Overview
Killinure Lough is one of the inner lakes at the south-eastern end of Lough Ree, where the River Shannon spreads out into a maze of bays and islands above Athlone. It covers about 2.6 km² and takes its water from Coosan Lough and the Glassan and Breensford rivers before draining into Lough Ree proper. The shore belongs to the townlands of Glasson and Ballykeeran, and most of what a visitor comes for sits on the one peninsula: Quigley’s Marina at Killinure Point, the golf course wrapped around Killinure House, and, a little north, the woods at Portlick. It is a working boating water rather than a scenic set-piece, and it is quieter for it.
If you have half a day and no boat, spend it at Portlick. The walk there is the one thing worth prioritising, and it is free.
The Portlick woods and the shore walks
North of the lough at Portlick, a short looped trail runs through native woodland with breaks of lake view, and the longer Portlick Millennium Forest and Castle Circular is the best walk in the immediate area. It passes Portlick Castle, a medieval tower house, and the Portlick Motte, a National Monument. Closer in, the Lough Ree Park walking trail starts about 2 km from Killinure South.
One honest warning: the lakeside stretches flood and turn to deep mud after rain, which in this part of Westmeath is most of the year. Wear wellies or accept wet feet. The higher woodland paths at Portlick hold up far better.
Killinure House
The Georgian house on the water is Killinure House, a seven-bay two-storey country house built around 1790, with a projecting Doric porch and full-height bows at either end. It went up on the site of an earlier castle, which appears on the Down Survey maps of the 1650s. A branch of the Murray family built it; the Maunsells held it through the middle and later 19th century. It now works as a hotel and as the clubhouse for the golf course.
Golf
Glasson Golf Club occupies the old Killinure House estate: an 18-hole parkland course designed by Christy O’Connor Jnr, with the 14th playing along the edge of Killinure Bay. It is well regarded, and the lakeside holes are the reason. The clubhouse is at Killinure, Glasson (Eircode N37 HX45), on 090 648 5120.
Boating and the marina
Quigley’s Marina at Killinure Point sits almost surrounded by water, on the mouth of the inner lakes. It has 100 berths and can take boats up to 45ft, each with water and power. There is diesel, gas, a pump-out station, two travel hoists and hardstand winter storage, which makes it a genuine service stop rather than just a mooring. For anyone hiring on the water rather than bringing their own, Baysports runs an inflatable water-sports centre on the lough.
Fishing
Killinure Lough is a brown trout and eel fishery. A valid state fishing licence is required for the Shannon system; check current permit arrangements locally before you cast, as coarse and game rules differ.
Staying nearby
- Killinure Chalets, on the Lough Ree shore, offer self-catering chalets with free parking and an on-site restaurant. Manfred and Geraldine Walesch have run them for around 30 years (090 648 5155, info@killinure-chalets.com).
- Wineport Lodge, on the lakeside at Glasson, is a modern lodge with a spa and restaurant.
- Killinure Cottage, near Glasson, is a self-catering option.
Practical information
- Getting there: the marina, house and golf course are all signposted off the local roads near Glasson, a few minutes north-east of Athlone.
- Parking: there is parking at the marina and at the golf club for users, and free parking at Killinure Chalets for guests. There is no public pay-and-display car park at the lough.
- Nearby history: Bunowen church and graveyard lie about 1 km south-east of Killinure House, with Bunowen Castle 1.7 km east-north-east.
Nearby attractions
- Athlone Castle – a Norman fortification in Athlone, a few minutes’ drive south.
- Belvedere House Estate and Jealous Wall – an 18th-century estate with formal gardens and parkland.
- Fore – Abbey and Seven Wonders – medieval abbey ruins in a quiet village to the north-east.
- Lough Ennell & Jonathan Swift Park – a larger lake for sailing and fishing near Mullingar.
Come after a dry spell if you want the shore walks, and time a summer evening for the 14th at Glasson, when the light comes off Killinure Bay.