Current view: Text account
Site description (2000 baseline):
Site location and context
Lough Gara, in Counties Sligo and Roscommon, is situated 7 km west of Boyle at its northern end and 7 km north-east of Ballaghadereen at its southern margin. It is a shallow limestone lake, with a maximum depth of 16 m. To the south it is fed by the Lunge and Breedoge rivers, while in the north it drains into the River Shannon via the River Boyle. The lakeshore comprises reedbed and marsh, which extend along the River Boyle and within the lake are low-lying islands. Adjoining the lake is raised bog. Land-uses include peat-cutting (`Other' land-use).
This is an important site for wintering wildfowl.
Pressure/threats to key biodiversity
The lake has been subject to various drainage schemes since the mid-nineteenth century and water-levels are now permanently lowered. Threats include siltation due to peat-cutting and further drainage, while wildfowling causes some disturbance to geese.
National Partial
International High800 ha of IBA covered by Wildfowl Sanctuary (Lough Gara, 800 ha). 1,742 ha of IBA covered by Ramsar Site (Lough Gara, 1,742 ha). 1,742 ha of IBA covered by Special Protection Area (Lough Gara, 1,742 ha).
Recommended citation
BirdLife International (2024) Important Bird Area factsheet: Lough Gara (Ireland). Downloaded from
https://datazone.birdlife.org/site/factsheet/lough-gara-iba-ireland on 29/12/2024.
