Top 9 Lakes around Keadew

The Keadew area offers a diverse range of lakes, from historically significant loughs like Lough Meelagh with its ancient crannógs, to the activity-rich Lough Key Forest Park. You'll find serene spots for quiet contemplation, fishing lakes, and larger, more developed lake parks with extensive amenities. Smaller loughs like Lough Skean also dot the landscape, providing natural beauty.

Yes, Lough Meelagh is particularly rich in history, featuring several ancient crannógs (man-made islands) that date back to the early Christian period. St. Ronan and St. Lasair are even said to be laid to rest on one of its islands. Lough Key also boasts a rich history with ancient ruins and historic relics, including the rebuilt McDermott's Castle on Castle Island.

You can enjoy a wide range of outdoor activities. Lough Meelagh is excellent for walking, hiking, and fishing, with a slipway and floating jetty available. Lough Key Forest Park offers extensive trails for walking, running, cycling, and even Segway tours, alongside adventure activities like ziplining and kayaking. For more structured routes, you can find various hiking trails, road cycling routes, and gravel biking routes in the wider Keadew area.

Lough Key Forest Park is an ideal family destination. It offers extensive trails, play areas, picnic spots, and nature hunts. Attractions within the park include a bog garden, observation tower, ice house, wishing chair, and underground tunnels. The park also provides adventure activities like ziplining and kayaking suitable for various ages. For a more relaxed family outing, Lough Meelagh has a car parking area and picnic tables by the lakeside.

The region offers several stunning viewpoints. The View of Lough Erne from Cliffs of Magho provides panoramic views over Lough Erne. Another challenging but rewarding spot is the View of Lough Nabrickboy, offering views across deep-blue loughs from forestry gravel roads. For a peaceful experience, Meenameen Lough in Lough Navar Forest is a quiet spot with tree cover to enjoy an unspoilt landscape.

Yes, the area is excellent for walking and hiking. Around Lough Meelagh, you'll find several looped walks, including sections of the Miner's Way & Historical Trail, ranging from easy strolls to more challenging hikes. Kilronan Castle Estate & Spa, on Lough Meelagh's shores, also offers scenic walks. Lough Key Forest Park has extensive trails for all abilities. For specific routes, consider the hiking guide for Keadew, which includes trails like the Cliffs of Magho loop.

Yes, fishing is a popular activity, particularly at Lough Meelagh. It has a slipway and floating jetty for fishing enthusiasts, and the lake is home to pike, perch, roach, bream, and tench. Carrick Lough, though smaller, is also popular with anglers for its thriving population of pike, perch, bream, and roach.

The lakes and surrounding woodlands are home to diverse flora and fauna. Areas like Knockranny Wood around Lough Meelagh offer opportunities to observe local wildlife amidst lush scenery. Carrick Lough is also noted for its diverse flora and fauna. Lough Key, with its ancient forests and numerous islands, provides habitats for various species.

Yes, a car parking area is available at the lakeside of Lough Meelagh, complete with picnic tables. Lough Key Forest Park also provides ample parking facilities for visitors accessing its extensive amenities and trails.

Lough Skean is a freshwater lake primarily located in north County Roscommon. It measures approximately 2 km long and 1 km wide. While less developed for tourism than Lough Meelagh or Lough Key, its natural setting offers opportunities for quiet contemplation, fishing, or simply enjoying the rural Irish landscape. For more general information, you can visit its Wikipedia page.

For those seeking a challenge, the View of Lough Nabrickboy involves fast-rolling forestry gravel roads through a wild landscape. In Lough Key Forest Park, thrill-seekers can experience ziplining. The wider Keadew area also offers difficult gravel biking routes, such as the 'View of Lough Nabrickboy – Aghanaglack Prehistoric Tomb loop', and difficult hiking trails like 'Cliffs of Magho via Old Man's Head'.