Lough Corrib (Irish: Loch Coirib) is a lake in the west of Ireland. The River Corrib/Galway river connects the lake to the sea at Galway. It is the second largest loch in Ireland (after Lough Neagh). It covers some 165.6km².
William Wilde, father of Oscar Wilde wrote a book about the lake, first published in 1867. He built a summerhouse on the banks of the lake, called Moytura House.
The first canal in Ireland was cut in the 12th century. Known as the Friar's Cut, it allowed boats to pass from Lough Corrib to the sea at Galway.
As well as being an internationally recognised attraction for tourists and fisherman alike, Lough Corrib has recently become more famous for its many unwelcome visitors. In early 2007, large numbers of the protozoan parasite Cryptosporidium were detected in water from the lake, leading to contamination of the public water supply in Galway city, and an outbreak of cryptosporidiosis. Another unwelcome visitor is the highly invasive species Lagarosiphon major (also known as "Curly Waterweed") which is destroying fish habitat. Another invasive species is the Zebra Mussel.
Lough Corrib was designated a Ramsar site on June 16, 1996.
Name
Loch Coirib is a corruption of Loch nOirbsean, which according to placename lore is named after the Tuatha Dé Danann figure Orbsiu Mac Alloid (commonly called Manannán Mac Lir). In Irish the loch is also called An Choirib ("the Corrib").
Cryptosporidium outbreak
On the 21st of March, 2007, Cryptosporidium was confirmed to be present in the drinking water of Galway City, Moycullen, Oughterard and Headford, which had been instructed six days earlier to boil their water before drinking. The water, taken from Lough Corrib, was likely contaminated by migration of animal and human faeces. Dick Roche, the Minister of the Environment, announced a further allocation of €48 million to tackle the issue.
Galway City Council announced a one-for-one scheme on the 10th of April, 2007, whereby they would carry the cost of a second bottle of water, if one is purchased. Other measures include upgrading existing water treatment and filtration systems, as well as the projected importing of water from nearby Luimnagh, Tuam, County Galway. This plant at Luimnagh has modern facilities which provide for Cryptosporidium eradication and filtration.
The Community Care Organisation, Cope, delivered bottled water to their elderly clients from the 30th of March 2007. [1]
A lobby group was formed on the 8th of April 2007, to highlight the issue. One aspect of the group is an account on the MySpace social network[2].
Islands
A map taken from the Admiralty Chart made in 1846.
Lough Corrib is reputed to have 365 islands. Most famous of which is Inchagoil Island, which is located midway between Cong and Oughterard, it is one of the largest of the many wooded islands along Lough Corrib. The island has spectacular views of the Maumturk range, Joyce Country and the mountains of Connemara. There are some secluded beaches and enchanting woods with a variety of walks around the island. There is evidence of an early monastic settlement which still mostly remains a mystery. There are two churches remaining, Saint Patrick's and the 12th century church known as the "saints" church. There are several paths around the island, an old cemetery and remains of four or five cottages which housed the few inhabitants on the island. Another noted island is Caislean-na-Circe, located between Maam and Doon. This section of Lough Corrib is free from islands except for the rock on which the ancient Hen's Castle of the O'Connor's and the O'Flaherty's stands. The castle was home of the great pirate Queen of Connemara, Grace O`Malley, who lived in the time of Queen Elizabeth I of England. The Lord Justice, in 1225, caused Odo O'Flatherty to give up Kirk Castle to Odo O'Connor, King of Connaught; for assurance of his fidelity. Castle of the Hen is considered to be the oldest fortress of its kind in Ireland, and it is undoubtedly one of the best built. When first built and well-defended, with good food stores, this castle must have been impregnable. The rocks slope abruptly into the water on all sides. It is only accessible in a few places. The castle is steeped in history and legend.
Cruises
Fishing Boats on Inchiquin island.
From Cong County Mayo Corrib Cruises run cruises on board "The Lady Ardilaun" from Ashford Castle to Inchagoil island and Oughterard. This Cruise takes you on a very scenic voyage. We cruise beautiful Lough Corrib with guided commentary of islands, lake and shoreline. There are also other cruises available from Galway City and Oughterard. From Woodquay in Galway City you can enjoy the relaxed atmosphere of a cruise with us on board the luxurious Corrib Princess. The journey takes passengers along the majestic River Corrib and onto the lake providing visitors with unsurpassed views of the historic monuments and natural amenities that make this the most spectacular waterway in Ireland. The Corrib Princess takes you past castles and various sites of both historical interest and natural beauty. There is an abundance of wild life and the Corrib has a peace and tranquillity all of its own.
Wildlife
There is an abundance of wildlife in Lough Corrib including birds and hawks, otters, mink, stoat, frogs, bats and much more. The “Dawn Chorus” in early spring is spectacular to listen to. Lough Corrib can be divided into two parts: a smaller shallower basin to the south and a larger deeper basin to the north. These two parts are connected by a narrow channel. In the southern and eastern parts of the lake the lake bed is dominated by limestone bedrock covered by deposits of precipitated marl. The surrounding land is mostly pastoral farmland to the south and east and bog to the west and north. In addition to the lake basis, some areas of scientific interest adjoining the lake e.g. woodland, callows grassland and raised bog, have been incorporated into the site.
References
- ^ "Community Catering and Galway Spring Water partner up to deliver clean water to Galway City’s older people". Cope. http://www.cope.ie/CommunityCateringGalwaySpringWaterDeliverytoolderpeopleinGalwayPR.doc.
- ^ "Galway Water Crisis". MySpace. http://www.myspace.com/galwaywatercrisis.
See also
External links
