Coumshingaun Lake (Lough) Glacial Corrie

Overview

Coumshingaun Lake (also known as Coumshingaun Lough) sits in a natural amphitheatre about 35 minutes north‑west of Waterford City and 20 minutes from Dungarvan. The lake fills a classic glacial corrie – a crescent‑shaped hollow carved by the last Ice Age – and reaches depths of up to 50 m. Sheer granite and Old Red Sandstone cliffs tower roughly 400 m above the water, creating a dramatic bowl that reflects the sky on calm days. The corrie forms part of the Comeragh Mountains landscape, offering striking contrasts between rugged rock and tranquil water.

History / Background

Around 12 000 years ago a glacier scoured the Comeragh range, leaving a sweeping depression framed by moraine deposits and a striking black moraine wall. Over millennia the hollow filled with melt‑water, forming today’s lake. Local folklore speaks of “irresistible currents and evil spirits,” while early‑20th‑century WWI veteran Jim Fitzgerald – the “Hermit of Lackendara” – is said to have lived in a cave on the lake’s edge, adding a human legend to the rugged landscape.

Geology & Landscape

The corrie is a textbook example of a glacially‑carved amphitheatre. As the ice sheet retreated, it left behind a steep backwall of granite and a floor of finely‑ground moraine. The resulting basin collects precipitation and melt‑water, creating a deep, clear lake that mirrors the surrounding peaks. The surrounding Old Red Sandstone adds a warm, reddish hue to the cliffs, contrasting with the dark granite and giving the area its distinctive colour palette.

What to See & Do

• The Loop Trail – A 6–8 km circuit that starts at Kilclooney Wood Car Park. The route is classed as Hard, with an elevation gain of about 630 m and an estimated 3–4 hours to complete. Most walkers tackle the trail clockwise: the steepest ascent comes first, followed by a gentler descent.
• Key Landmarks
  • The Mast: a tall marker that signals the approach to the summit plateau.
  • The Castle: a serrated rock formation resembling a fortress, useful for navigation on the clockwise circuit.
  • The Ridge: a narrow, exposed spine offering the most panoramic views of the lake and the wider Comeragh range – a favourite spot for sunrise photography.
  • Lake Edge: the path skirts the water, allowing quick, cold‑water dips and close‑up views of the lake’s mirror surface.
• Flora & Fauna – Spring brings bright gorse blooms; summer reveals the rare St Patrick’s Cabbage and native saxifrages; autumn showcases golden wax‑cap fungi. Birdwatchers may spot meadow pipits, skylarks, ravens and, on rare occasions, white‑tailed eagles. Mountain goats and otters are regular visitors to the upper lake area.
• Activities – Besides hiking, the lake is popular with cold‑water swimmers and anglers targeting brown trout and northern pike (subject to local regulations). Photographers are drawn to the ridge viewpoint for sunrise reflections and to the echo‑rich basin for atmospheric shots.

Connecting Walks

For those looking to extend their mountain adventure, the nearby Coumduala Loop (Coumduala Loop) offers a gentler 4 km circuit that links several high‑country lakes and provides additional viewpoints over the Comeragh range. Both loops can be combined for a full‑day trek, though careful planning for time and stamina is advised.

Nearby Attractions

• Mahon Falls (≈15 min drive)
• The quirky Magic Road (≈15 min)
• The Waterford Greenway (≈20 min)
• A seafood dinner in Dungarvan (≈20 min)
• The broader Comeragh Mountains area for further hill walking and mountain biking (Comeragh Mountains)

Practical Information

Getting There

From Waterford City, follow the R676 south‑west for about 35 minutes to Kilclooney Wood Car Park (GPS ≈ 52.250539, ‑7.395). The car park sits at the trailhead; from there the ascent begins immediately.

Coumshingaun Lake offers a blend of geological wonder, wild beauty and a touch of legend – a rewarding destination for any lover of Ireland’s rugged outdoors.