Overview
Lough Derravaragh lies north of Mullingar, tucked between the villages of Castlepollard, Crookedwood and Multyfarnham in County Westmeath. The lake (Irish Loch Dair‑brech, “lake of oaks”) stretches about 10 km long and 4 km wide, covering 9.14 km², with a maximum depth of 23 m and an elevation of 61 m. Fed and drained by the River Inny, it forms part of the Lough Derravaragh Natural Heritage Area and is also designated a Ramsar wetland of international importance (since 7 June 1996).
Its alkaline, “hard” water supports a healthy population of brown trout, pike, bream, roach and perch, making it a favourite spot for anglers and water‑sports enthusiasts. The lake’s broad, shallow expanse also attracts canoeists, paddle‑boarders and sailors, while the legendary swans that once were the Children of Lír continue to inspire visitors.
History & Legend
The landscape around Lough Derravaragh is steeped in ancient history. Ringforts dot the eastern hills of Ranaghan, while Viking chieftain Turgesius is said to have held strongholds nearby, linking the lake to early medieval power struggles. On the south‑eastern shore rises Knockeyon, a 215‑metre hill crowned with the ruins of Saint Cauragh’s chapel and an adjacent holy well. According to local lore, Saint Cauragh, expelled from the Kells monastery, sought refuge on Knockeyon, survived a miraculous spring of water and erected the chapel that still stands in ruin today.
The lake’s most famous myth is the Children of Lír. The tale tells how four royal children were transformed into swans by a jealous step‑mother and spent three hundred years gliding over Lough Derravaragh before moving on to the Straits of Moyle and later the Atlantic. The story has made the lake a pilgrimage of imagination for generations of visitors.
On the Kiltoom side, artificial islands known as crannógs once supported communities protected by stone mounds. A Stone Age dug‑out canoe recovered in the 1970s attests to the lake’s long‑standing human presence.
What to See & Do
Boating and Angling
A small commercial operation on the lake’s north‑western shore, just off the N4 and four kilometres from Multyfarnham, offers fiberglass boats equipped with outboard engines, lifejackets and fuel. These boats are ideal for a leisurely cruise, a day of trout fishing, or a pike‑focused outing. The service specialises in wild brown trout; the open‑season runs from 1 March to 12 October and an Irish angling licence is required.
Water Sports
Beyond boat hire, the lake’s calm surface is perfect for canoeing, paddle‑boarding and small‑sail craft. Its shallow depth and reliable wind conditions make it suitable for beginners and seasoned paddlers alike.
Wildlife Watching
Lough Derravaragh is a Special Protection Area under the EU Bird Directive and a Ramsar site. It supports nationally important populations of Greenland white‑fronted geese, whooper swans, tufted ducks, mute swans, little grebes, coots and lapwings. Otters and the Irish hare have also been recorded in the surrounding wetlands, while the mineral‑rich margins host rare stoneworts and fen plants such as black bog rush and long‑stalked yellow‑sedge.
Walking and Heritage Trails
A hike up Knockeyon rewards visitors with panoramic views over the lake and the surrounding countryside. Half‑way up, the ruins of Saint Cauragh’s chapel and its well offer a tangible link to early Christian devotion.
The Donore Woodland Walk at the north‑western end of the lake provides an easy, family‑friendly circuit with a fairy garden, small bridges and abundant wildlife. A short, marked Lough Derravaragh Walk (≈0.6 mi / 1 km) follows the shoreline and is ideal for a quick stroll.
The surrounding area is criss‑crossed by greenways: the Old Rail Trail Greenway and the Royal Canal Greenway both run within 10 km, offering longer cycling or walking options. Mullaghmeen Forest, Ireland’s highest planted forest, lies a few kilometres to the east and makes an excellent day‑trip for hill walkers.
Nearby Attractions
- Fore Abbey – a 13th‑century monastic site with a circular walk (link: Fore).
- Belvedere House & Gardens – historic house with lakeside trails and the famous Jealous Wall (link: Belvedere House).
- Lough Ennell – another scenic lake with swimming and walking routes (link: Lough Ennell).
- Tullynally Castle & Gardens – perched on the “Hill of the Swan” with views over Lough Derravaragh (near Castlepollard).
- Castle Varagh Hotel in Castlepollard provides accommodation and dining for visitors.
Practical Information
Lough Derravaragh is easily accessed via the N4, with a well‑signposted turn‑off for the boat‑hire site near Multyfarnham. Parking at the hire point and at the Donore caravan park is free and operates on a first‑come, first‑served basis. No admission fee is required to enjoy the lake, its walking routes or its wildlife – the area is open year‑round.
Angling – an Irish angling licence is required (available online or at tackle shops in Mullingar). Season runs 1 March–12 October.
Boat hire – rates and contact details are available on the Discover Ireland page: Visit Lough Derravaragh Boat Hire. The operator provides lifejackets, fuel on a pay‑as‑you‑go basis and a small café.
Camping & Caravan – Derravaragh Holiday Park (Donore) offers caravan pitches, a café and a mini‑golf course. Phone: +353 0 44 93 71 500; Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/derravaragh.holidaypark.
Visitors are encouraged to stay on marked paths, especially around the bog and reed‑bed areas, to protect sensitive habitats. While most routes are gentle, the ascent to Knockeyon involves some steep sections.
Public transport: regular Bus Éireann services run between Mullingar and Castlepollard; the nearest bus stop to the lake is at Multyfarnham (check current timetables).