Lough Derg (Munster)

Location map of Lough Derg

Looking out towards County Clare from County Tipperary across the southern part of Lough Derg.

Lough Derg (Loch Deirgeirt in Irish) is the second largest lake (or lough) in the Republic of Ireland (after Lough Corrib) and the third largest in Ireland overall (after Lough Neagh). It is a long narrow and relatively narrow lake, with shores in counties North Tipperary (to the east), Galway (north-west), and Clare (south-west). The lake is the last of three on the River Shannon, with the other two, Lough Ree and Lough Allen being further north. Some towns or villages on Lough Derg include Garrykennedy, Portumna, Killaloe & Ballina, Dromineer and Terryglass.

At its deepest, the lake is 36 metres and covers and area of 118sq km. The lake is a popular place for leisure boating and fishing. The University of Limerick have their activity centre by the lake, just outside Killaloe. It is used for canoes, kayaks, windsurfing and yachts, amongst other purposes.