Lough Leane
Encyclopedia
Lough Leane is largest of the three lakes of Killarney
. The River Laune
flow from the lake into the Dingle Bay
.
The lake's name means "lake of learning" probably in reference to the monastery on Innisfallen
, an island in the lake. Innisfallen was a center of scholarship in the early Middle Ages, producing the Annals of Innisfallen and, according to legend, educating King Brian Boru
.
Another historic site, the tower house
Ross Castle
sits on Ross Island in the lake. Ross Island is rich in copper. Archaeological evidence suggests the island has been mined since the Bronze Age
Beaker People.
Lake cruises for tourists leave from Ross Castle, and boats can be hired for the trip to Innisfallen Island.
Lough Leane is approximately 19 square kilometres (4,695 acre) in size. It is also the largest body of fresh water in the region. It has become eutrophic as a result of phosphate
s from agricultural and domestic pollution
entering Lough Leane Reedbed, an important habitat on the edge of Lough Leane. This nutrient enrichment has caused several algal bloom
s in recent years. The blooms have not yet had a severe effect on the lake's ecosystem. To prevent further pollution causing a permanent change in the lake's ecosystem, a review of land use in the catchment
area is being carried out. Water quality
in the lake appears to have improved since phosphates were removed from sewage in 1985. As of August 2007, several large hotels and businesses have stated their intention to stop using phosphate detergents, in an effort to preserve the quality of the lake water.
Lakes of Killarney
The Lakes of Killarney are a renowned scenic attraction located near Killarney, County Kerry, in Ireland. They consist of three lakes - Lough Leane, Muckross Lake and Upper Lake.Lough Leane is the largest of the three lakes...
. The River Laune
River Laune
The River Laune is a river in County Kerry, Ireland which flows from Lough Leane , one of the Lakes of Killarney, through the town of Killorglin, and empties into the sea, first at Castlemaine harbour beside the river Maine and then out through Dingle Bay. The Laune is well known for salmon and...
flow from the lake into the Dingle Bay
Dingle Bay
Dingle Bay is a bay located in County Kerry, western Ireland. The bay runs approximately from northeast to southwest into the Atlantic Ocean and is approximately wide at the head, and wide at the entrance. It is flanked on the north by the Dingle Peninsula, and on the south by the Iveragh...
.
The lake's name means "lake of learning" probably in reference to the monastery on Innisfallen
Innisfallen Island
Innisfallen or Inishfallen is an island in Lough Leane; one of the three Lakes of Killarney in County Kerry, Ireland. It is home to the ruins of Innisfallen Abbey, one of the most impressive archaeological remains dating from the early Christian period found in the Killarney National Park. The...
, an island in the lake. Innisfallen was a center of scholarship in the early Middle Ages, producing the Annals of Innisfallen and, according to legend, educating King Brian Boru
Brian Boru
Brian Bóruma mac Cennétig, , , was an Irish king who ended the domination of the High Kingship of Ireland by the Uí Néill. Building on the achievements of his father, Cennétig mac Lorcain, and especially his elder brother, Mathgamain, Brian first made himself King of Munster, then subjugated...
.
Another historic site, the tower house
Tower house
A tower house is a particular type of stone structure, built for defensive purposes as well as habitation.-History:Tower houses began to appear in the Middle Ages, especially in mountain or limited access areas, in order to command and defend strategic points with reduced forces...
Ross Castle
Ross Castle
Ross Castle is the ancestral home of the O'Donoghue clan though it is better known for its association with the Brownes of Killarney who owned it until recently...
sits on Ross Island in the lake. Ross Island is rich in copper. Archaeological evidence suggests the island has been mined since the Bronze Age
Bronze Age
The Bronze Age is a period characterized by the use of copper and its alloy bronze as the chief hard materials in the manufacture of some implements and weapons. Chronologically, it stands between the Stone Age and Iron Age...
Beaker People.
Lake cruises for tourists leave from Ross Castle, and boats can be hired for the trip to Innisfallen Island.
Lough Leane is approximately 19 square kilometres (4,695 acre) in size. It is also the largest body of fresh water in the region. It has become eutrophic as a result of phosphate
Phosphate
A phosphate, an inorganic chemical, is a salt of phosphoric acid. In organic chemistry, a phosphate, or organophosphate, is an ester of phosphoric acid. Organic phosphates are important in biochemistry and biogeochemistry or ecology. Inorganic phosphates are mined to obtain phosphorus for use in...
s from agricultural and domestic pollution
Water pollution
Water pollution is the contamination of water bodies . Water pollution occurs when pollutants are discharged directly or indirectly into water bodies without adequate treatment to remove harmful compounds....
entering Lough Leane Reedbed, an important habitat on the edge of Lough Leane. This nutrient enrichment has caused several algal bloom
Algal bloom
An algal bloom is a rapid increase or accumulation in the population of algae in an aquatic system. Algal blooms may occur in freshwater as well as marine environments. Typically, only one or a small number of phytoplankton species are involved, and some blooms may be recognized by discoloration...
s in recent years. The blooms have not yet had a severe effect on the lake's ecosystem. To prevent further pollution causing a permanent change in the lake's ecosystem, a review of land use in the catchment
Drainage basin
A drainage basin is an extent or an area of land where surface water from rain and melting snow or ice converges to a single point, usually the exit of the basin, where the waters join another waterbody, such as a river, lake, reservoir, estuary, wetland, sea, or ocean...
area is being carried out. Water quality
Water quality
Water quality is the physical, chemical and biological characteristics of water. It is a measure of the condition of water relative to the requirements of one or more biotic species and or to any human need or purpose. It is most frequently used by reference to a set of standards against which...
in the lake appears to have improved since phosphates were removed from sewage in 1985. As of August 2007, several large hotels and businesses have stated their intention to stop using phosphate detergents, in an effort to preserve the quality of the lake water.