Lough Rea

Not to be confused with Lough Ree.

Lough Rea (Irish: Loch Riach, lit. 'speckled lake'),^[2] also Loughrea Lake, is a lake in Ireland, located south of Loughrea, County Galway.^[3]

Lough Rea
Loch Riach (Irish)
Aerial view over Loughrea town towards the lake.
Lough Rea Location in County Galway
Location	County Galway, Ireland
Coordinates	53.189684°N 8.576302°W / 53.189684; -8.576302
Lake type	natural freshwater lough
Primary outflows	Loughrea River Town Moat
Basin countries	Ireland
Max. length	2.61 km (1.62 mi)
Max. width	1.68 km (1.04 mi)
Surface area	3.01 km2 (740 acres)
Surface elevation	81 m (266 ft)
Islands	Ash Island, Shore Island, Blake's Island, Barrack Island, Middle Island, Long Island, Switch Island, Stone Island North, Stone Islands South, Island McCoo
Settlements	Loughrea
References	[1]

Wildlife

Lough Rea is stocked with three-spined stickleback, ninespine stickleback, eel, perch, brown trout, rudd and pike.^[4]

In folklore

In the tradition of other Dindsenchas myths, according to Irish tradition, Lough Rea was formed after a battle fought between pre-Christian deities, who took the form of deer. The force of their battle causing a well to burst and the lake to form.^[5]

Another popular piece of folklore says that there was once a town where the lake is today, but the town was submerged underneath the water.^{[citation needed]}

See also

• List of loughs in Ireland