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{{Infobox lake |
{{Infobox lake |
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| name = Lough Oughter |
| name = Lough Oughter |
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| designation1 = Ramsar |
| designation1 = Ramsar |
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| designation1_date = 7 June 1996 |
| designation1_date = 7 June 1996 |
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| designation1_number = 853<ref>{{Cite web|website= rsis.ramsar.org | title = Ramsar Sites Information Service - Lough Oughter | url=https://rsis.ramsar.org/ris/853|accessdate=25 April 2018}}</ref>}} |
| designation1_number = 853<ref name="rsis">{{Cite web|website= rsis.ramsar.org | title = Ramsar Sites Information Service - Lough Oughter | url=https://rsis.ramsar.org/ris/853|accessdate=25 April 2018}}</ref>}} |
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'''Lough Oughter''' ({{lang-gle|Loch Uachtair}}) is a lake, or complex of lakes, in [[County Cavan]] covering |
'''Lough Oughter''' ({{lang-gle|Loch Uachtair}}) is a lake, or complex of lakes, in [[County Cavan]] covering more than {{convert|8900|hectare}}. The complex of lakes lies on the [[River Erne]], and forms the southern part of the [[Lough Erne]] complex. The lakes are bounded roughly by [[Belturbet]] in the north, [[Cavan]] town to the east, [[Crossdoney]] to the south and [[Killeshandra]] to the west. |
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==Geography and ecology== |
==Geography and ecology== |
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A 1977 report by ''An Foras Forbartha'' (precursor to the [[Environmental Protection Agency (Ireland)|Environmental Protection Agency]]) describes Lough Oughter as the "best inland example of a flooded drumlin landscape" in Ireland, and details the varied biological communities of the area.<ref>{{cite web|url = https://www.npws.ie/sites/default/files/publications/pdf/Goodwillie_1977_ASI_Cavan.pdf | publisher = An Foras Forbartha | via = npws.ie | title = Areas of Scientific Interest in Co. Cavan | date = 1977 | accessdate = 7 November 2018 }}</ref> According a [[National Parks and Wildlife Service (Ireland)|National Parks and Wildlife Service]] summary of the site, there is nowhere else in the country with such "mixture of land and water occur over a comparable area", with many species of wetland plants, which are common to Lough Oughter, characterised as "infrequent elsewhere".<ref name="npws">{{cite web|url = https://www.npws.ie/sites/default/files/protected-sites/synopsis/SY000007.pdf | title = Lough Oughter and Associated Loughs SAC - Site Synopsis | website = npws.ie | date = 20 June 2013 | accessdate = 6 November 2018 }}</ref> The number of whooper swans which winter in the area represents about 3% of the total European population while the lake also houses the largest concentration of breeding Great Crested Grebes in the Republic, having become almost extinct in the 19th century.{{fact|date=November 2018}} |
A 1977 report by ''An Foras Forbartha'' (precursor to the [[Environmental Protection Agency (Ireland)|Environmental Protection Agency]]) describes Lough Oughter as the "best inland example of a flooded drumlin landscape" in Ireland, and details the varied biological communities of the area.<ref>{{cite web|url = https://www.npws.ie/sites/default/files/publications/pdf/Goodwillie_1977_ASI_Cavan.pdf | publisher = An Foras Forbartha | via = npws.ie | title = Areas of Scientific Interest in Co. Cavan | date = 1977 | accessdate = 7 November 2018 }}</ref> According a [[National Parks and Wildlife Service (Ireland)|National Parks and Wildlife Service]] summary of the site, there is nowhere else in the country with such "mixture of land and water occur over a comparable area", with many species of wetland plants, which are common to Lough Oughter, characterised as "infrequent elsewhere".<ref name="npws">{{cite web|url = https://www.npws.ie/sites/default/files/protected-sites/synopsis/SY000007.pdf | title = Lough Oughter and Associated Loughs SAC - Site Synopsis | publisher = National Parks and Wildlife Service | website = npws.ie | date = 20 June 2013 | accessdate = 6 November 2018 }}</ref> The number of whooper swans which winter in the area represents about 3% of the total European population while the lake also houses the largest concentration of breeding Great Crested Grebes in the Republic, having become almost extinct in the 19th century.{{fact|date=November 2018}} |
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As an angling lake, Lough Oughter is designated as a suitable wetland for inclusion in the [[Ramsar Convention|Ramsar]] List of Wetlands of International Importance. The Lough Oughter complex, along with Killykeen Forest Park, are designated [[Natura 2000]] habitats, Special Areas for Conservation (SAC) and Special Protection Areas (SPA) under EU legislation. Lough Oughter is part of the UNESCO [[Marble Arch Caves Global Geopark]].<ref>{{cite web|url = https://www.marblearchcavesgeopark.com/geopark/marble-arch-caves-2/ | website = marblearchcavesgeopark.com | title = Marble Arch Caves Global Geopark | accessdate = 6 November 2018 | quote = ''The Marble Arch Caves Global Geopark includes [..] a swathe of countryside extending from the northern shores of Lower Lough Erne in County Fermanagh to the southern shores of Lough Oughter in County Cavan''}} </ref> |
As an angling lake, Lough Oughter is designated as a suitable wetland for inclusion in the [[Ramsar Convention|Ramsar]] List of Wetlands of International Importance.<ref name="rsis"/> The Lough Oughter complex, along with Killykeen Forest Park, are designated [[Natura 2000]] habitats, Special Areas for Conservation (SAC) and Special Protection Areas (SPA) under EU legislation. Lough Oughter is part of the UNESCO [[Marble Arch Caves Global Geopark]].<ref>{{cite web|url = https://www.marblearchcavesgeopark.com/geopark/marble-arch-caves-2/ | publisher = Fermanagh and Omagh District Council | website = marblearchcavesgeopark.com | title = Marble Arch Caves Global Geopark | accessdate = 6 November 2018 | quote = ''The Marble Arch Caves Global Geopark includes [..] a swathe of countryside extending from the northern shores of Lower Lough Erne in County Fermanagh to the southern shores of Lough Oughter in County Cavan''}} </ref> |
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The main threats to the quality of the site, according to the National Parks and Wildlife Service, are water pollution sources like run-off from fertiliser and slurry applications, and sewage discharge which have raised the nutrient status of some lakes to hypertrophic.<ref name="npws"/> Afforestation has also resulted in some loss of wetland habitat and feeding grounds for some wintering birds.<ref name="npws"/> |
The main threats to the quality of the site, according to the National Parks and Wildlife Service, are water pollution sources like run-off from fertiliser and slurry applications, and sewage discharge which have raised the nutrient status of some lakes to hypertrophic.<ref name="npws"/> Afforestation has also resulted in some loss of wetland habitat and feeding grounds for some wintering birds.<ref name="npws"/> |
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==Recreation and tourism== |
==Recreation and tourism== |
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[[File:Loughter.JPG|thumb |
[[File:Loughter.JPG|thumb|Lough Oughter at sunset]] |
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The Lough Oughter complex of lakes and wetlands is an [[ecotourism]] destination.<ref>{{cite web|url = http://discoverbelturbet.ie/unesco-geopark/clough-oughter/ | publisher = Belturbet Community Development Association | website = discoverbelturbet.ie | title = Discover Belturbet > UNESCO Geopark > Clough Oughter | date = | accessdate = 7 November 2018 }}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url = http://www.noticenature.ie/Tourism_Case_Studies.html | publisher = Department of the Environment, Heritage and Local Government | website = noticenature.ie | title = Case Studies of Successful Environmentally Friendly Tourism Operators | accessdate = 7 November 2018 }}</ref> [[Killykeen Forest Park]], managed by [[Coillte]], is a woodland of {{convert|240|hectare}} located five miles from Cavan town, and sitting alongside the Lough Oughter system.<ref>{{cite web|url = https://www.coillte.ie/site/killykeen-forest-park/ | publisher = Coillte | website = coillte.ie | title = Killykeen Forest Park | accessdate = 7 November 2018 }}</ref> |
The Lough Oughter complex of lakes and wetlands is an [[ecotourism]] destination.<ref>{{cite web|url = http://discoverbelturbet.ie/unesco-geopark/clough-oughter/ | publisher = Belturbet Community Development Association | website = discoverbelturbet.ie | title = Discover Belturbet > UNESCO Geopark > Clough Oughter | date = | accessdate = 7 November 2018 }}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url = http://www.noticenature.ie/Tourism_Case_Studies.html | publisher = Department of the Environment, Heritage and Local Government | website = noticenature.ie | title = Case Studies of Successful Environmentally Friendly Tourism Operators | accessdate = 7 November 2018 }}</ref> [[Killykeen Forest Park]], managed by [[Coillte]], is a woodland of {{convert|240|hectare}} located five miles from Cavan town, and sitting alongside the Lough Oughter system.<ref>{{cite web|url = https://www.coillte.ie/site/killykeen-forest-park/ | publisher = Coillte | website = coillte.ie | title = Killykeen Forest Park | accessdate = 7 November 2018 }}</ref> |
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[[File:FloodingLOughter.jpg|thumb|left|Flooding following heavy rainfall in Autumn 2002]] |
[[File:FloodingLOughter.jpg|thumb|left|Flooding following heavy rainfall in Autumn 2002]] |
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Trinity Island, located on Lough Oughter, was once home to a monastic settlement, and a friary on the island dates from the 12th or 13th century.<ref name="museum">{{cite web|url = http://www.cavanmuseum.ie/historical-sites.htm | publisher = Cavan Museum | website = cavanmuseum.ie | title= Cavan - Historical Sites | accessdate = 7 November 2018}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url = http://www.irishstones.org/place.aspx?p=435 | publisher = | website = irishstones.org | title = Trinity Island Priory | accessdate = 7 November 2018 }}</ref> |
Trinity Island, located on Lough Oughter, was once home to a monastic settlement, and a friary on the island dates from the 12th or 13th century.<ref name="museum">{{cite web|url = http://www.cavanmuseum.ie/historical-sites.htm | publisher = Cavan Museum | website = cavanmuseum.ie | title= Cavan - Historical Sites | accessdate = 7 November 2018}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url = http://www.irishstones.org/place.aspx?p=435 | publisher = Antonio D'Imperio | website = irishstones.org | title = Trinity Island Priory | accessdate = 7 November 2018 }}</ref> |
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Following the arrival of the Anglo Normans, [[Cloughoughter Castle|Clogh Oughter Castle]] was also built in the area, also in the 13th century.<ref name="museum"/> It stands on a tiny island in Lough Oughter, and is circular in construction. Measuring approximately 15.5 metres in outside diameter, it is almost 18 metres high. The nearest shore is approximately 130 metres away, close to the narrowest part of the lough at Inishconnell Rinn Point. During the seventeenth century, the castle changed hands several times and was one of the last defended castles to hold out during the Confederate Wars.<ref name="museum"/> Before this, Clogh Oughter Castle was used as a prison, and the Anglican Bishop of Kilmore, [[William Bedell]] was held hostage here. Rebel leader Owen Rua O'Neil is reputed to have died here in 1649 and was secretly brought to Trinity Island for burial. The castle was captured in 1653 and its walls breached by cannon shot.<ref name="museum"/> It has remained unoccupied ever since. |
Following the arrival of the Anglo Normans, [[Cloughoughter Castle|Clogh Oughter Castle]] was also built in the area, also in the 13th century.<ref name="museum"/> It stands on a tiny island in Lough Oughter, and is circular in construction. Measuring approximately 15.5 metres in outside diameter, it is almost 18 metres high. The nearest shore is approximately 130 metres away, close to the narrowest part of the lough at Inishconnell Rinn Point. During the seventeenth century, the castle changed hands several times and was one of the last defended castles to hold out during the Confederate Wars.<ref name="museum"/> Before this, Clogh Oughter Castle was used as a prison, and the Anglican Bishop of Kilmore, [[William Bedell]] was held hostage here. Rebel leader Owen Rua O'Neil is reputed to have died here in 1649 and was secretly brought to Trinity Island for burial. The castle was captured in 1653 and its walls breached by cannon shot.<ref name="museum"/> It has remained unoccupied ever since. |
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Revision as of 01:22, 7 November 2018
| Lough Oughter | |
|---|---|
 Lough Oughter in Killykeen | |
| Location | County Cavan |
| Coordinates | 54°01′01″N 7°23′18″W / 54.01694°N 7.38833°W |
| Type | Eutrophic Glacial lake between drumlins. |
| Primary inflows | from various springs and streams |
| Primary outflows | River Erne Atlantic Ocean, Ballyshannon |
| Designation | Ornithological, botanical, zoological interest |
| Max. length | 12 km (7.5 mi) |
| Max. width | 10 km (6.2 mi) |
| Surface area | 8,931 ha (22,070 acres) |
| Frozen | Winter of 2010/2011 |
| Designated | 7 June 1996 |
| Reference no. | 853[1] |
Lough Oughter (Template:Lang-gle) is a lake, or complex of lakes, in County Cavan covering more than 8,900 hectares (22,000 acres). The complex of lakes lies on the River Erne, and forms the southern part of the Lough Erne complex. The lakes are bounded roughly by Belturbet in the north, Cavan town to the east, Crossdoney to the south and Killeshandra to the west.
Geography and ecology
A 1977 report by An Foras Forbartha (precursor to the Environmental Protection Agency) describes Lough Oughter as the "best inland example of a flooded drumlin landscape" in Ireland, and details the varied biological communities of the area.[2] According a National Parks and Wildlife Service summary of the site, there is nowhere else in the country with such "mixture of land and water occur over a comparable area", with many species of wetland plants, which are common to Lough Oughter, characterised as "infrequent elsewhere".[3] The number of whooper swans which winter in the area represents about 3% of the total European population while the lake also houses the largest concentration of breeding Great Crested Grebes in the Republic, having become almost extinct in the 19th century.[citation needed]
As an angling lake, Lough Oughter is designated as a suitable wetland for inclusion in the Ramsar List of Wetlands of International Importance.[1] The Lough Oughter complex, along with Killykeen Forest Park, are designated Natura 2000 habitats, Special Areas for Conservation (SAC) and Special Protection Areas (SPA) under EU legislation. Lough Oughter is part of the UNESCO Marble Arch Caves Global Geopark.[4]
The main threats to the quality of the site, according to the National Parks and Wildlife Service, are water pollution sources like run-off from fertiliser and slurry applications, and sewage discharge which have raised the nutrient status of some lakes to hypertrophic.[3] Afforestation has also resulted in some loss of wetland habitat and feeding grounds for some wintering birds.[3]
Recreation and tourism
The Lough Oughter complex of lakes and wetlands is an ecotourism destination.[5][6] Killykeen Forest Park, managed by Coillte, is a woodland of 240 hectares (590 acres) located five miles from Cavan town, and sitting alongside the Lough Oughter system.[7]
Historic settlement
Trinity Island, located on Lough Oughter, was once home to a monastic settlement, and a friary on the island dates from the 12th or 13th century.[8][9]
Following the arrival of the Anglo Normans, Clogh Oughter Castle was also built in the area, also in the 13th century.[8] It stands on a tiny island in Lough Oughter, and is circular in construction. Measuring approximately 15.5 metres in outside diameter, it is almost 18 metres high. The nearest shore is approximately 130 metres away, close to the narrowest part of the lough at Inishconnell Rinn Point. During the seventeenth century, the castle changed hands several times and was one of the last defended castles to hold out during the Confederate Wars.[8] Before this, Clogh Oughter Castle was used as a prison, and the Anglican Bishop of Kilmore, William Bedell was held hostage here. Rebel leader Owen Rua O'Neil is reputed to have died here in 1649 and was secretly brought to Trinity Island for burial. The castle was captured in 1653 and its walls breached by cannon shot.[8] It has remained unoccupied ever since.
During the late nineteenth century, water levels on Lough Oughter were lowered to alleviate flooding of low lying farmland.[citation needed] However, a 2008 proposal by Waterways Ireland suggested that levels be raised to facilitate tourism and allow pleasure boats to gain access into the lough via the River Erne from Belturbet to Killashandra.[10]
See also
References
- ^ a b "Ramsar Sites Information Service - Lough Oughter". rsis.ramsar.org. Retrieved 25 April 2018.
- ^ "Areas of Scientific Interest in Co. Cavan" (PDF). An Foras Forbartha. 1977. Retrieved 7 November 2018 – via npws.ie.
- ^ a b c "Lough Oughter and Associated Loughs SAC - Site Synopsis" (PDF). npws.ie. National Parks and Wildlife Service. 20 June 2013. Retrieved 6 November 2018.
- ^ "Marble Arch Caves Global Geopark". marblearchcavesgeopark.com. Fermanagh and Omagh District Council. Retrieved 6 November 2018.
The Marble Arch Caves Global Geopark includes [..] a swathe of countryside extending from the northern shores of Lower Lough Erne in County Fermanagh to the southern shores of Lough Oughter in County Cavan
- ^ "Discover Belturbet > UNESCO Geopark > Clough Oughter". discoverbelturbet.ie. Belturbet Community Development Association. Retrieved 7 November 2018.
- ^ "Case Studies of Successful Environmentally Friendly Tourism Operators". noticenature.ie. Department of the Environment, Heritage and Local Government. Retrieved 7 November 2018.
- ^ "Killykeen Forest Park". coillte.ie. Coillte. Retrieved 7 November 2018.
- ^ a b c d "Cavan - Historical Sites". cavanmuseum.ie. Cavan Museum. Retrieved 7 November 2018.
- ^ "Trinity Island Priory". irishstones.org. Antonio D'Imperio. Retrieved 7 November 2018.
- ^ "Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday 2 October 2018, Inland Waterways Development". oireachtas.ie. Houses of the Oireachtas. 2 October 2018. Retrieved 7 November 2018.
Waterways Ireland [prepared] a draft navigation plan [..] in 2008. Waterways Ireland initiated a strategic environmental assessment, SEA, of this draft plan to establish a new navigation on Lough Oughter from Belturbet to Killashandra