Lough Anure – lake of the yew

Overview

Lough Anure (Irish Loch an Iúir, ‘lake of the yew’) is the largest lake in the Rosses, the low, lake-strewn corner of north-west County Donegal about 8 km north-east of Dungloe. It’s shallow – roughly 1.6 km² (about 390 acres), 2 m deep on average and 12 m at most – and dotted with four small islands. One of them, Trairagh, still carries a wild yew, the iúr that gave the lake its name. Water drains north out of it by the River Crolly (the Gweedore River) to reach the Atlantic at Crolly. On the eastern shore is the Gaeltacht village of Loughanure, where Irish is the everyday language: there’s a pub-restaurant, Casadh an tSúgáin, a petrol station and shop, and the Irish-language college Coláiste Mhuire.

History & Heritage

The village’s character was shaped for nearly a century by an unexpected industry. Around 1850, local women noticed a white powder in the area and recognised its potential, sparking a lime-making trade that would define Loughanure. Stone kilns, typically 12 feet in diameter and 12 feet high, were constructed throughout the village. Workers packed layers of turf and limestone into each kiln, then lit the mixture with a simple black-powder fuse made from sulphur, saltpetre and charcoal. The burn lasted around ten hours, producing quicklime that was bagged, loaded onto donkey-drawn wagons and sold within a 20-mile radius. It went on local fields, into building work, and even onto crops as frost protection.

The trade faded through the late 1930s – local accounts blame a promised grant that never came – and by the 1950s the kilns had gone cold. Their weathered stone shapes still stand across the landscape today. The local Irish-language college regularly organises guided heritage walks that trace these old sites, explaining the chemistry of the burn, the labour involved, and how the industry sustained the community for generations.

What to See & Do

• Lakeside Walks – A gentle, well-marked circuit follows the shoreline, offering clear views of the islands, the distant Atlantic, and the surrounding hills. The path is easy to navigate and works well for families or visitors with young children. It is also a reliable spot for birdwatching, particularly during spring and autumn migration.
• Island Exploration – The island holding the original yew tree is a quiet focal point. Visitors often use it as a resting spot or a place to sit and watch the water. Access depends on weather and tide conditions, so check locally before attempting to cross.
• Angling – The lake is known for brown trout, typically half a pound to a pound. Sea trout run later in the season and there are occasional salmon; the lake is also home to the critically endangered European eel. Fishing is controlled by the Rosses Anglers and the ESB, and a permit is required (see below).
• Water Sports – Summer conditions keep the surface calm, making it suitable for kayaking and paddle-boarding. Hire options are available locally for those without their own equipment.
• Heritage Walks – Guided routes through the village focus on the lime-kiln ruins and the social history of the area. Walks are often conducted in Irish, with English explanations provided, offering a practical way to hear the local language in context.

Fishing Seasons

Getting There

• By Car – The N56 runs directly through Loughanure, connecting the area to Dungloe (about 7 km away) and the wider Gweedore region. Free roadside parking is available at the main lay-by opposite the village shop. During peak summer weekends, a small parking fee may apply, so it is worth checking with local traders if visiting in July or August.
• Public Transport – Bus Éireann route 440 operates between Dungloe and Gweedore, stopping on the N56 near the village centre. Sunday services are limited, so travellers relying on the bus should verify the current timetable before planning their day.
• Cycling – Lough Anure forms part of the Donegal Cycle Network. A popular 10 km loop runs from Dungloe to Loughanure and back, mostly on quiet roads with gentle gradients.
• Boat Hire – Small rowing boats and kayaks can be arranged through Charlie Bonner’s Tackle Shop in Dungloe. Advance booking is recommended in summer, as availability is limited.

Practical Information

• Permits – Anglers must hold a valid fishing permit. These can be purchased from:

  Vendor	Location	Phone
  Charlie Bonner’s Tackle Shop	The Bridge, Dungloe	(074) 952 1163
  Bunbeg House	The Harbour, Bunbeg	(074) 953 1305
  An Chuirt Hotel	Dungloe	(074) 953 1101

• Facilities – Loughanure has a small local shop, a traditional pub, and nearby accommodation including An Chuirt Hotel in Dungloe. Public toilets are located near the main car park.
• Restrictions – Harvesting shrimp or prawns is strictly prohibited to protect local aquatic populations.
• Seasonality – The lake and walking paths are accessible year-round. Water-sport activities and heritage walks are most reliable from May through September, when daylight hours and weather conditions are at their best.

Nearby Attractions

• Bunbeg Harbour – A short drive north, a working harbour village with a sheltered beach, fresh seafood and boat trips out to the islands.
• Dungloe – The main service town for the Rosses, with supermarkets, cafés and a weekly Friday market for supplies and local produce.
• Gweedore – North on the N56, the Gaeltacht heartland of west Donegal, and the way to Errigal and the Poisoned Glen at Dunlewey.
• Arranmore – The ferry from Burtonport reaches Árainn Mhór, the largest inhabited island off the Donegal coast, in about 15 minutes.

If you do one thing here, make it the college’s lime-kiln heritage walk rather than the fishing – it’s what sets Loughanure apart from every other lake in the Rosses. The walks usually leave from the village centre, so confirm the meeting point with Coláiste Mhuire in advance, and collect any fishing permit in Dungloe before you drive out.