forest, orchid-rich calcareous grassland.<ref name=NPWS>{{cite web | url = https://www.npws.ie/sites/default/files/protected-sites/synopsis/SY001976.pdf | title = Lough Gill SAC | date = 19 December 2016 | publisher = [[National Parks and Wildlife Service (Ireland)]] | access-date = 8 January 2018 | archive-date = 15 November 2017 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20171115062208/https://www.npws.ie/sites/default/files/protected-sites/synopsis/SY001976.pdf | url-status = live }}</ref>


⚫
The vegetation of the area was dominated by mixed woodland from 4,600 BC to at least 1400 AD. Scots pine was dominant until 3,400 BC. In a scientific study, ''[[Arbutus unedo]]'' pollen was found at Slish Lake dating from as early as 100 AD, and so it is considered native to this area.<ref>{{cite journal|doi=10.1111/j.1502-3885.1987.tb00762.x | volume=16 | title=A history of vegetation and fire, 6,600 B.P. to present, County Sligo, western Ireland | journal=Boreas | pages=113–123 | last1 = Dodson | first1 = John R.| year=2008 | issue=2 }}</ref>
The Lough Gill water system gets a very early run of spring salmon.


⚫
The woods surrounding the lake are dominated by oak (''[[Quercus]]'' spp.), rowan (''[[Sorbus aucuparia]]'') and willows (''[[Salix]]'' spp.). The shores of the lake are home to the world's northernmost specimens of the rare Mediterranean strawberry tree (''Arbutus unedo'').<ref name=NPWS/> It is a small evergreen tree of the family [[Ericaceae]], which in Ireland can grow to be a forest tree, reaching heights of up to 15 metres. Its Irish name is ''caithne''.
The vegetation of the area was dominated by mixed woodland from 4,600 BC to at least 1400 AD. Scots pine was dominant until 3,400 BC.
⚫
In a scientific study, ''[[Arbutus unedo]]'' pollen was found at Slish Lake dating from as early as 100 AD, and so it is considered native to this area.<ref>{{cite journal|doi=10.1111/j.1502-3885.1987.tb00762.x | volume=16 | title=A history of vegetation and fire, 6,600 B.P. to present, County Sligo, western Ireland | journal=Boreas | pages=113–123 | last1 = Dodson | first1 = John R.}}</ref>


⚫
The lake shore and surroundings support several rare plant species, including yellow bird's-nest (''[[Monotropa hypopitys]]''), lady's mantle (''[[Alchemilla glaucescens]]''), ivy broomrape (''[[Orobanche hederae]]''), black bryony (''[[Tamus communis]]''), intermediate wintergreen (''[[Pyrola media]]'') and bird's-nest orchid (''[[Neottia nidus-avis]]'').<ref name=NPWS/>
⚫
The woods surrounding the lake are dominated by oak (''[[Quercus]]'' spp.), rowan (''[[Sorbus aucuparia]]'') and willows (''[[Salix]]'' spp.).The shores of the lake are home to the northernmost specimens of the rare Mediterranean strawberry tree (''[[Arbutus unedo]]'') in the world. It is a small evergreen tree of the family [[Ericaceae]], which in Ireland can grow to be a forest tree, reaching heights of up to 15 metres. Its Irish name is ''caithne''.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.npws.ie/media/npwsie/content/images/protectedsites/sitesynopsis/SY001976.pdf |title=Archived copy |accessdate=2014-04-04 |deadurl=yes |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20140407081625/http://www.npws.ie/media/npwsie/content/images/protectedsites/sitesynopsis/SY001976.pdf |archivedate=2014-04-07 |df= }}</ref>


⚫
It is also home to the following rare or protected species: [[sea lamprey]], [[European river lamprey|river lamprey]], [[brook lamprey]], [[white-clawed crayfish]], [[Atlantic salmon]] and [[Eurasian otter|otter]]. The Lough Gill water system gets a very early run of spring salmon.<ref name=NPWS/>
⚫
The lake shore supports several rare plant species, including yellow bird's-nest (''[[Monotropa hypopitys]]''), lady’s mantle (''[[Alchemilla glaucescens]]''), ivy broomrape (''[[Orobanche hederae]]''), black bryony (''[[Tamus communis]]''), intermediate wintergreen (''[[Pyrola media]]'') and bird's-nest orchid (''[[Neottia nidus-avis]]'').


⚫
A small colony of [[common tern]]s breed on the lake's islands (20 pairs in 1993). [[Common Kingfishers|Kingfishers]] are also found on the lake.<ref name=NPWS/>
⚫
It is also home to the following rare or protected species, [[sea lamprey]], [[European river lamprey|river lamprey]], [[brook lamprey]], [[white-clawed crayfish]], [[Atlantic salmon]] and [[Eurasian otter|otter]].

⚫
A small colony of [[common tern]]s breed on the lakes islands (20 pairs in 1993). [[Common Kingfishers|Kingfishers]] are also found on the lake.


===Islands===
===Islands===
The lake contains about 20 small islands, including the Isle of [[Lake Isle of Innisfree|Innisfree]], made famous by [[William Butler Yeats|W. B. Yeats]],<ref name=tour /> [[Church Island (Lough Gill)|Church Island]], and Beezie's Island, which was inhabited until 1951.
The lake contains about 20 small islands, including the Isle of Innisfree, made famous by [[William Butler Yeats]]'s poem titled '[[The Lake Isle of Innisfree]]'.<ref name=tour /> There are other islands on the lake such as [[Church Island (Lough Gill)|Church Island]], which is home to the ruins of a 6th century [[abbey]] founded by [[Saint]] [[Lommán of Trim]]. Another notable island is Cottage island or Beezie's Island, which was inhabited until 1949.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2021-11-11 |title=The "Lady of the Lake": Beezie and her island |url=https://irishheritagenews.ie/lady-of-the-lake-beezie-and-her-island/ |access-date=2024-08-04 |language=en-GB}}</ref>


==History==
==History==
[[File:Beezie's Island.jpg|right|254px|Beezie's Island, Lough Gill]]
[[File:Beezie's Island.jpg|thumb|right|254px|Cottage island, also known as Beezie's Island, Lough Gill, Co. Sligo]]


In 1836 Thomas O'Connor of the [[Ordnance Survey]] noted a saying amongst the people that went "[[Connacht]] is the Grianán of Ireland, [[Cairbre Drom Cliabh|Cairbre]] is the Grianán of Connacht, [[Cálraighe|Calry]] is the Grianán of Cairbre and the Hill is the Grianán of Calgaich".<ref>http://www.mocavo.com/The-History-of-Sligo-Town-and-County-Volume-1-2/677686/521</ref> Gríanán is a word meaning literally "sunny place" and implies a place of great natural beauty. The hill of Grianán is at the eastern shore of Lough Gill.
In 1836 Thomas O'Connor of the [[Ordnance Survey]] noted a saying amongst the people that went "[[Connacht]] is the Grianán of Ireland, [[Cairbre Drom Cliabh|Cairbre]] is the Grianán of Connacht, [[Cálraighe|Calry]] is the Grianán of Cairbre and the Hill is the Grianán of Calgaich".<ref>{{cite web | title = The History of Sligo: Town and County | url = http://www.mocavo.com/The-History-of-Sligo-Town-and-County-Volume-1-2/677686/521 | publisher = Mocavo | access-date = 2 June 2021 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20160304120526/http://www.mocavo.com/The-History-of-Sligo-Town-and-County-Volume-1-2/677686/521 | archive-date = 4 March 2016}}</ref> Gríanán is a word meaning literally "sunny place" and implies a place of great natural beauty. The hill of Grianán is at the eastern shore of Lough Gill.


In the early historic era (5th-8th centuries), the area was home to a branch of the [[Cálraighe]]. [[Parke's Castle]], a plantation fortified house on the northern shore, was built in the early 17th century by Captain Robert Parke on the site of a former tower house of the [[Kingdom of Breifne|Uí Ruairc]] [[Irish clans|clann]]. The Uí Ruairc clan ruled the area from about the 7th century up to the time of [[Oliver Cromwell]].<ref name="tour" />
In the early historic era (5th-8th centuries), the area was home to a branch of the [[Cálraighe]]. [[Parke's Castle]], a plantation fortified house on the northern shore, was built in the early 17th century by Captain Robert Parke on the site of a former tower house of the [[Kingdom of Breifne|Uí Ruairc]] [[Irish clans|clann]]. The Uí Ruairc clan ruled the area from about the 7th century up to the time of [[Oliver Cromwell]].<ref name="tour" />
Line 80: Line 79:


The Metrical [[Dinnsenchus]] tells the following story of how the lake came to be and how it got its name.
The Metrical [[Dinnsenchus]] tells the following story of how the lake came to be and how it got its name.
<blockquote>

"Bright Gile, Romra's daughter, to whom every harbour was known, the broad lake bears her name to denote its outbreak of yore.
"Bright Gile, Romra's daughter, to whom every harbour was known, the broad lake bears her name to denote its outbreak of yore.<br />
The maiden went, on an errand of pride that has hushed the noble hosts, to bathe in the spray by the clear sand-strewn spring.
The maiden went, on an errand of pride that has hushed the noble hosts, to bathe in the spray by the clear sand-strewn spring.<br />
While the modest maiden was washing in the unruffled water of the pool, she sees on the plain tall Omra as it were an oak, lusty and rude.
While the modest maiden was washing in the unruffled water of the pool, she sees on the plain tall Omra as it were an oak, lusty and rude.<br />
Seeing her lover draw near, the noble maid was stricken with shame: she plunged her head under the spring yonder: the nimble maid was drowned.
Seeing her lover draw near, the noble maid was stricken with shame: she plunged her head under the spring yonder: the nimble maid was drowned.<br />
Her nurse came and bent over her body and sat her down yonder in the spring: as she keened for Gile vehemently, she fell in a frenzy for the girl.
Her nurse came and bent over her body and sat her down yonder in the spring: as she keened for Gile vehemently, she fell in a frenzy for the girl.<br />
As flowed the tears in sore grief for the maiden, the mighty spring rose over her, till it was a vast and stormy lake.
As flowed the tears in sore grief for the maiden, the mighty spring rose over her, till it was a vast and stormy lake.<br />
Loch Gile is named from that encounter after Gile, daughter of Romra: there Omra got his death from stout and lusty Romra.
Loch Gile is named from that encounter after Gile, daughter of Romra: there Omra got his death from stout and lusty Romra.<br />
Romra died outright of his sorrow on the fair hill-side: from him is lordly Carn Romra called, and Carn Omra from Omra, the shame-faced
Romra died outright of his sorrow on the fair hill-side: from him is lordly Carn Romra called, and Carn Omra from Omra, the shame-faced<br />
<br />
[gap: extent: two lines]
Loch Gile here is named from Gile, Romra's daughter."<ref>http://www.ucc.ie/celt/published/T106500D/index.html</ref>
Loch Gile here is named from Gile, Romra's daughter."<ref>{{cite web | title = Loch Gile | url = http://www.ucc.ie/celt/published/T106500D/index.html | publisher = [[University College Cork]] | work = CELT: The Corpus of Electronic Texts | access-date = 2 June 2021 | archive-date = 26 January 2017 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20170126112358/http://www.ucc.ie/celt/published/T106500D/index.html | url-status = live }}</ref>
</blockquote>


Carn Romra and Carn Omra are the names of the two large neolithic cairns on Cairns hill overlooking the lake.
Carn Romra and Carn Omra are the names of the two large neolithic cairns on Cairns hill overlooking the lake.
Line 99: Line 99:
[[File:Tour boat, Lough Gill.jpg|right|254px|Tour boat, Lough Gill]]
[[File:Tour boat, Lough Gill.jpg|right|254px|Tour boat, Lough Gill]]
The lake is home to the Lough Gill 10&nbsp;km Swim for the North West Hospice in Sligo. This annual fundraiser began in 2011 raising over €34,000 to date for the hospice also winning the coveted Irish Long Distance Swimming Association swim of the year in both 2011 and 2012. It is run by a committee made up of local swimmers and friends of the family of Neill McGarry, for whom the event trophy is dedicated. 57 swimmers completed the 2012 swim.{{Citation needed|date=January 2014}}
The lake is home to the Lough Gill 10&nbsp;km Swim for the North West Hospice in Sligo. This annual fundraiser began in 2011 raising over €34,000 to date for the hospice also winning the coveted Irish Long Distance Swimming Association swim of the year in both 2011 and 2012. It is run by a committee made up of local swimmers and friends of the family of Neill McGarry, for whom the event trophy is dedicated. 57 swimmers completed the 2012 swim.{{Citation needed|date=January 2014}}

The first man to successfully swim the [[English Channel]], [[Matthew Webb|Captain Matthew Webb]], used the lake as part of his training for the feat. He was a friend of W.B. Yeats's grandfather, who lived in the area.{{Citation needed|date=January 2014}}


==Gallery==
==Gallery==
Line 122: Line 120:
==External links==
==External links==
* [http://sligowalks.ie/?pagid=slish-wood&menu1_topicid=0&menu2_topicid=forest-walks ''Sligo Walks'' (Slish Wood)]
* [http://sligowalks.ie/?pagid=slish-wood&menu1_topicid=0&menu2_topicid=forest-walks ''Sligo Walks'' (Slish Wood)]
* [http://www.irishtimes.com/newspaper/ireland/2012/0614/1224317879099.html ''McDonagh, Marese. '''Irish Times''', "Poetry in motion on Yeats Day boat trip", June 14th 2012'']
* [http://www.irishtimes.com/newspaper/ireland/2012/0614/1224317879099.html McDonagh, Marese. ''Irish Times'', "Poetry in motion on Yeats Day boat trip", 14 June 2012]


{{DEFAULTSORT:Gill}}
⚫
[[Category:Loughs of County Sligo|Gill]]
[[Category:Loughs of County Leitrim|Gill]]
[[Category:Lakes of County Sligo]]
⚫
[[Category:Lakes of County Leitrim]]

Latest revision as of 13:18, 20 August 2024

For the lake in County Kerry, see Lough Gill (Kerry).

Lough Gill
Loch Gile (Irish)
Lake and Innisfree
Lough Gill location in Ireland
Lough Gill location in Ireland
Location in Ireland
LocationCounty Sligo & County Leitrim, Ireland
Coordinates54°15′N 08°22′W / 54.250°N 8.367°W / 54.250; -8.367
Primary inflowsBonet River
Primary outflowsRiver Garavogue
Basin countriesIreland
Max. length8 km (5.0 mi)
Max. width2 km (1.2 mi)
Surface area12.8 km2 (4.9 sq mi)
Max. depth31 m (102 ft)[1]
Surface elevation7 m (23 ft)
Islands~20, including Church Island
SettlementsSligo

Lough Gill (Irish: Loch Gile, meaning 'bright or white lake')[2] is a freshwater lough (lake) mainly situated in County Sligo, but partly in County Leitrim, in Ireland. Lough Gill provides the setting for William Butler Yeats' poem "The Lake Isle of Innisfree".

Location and environment

[edit]

Lough Gill is about 8 km or 5 miles long and 2 km or 1 mile wide. The Lough Gill system consists of the river Bonet that flows into the eastern end of the lake and the River Garavogue which drains the lake to the west near Sligo Town.

The picturesque lake is surrounded by woodlands, such as Slish Wood, Dooney Rock, and Hazelwood all of which contain popular nature trails and viewing points along the lake. The wooded hills of Slieve Killery and Slieve Daean dominate the south shore.

It is a popular location for birdwatchers.[3]

Flora and fauna

[edit]

Lough Gill has a unique microclimate and is noted for its high number of rare or scarce animal and plant species. It is part of the Lough Gill SAC (Special Area of Conservation) for habitats listed on Annex I and II of the E.U. Habitats Directive, including two with priority status: alluvial forest, orchid-rich calcareous grassland.[4]

The vegetation of the area was dominated by mixed woodland from 4,600 BC to at least 1400 AD. Scots pine was dominant until 3,400 BC. In a scientific study, Arbutus unedo pollen was found at Slish Lake dating from as early as 100 AD, and so it is considered native to this area.[5]

The woods surrounding the lake are dominated by oak (Quercus spp.), rowan (Sorbus aucuparia) and willows (Salix spp.). The shores of the lake are home to the world's northernmost specimens of the rare Mediterranean strawberry tree (Arbutus unedo).[4] It is a small evergreen tree of the family Ericaceae, which in Ireland can grow to be a forest tree, reaching heights of up to 15 metres. Its Irish name is caithne.

The lake shore and surroundings support several rare plant species, including yellow bird's-nest (Monotropa hypopitys), lady's mantle (Alchemilla glaucescens), ivy broomrape (Orobanche hederae), black bryony (Tamus communis), intermediate wintergreen (Pyrola media) and bird's-nest orchid (Neottia nidus-avis).[4]

It is also home to the following rare or protected species: sea lamprey, river lamprey, brook lamprey, white-clawed crayfish, Atlantic salmon and otter. The Lough Gill water system gets a very early run of spring salmon.[4]

A small colony of common terns breed on the lake's islands (20 pairs in 1993). Kingfishers are also found on the lake.[4]

Islands

[edit]

The lake contains about 20 small islands, including the Isle of Innisfree, made famous by William Butler Yeats's poem titled 'The Lake Isle of Innisfree'.[3] There are other islands on the lake such as Church Island, which is home to the ruins of a 6th century abbey founded by Saint Lommán of Trim. Another notable island is Cottage island or Beezie's Island, which was inhabited until 1949.[6]

History

[edit]
Cottage island, also known as Beezie's Island, Lough Gill, Co. Sligo

In 1836 Thomas O'Connor of the Ordnance Survey noted a saying amongst the people that went "Connacht is the Grianán of Ireland, Cairbre is the Grianán of Connacht, Calry is the Grianán of Cairbre and the Hill is the Grianán of Calgaich".[7] Gríanán is a word meaning literally "sunny place" and implies a place of great natural beauty. The hill of Grianán is at the eastern shore of Lough Gill.

In the early historic era (5th-8th centuries), the area was home to a branch of the Cálraighe. Parke's Castle, a plantation fortified house on the northern shore, was built in the early 17th century by Captain Robert Parke on the site of a former tower house of the Uí Ruairc clann. The Uí Ruairc clan ruled the area from about the 7th century up to the time of Oliver Cromwell.[3]

Annal entries

[edit]

In 1196 - Congalach, the son of Farrell O'Rourke, was slain by the men of Lúighne, on Slieve-da-én (Mountain of the Two Birds).

1346 - A war broke out between O'Rourke, i.e. Ualgarg, and Rory, the son of Cathal O'Conor; and an engagement took place between them in Calry-Lough-Gill, in which O'Rourke was routed, and all his gallowglasses slain, i.e. Mac Buirrce, and Mac Neill Cam with their people. O'Rourke was afterwards pursued by Rory O'Conor and the Clann-Donough, and was killed by Mulrony Mac Donough. This was a lamentable deed.

Recent history

[edit]

The lake became part of the Hazelwood estate in the 17th century.

Mythology

[edit]

The Metrical Dinnsenchus tells the following story of how the lake came to be and how it got its name.

"Bright Gile, Romra's daughter, to whom every harbour was known, the broad lake bears her name to denote its outbreak of yore.
The maiden went, on an errand of pride that has hushed the noble hosts, to bathe in the spray by the clear sand-strewn spring.
While the modest maiden was washing in the unruffled water of the pool, she sees on the plain tall Omra as it were an oak, lusty and rude.
Seeing her lover draw near, the noble maid was stricken with shame: she plunged her head under the spring yonder: the nimble maid was drowned.
Her nurse came and bent over her body and sat her down yonder in the spring: as she keened for Gile vehemently, she fell in a frenzy for the girl.
As flowed the tears in sore grief for the maiden, the mighty spring rose over her, till it was a vast and stormy lake.
Loch Gile is named from that encounter after Gile, daughter of Romra: there Omra got his death from stout and lusty Romra.
Romra died outright of his sorrow on the fair hill-side: from him is lordly Carn Romra called, and Carn Omra from Omra, the shame-faced

Loch Gile here is named from Gile, Romra's daughter."[8]

Carn Romra and Carn Omra are the names of the two large neolithic cairns on Cairns hill overlooking the lake.

Sliabh Dhá Éan is also associated with myth.

Amenities and events

[edit]
Tour boat, Lough Gill
Tour boat, Lough Gill

The lake is home to the Lough Gill 10 km Swim for the North West Hospice in Sligo. This annual fundraiser began in 2011 raising over €34,000 to date for the hospice also winning the coveted Irish Long Distance Swimming Association swim of the year in both 2011 and 2012. It is run by a committee made up of local swimmers and friends of the family of Neill McGarry, for whom the event trophy is dedicated. 57 swimmers completed the 2012 swim.[citation needed]

[edit]
  • Innisfree
    Innisfree
  • Parke's Castle and Lough Gill
    Parke's Castle and Lough Gill
  • Green Island, Lough Gill, with Kilkenny Mountain in background
    Green Island, Lough Gill, with Kilkenny Mountain in background
  • Lough Gill, circa 1900
    Lough Gill, circa 1900
  • Slish Wood forest trail
    Slish Wood forest trail

See also

[edit]

References

[edit]
  1. ^ "Lough Gill - Sampling Fish for the Water Framework Directive - Lakes 2008" (PDF). The Central and Regional Fisheries Boards. Archived (PDF) from the original on 16 November 2017. Retrieved 4 October 2020.
  2. ^ "Loch Gile/Lough Gill". Placenames Database of Ireland. Government of Ireland - Department of Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht and Dublin City University. Archived from the original on 8 July 2018. Retrieved 8 July 2018.
  3. ^ a b c [1] Archived 2013-12-26 at the Wayback Machine, Lough Gill Tours
  4. ^ a b c d e "Lough Gill SAC" (PDF). National Parks and Wildlife Service (Ireland). 19 December 2016. Archived (PDF) from the original on 15 November 2017. Retrieved 8 January 2018.
  5. ^ Dodson, John R. (2008). "A history of vegetation and fire, 6,600 B.P. to present, County Sligo, western Ireland". Boreas. 16 (2): 113–123. doi:10.1111/j.1502-3885.1987.tb00762.x.
  6. ^ "The "Lady of the Lake": Beezie and her island". 11 November 2021. Retrieved 4 August 2024.
  7. ^ "The History of Sligo: Town and County". Mocavo. Archived from the original on 4 March 2016. Retrieved 2 June 2021.
  8. ^ "Loch Gile". CELT: The Corpus of Electronic Texts. University College Cork. Archived from the original on 26 January 2017. Retrieved 2 June 2021.
[edit]
Retrieved from "https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Lough_Gill&oldid=1241303880"