Lough Allen
Encyclopedia
Lough Allen is a lake
situated on the River Shannon
, in the north-central part of Ireland
, near Ireland
's border region. Most of the lake is in County Leitrim
, with a smaller portion in County Roscommon
. The lake lies to the south of the river's source, near the Iron Mountains, and is the uppermost of the three main lakes on the river. The other two, Lough Ree
and Lough Derg are both much further to the south.
The lake is mainly on a north-south axis, with the head of lake at the north, and the end of the lake in the south. The R280
regional road
skirts the west side of the lake, while the R207
follows the east bank, from Ballinagleragh to Drumshanbo
. The R200 road is on the north side of the lake, traveling west from Dowra
to Drumkeeran
. For panoramic views, use the Arigna Miners Way & Historical Trail as your guide. The Iron Mountains (Slíabh an Íariann) overlook the lake. There are 2 loop walks, which will show the lake and its shorelines at its best.
Lake
A lake is a body of relatively still fresh or salt water of considerable size, localized in a basin, that is surrounded by land. Lakes are inland and not part of the ocean and therefore are distinct from lagoons, and are larger and deeper than ponds. Lakes can be contrasted with rivers or streams,...
situated on the River Shannon
River Shannon
The River Shannon is the longest river in Ireland at . It divides the west of Ireland from the east and south . County Clare, being west of the Shannon but part of the province of Munster, is the major exception...
, in the north-central part of Ireland
Republic of Ireland
Ireland , described as the Republic of Ireland , is a sovereign state in Europe occupying approximately five-sixths of the island of the same name. Its capital is Dublin. Ireland, which had a population of 4.58 million in 2011, is a constitutional republic governed as a parliamentary democracy,...
, near Ireland
Ireland
Ireland is an island to the northwest of continental Europe. It is the third-largest island in Europe and the twentieth-largest island on Earth...
's border region. Most of the lake is in County Leitrim
County Leitrim
County Leitrim is a county in Ireland. It is located in the West Region and is also part of the province of Connacht. It is named after the village of Leitrim. Leitrim County Council is the local authority for the county...
, with a smaller portion in County Roscommon
County Roscommon
County Roscommon is a county in Ireland. It is located in the West Region and is also part of the province of Connacht. It is named after the town of Roscommon. Roscommon County Council is the local authority for the county...
. The lake lies to the south of the river's source, near the Iron Mountains, and is the uppermost of the three main lakes on the river. The other two, Lough Ree
Lough Ree
Lough Ree is a lake in the midlands of Ireland, the second of the three major lakes on the River Shannon. Lough Ree is the second largest lake on the Shannon after Lough Derg. The other two major lakes are Lough Allen to the north, and Lough Derg to the south, there are also several minor lakes...
and Lough Derg are both much further to the south.
The lake is mainly on a north-south axis, with the head of lake at the north, and the end of the lake in the south. The R280
R280 road
The R280 road is a regional road in Ireland linking Bundoran in County Donegal in the north to Carrick-on-Shannon in County Leitrim.En route it passes through Kinlough, Manorhamilton, Drumkeeran and Leitrim village...
regional road
Regional road
A regional road in Ireland is a class of road not forming a major route , but nevertheless forming a link in the national route network. There are over 11,600 kilometres of regional roads. Regional roads are numbered with three digit route numbers, prefixed by "R" A regional road in Ireland is a...
skirts the west side of the lake, while the R207
R207 road
The R207 road is a regional road in Ireland linking the N16 national primary road near the Northern Ireland border to the R280 10 km north of Carrick-on-Shannon in County Leitrim....
follows the east bank, from Ballinagleragh to Drumshanbo
Drumshanbo
Drumshanbo is a small town situated in the heart of County Leitrim, Ireland. The town takes its name from the Irish, Druim-Sean-Bhoth or "Ridge of the old huts". Drumshanbo is surrounded by a scenic area of soft rolling hills, woodlands, lakes and the Sliabh an Iarainn and Arigna mountains...
. The R200 road is on the north side of the lake, traveling west from Dowra
Dowra
Dowra is a small village in northwest County Cavan, Ireland. It is the first village on, and marks the most uppermost navigable point of, the River Shannon. On one side of its bridge is County Cavan; on the other is County Leitrim...
to Drumkeeran
Drumkeeran
Drumkeeran is a village in County Leitrim, Ireland located at the junction of the R280 and R200 regional roads. It lies at the foot of Corry Mountain just north of Lough Allen. Drumkeerin is situated in drumlin hills northwest of Lough Allen, a lake on the Shannon.The Drumkeerin Development...
. For panoramic views, use the Arigna Miners Way & Historical Trail as your guide. The Iron Mountains (Slíabh an Íariann) overlook the lake. There are 2 loop walks, which will show the lake and its shorelines at its best.