Lough Neagh

Lough Neagh is a large freshwater lake in Northern Ireland. It is the biggest lake on the island of Ireland and in the British Isles. The lake covers an area of 148 square miles and stretches about 19 miles long and 9 miles wide.

The lake provides drinking water for many people in Northern Ireland. Rivers such as the Upper River Bann and Blackwater flow into Lough Neagh, while the Lower Bann drains out of it. There are also several small islands in the lake, like Ram's Island, Coney Island, and Derrywarragh Island.

The lake's name comes from the Irish language, meaning "Eachaidh's lake". The lake has faced some pollution recently.

Geography

Lough Neagh is the largest lake in the British Isles. It covers 148 square miles (383 km²). The lake is 20 miles (32 km) west of Belfast. It is about 19 miles (31 km) long and 9 miles (14 km) wide.

The lake is shallow near the edges. It is about 30 feet (9 m) deep on average. The deepest point is about 80 feet (24 m) deep.

Water from much of Northern Ireland flows into the lake. The lake sends water to the sea through the River Bann. Several rivers feed Lough Neagh. These include the Main, Six Mile Water, Upper Bann, Blackwater, Ballinderry, and Moyola.

Sadly, the lake has had problems with harmful algae. This is mostly from runoff from farms.

Management

Lough Neagh is cared for by a group called the Lough Neagh Partnership Ltd. This group has local leaders, landowners, fishers, traders, and community members. They work together to protect the lake, share its benefits, and make sure it can be used in a way that is good for everyone.

Uses

Lough Neagh is used for many fun and useful things, but it can get very rough when the wind blows.

Water supply

Lough Neagh gives a lot of drinking water for Northern Ireland. There have been ideas to get even more water from the lake, but these plans haven't happened yet.

Navigation

In the past, people used special boats on Lough Neagh to travel and carry goods. Today, there are fewer of these boats, but some people are working to bring them back. There were also canals that connected the lake to other places, but most of them are not used anymore.

Lough Neagh Rescue helps with safety on the lake, working with trained volunteers.

Bird watching

Many bird lovers visit Lough Neagh to see the many different birds that live there.

Flora

The area around Lough Neagh has many different plants and small water plants.

Fishing

Lough Neagh is famous for its eels, which travel a long way from the ocean to the lake. These eels are important and are protected by law. The lake also has other fish like trout, salmon, and perch.

Human history

The English name for Lough Neagh comes from the Irish name Loch nEachach, meaning 'Eachaidh's lake'. When the English settled in Ulster, they tried to rename it but the old name stayed.

Old Irish stories explain the lake’s name and how it formed. One story says the lake is named after a person called Echaid. Another story says Ireland’s famous giant Fionn mac Cumhaill threw a piece of earth into the sea, making the Isle of Man, and the hole left behind filled with water.

In the year 839, Vikings used the lake for their ships during the winter. Later, an Englishman named Sir Hugh Clotworthy was given responsibility for keeping boats on the lake. Over time, a nobleman named Sir Arthur Chichester claimed ownership of the lake and its fishing rights. Today, the lake is still owned by a member of the Shaftesbury family.

Algal bloom crises

Lough Neagh had big blue-green algae problems in the summers of 2023 and 2024. These algae blooms were so large that they could be seen from space. They can harm animals like birds and fish.

The algae grow because the lake has too many nutrients like phosphorus and nitrates, mostly from farming runoff and sewage. Warmer summers and the lake's shallow depth also help the algae grow. Leaders in Northern Ireland agreed on plans to help the lake.