LOUGH DERG
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Lough Derg is the largest lake on the longest river in Ireland (the Shannon), and with its wooded isles, rocky bays and tree-lined shores is an enchanting place. The lake is about thirty miles long and is three miles across at its widest point. Four counties, Galway, Clare, Tipperary and Limerick, border it. Portumna and Killaloe are picturesquely situated at its northern and southern ends, respectively. In between there are lovely villages and towns steeped in history. The lake contains approximately 13,000 hectares of non-tidal waters and extends 38.6 kilometres from Portumna to Killaloe. It is about 13 kilometres at its widest and is 36 metres at its deepest. Three counties border Lough Derg, Galway, Clare and Tipperary.
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LARGEST PIKE
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When a twenty or thirty pound pike is landed the occasion is often remembered with pride. However, In 1796 a 72-pound pike is reputed to have been caught on Lough Derg. Reference to this fish is made in the Guinness Book of Records.
The Cork Examiner on Monday 19 May 1862 stated that Mr Patrick Sheehy and Mr John Norton caught a pike weighing 90½ lbs (41 kg), near Derry Castle. The fish was five feet eight inches in length. The bait used to catch this world record pike was a common brass shoe lift trailed behind a boat. |
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RENT A BOAT
We offer rowing boats, fishing boats with outboard engine and pedal boats. Call +35386087 49 710
LOUGH DERG HISTORY
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The lake derives its name from an ancient Irish legend. Lough Derg, which means the Lake of the Red Eye reminds us of the influence of poets in ancient Ireland and the merciless way they exercised that power. A king, living near here had but one eye. His name was Eochy Mac Luchta and he lost one eye in a battle. Aithirne a famous poet visited him and when leaving he asked him for the other eye. The King immediately plucked it out and gave it to him. While washing the blood from his face the lake turned red. The King said, “let the lake be called Loch Dergdheirc, meaning ‘the lake of the bloody eye’, and so it is to this day. In bygone years the lake was a thriving and prosperous waterway with barges and cargo ships plying trade up and down.
This was at a time when the Shannon and the canals were the main thoroughfares for the transport of freight to a large portion of the country. With the advancement of better roads, the waterways lost their importance and traffic dwindled to nothing. |
The Shannon and Lough Derg have again come to life with the increased interest in fishing and boating holidays. The region is now a major holiday center and modern facilities exist for boat users. Several companies hire out large cruisers while small boats with engines can be hired. It is an ideal place in which to spend a quiet, peaceful and relaxed holiday, away from the cares of business and worries and tensions of every-day living.
Pollution has been a problem in the past but it is now under control and the fishing will undoubtedly improve in the coming years. Many fresh- water species of fish are to be found such as pike, trout, perch, bream, eels, rudd, tench and rudd/bream hybrids. In depth the lake ranges from the rocky shallows of the ‘middle ground’ in the center of Scariff bay where there is only a couple of feet of water to over 120 feet off Parkers point. Large areas are from eight to twenty five feet, the normal fishing depth. There are very few places on Lough Derg where it can be fished from the shore, so it is almost entirely boat fishing. The boats are almost invariably of fiberglass now and vary in length from seventeen to eighteen feet. They are remarkably sea-worthy in rough weather and can comfortably and safely take three or four anglers. These boats can be hired and lifejackets are invariably supplied.
Fishing is free but there are some ground rules.
For further angling information contact Gerard Madden.
Pollution has been a problem in the past but it is now under control and the fishing will undoubtedly improve in the coming years. Many fresh- water species of fish are to be found such as pike, trout, perch, bream, eels, rudd, tench and rudd/bream hybrids. In depth the lake ranges from the rocky shallows of the ‘middle ground’ in the center of Scariff bay where there is only a couple of feet of water to over 120 feet off Parkers point. Large areas are from eight to twenty five feet, the normal fishing depth. There are very few places on Lough Derg where it can be fished from the shore, so it is almost entirely boat fishing. The boats are almost invariably of fiberglass now and vary in length from seventeen to eighteen feet. They are remarkably sea-worthy in rough weather and can comfortably and safely take three or four anglers. These boats can be hired and lifejackets are invariably supplied.
Fishing is free but there are some ground rules.
For further angling information contact Gerard Madden.
