Lough Mask

{{Short description|Lake in Counties Mayo and Galway, Ireland}}

{{Use dmy dates|date=June 2020}}

{{Use Irish English|date=June 2020}}

{{Infobox body of water

| name = Lough Mask

| native_name ={{native name|ga|Loch Measca}}

| image = Jetty on Lough Mask - geograph.org.uk - 1405148.jpg

| caption =

| image_bathymetry =

| caption_bathymetry =

| pushpin_map = Ireland

| pushpin_map_caption = Location of Lough Mask in Ireland

| location = County Mayo, County Galway

| coords = {{coord|53|37|N|9|21|W|region:IE_type:waterbody_scale:500000|display=inline,title}}

| lake_type = Limestone lake

| inflow =

| outflow =

| catchment = {{convert|938.4|km2|abbr=on}}

| basin_countries = Ireland

| length = {{convert|16.1|km|abbr=on}}

| width = {{convert|6.4|km|abbr=on}}

| area = {{convert|83.43|km2|abbr=on}}

| depth = {{convert|15|m|ft|abbr=on}}

| max-depth = {{convert|58|m|ft|abbr=on}}

| volume = {{convert|1.3|km3|acre.ft|abbr=on}}

| residence_time = 0.28

| shore =

| elevation = {{convert|20|m|abbr=on}}

| frozen =

| islands =

| cities =

| reference = {{cite web | url = http://www.epa.ie/pubs/reports/research/water/Final%20Report%20(2000-FS1-M1).pdf#page=18 | title = A Reference Based Typology and Ecological Assessment System for Irish Lakes | date = 2006 | pages = 18 | publisher = Environmental Protection Agency (Ireland) | accessdate = 20 March 2020}}

}}

Lough Mask ({{Irish place name|Loch Measca}}){{cite web | url = https://www.logainm.ie/en/1166390 | title = Loch Measca/Lough Mask | work = Placenames Database of Ireland (logainm.ie) | publisher = Department of Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht and Dublin City University | accessdate = 20 March 2020}} is a limestone lake of about {{convert|83|km2|abbr=on}} in Counties Mayo and Galway, Ireland, north of Lough Corrib. Lough Mask is the middle of the three lakes, which empty into the Corrib River, through Galway, into Galway Bay. Lough Carra flows into Lough Mask, which discharges through the Cong Canal and underground passages in the limestone bedrock of the district. The flows from the underground passages and the Cong Canal come together at the village of Cong to form the River Cong which flows into Lough Corrib. Drew, D. P. and Daly, D., Groundwater and Karstification in Mid-Galway, South Mayo and North Clare, Geological Survey of Ireland, Report Series 93/3, Dublin, 1993. Pages 21, 22, 23.

Lough Mask is the fourth largest lake, by area, in Ireland and the sixth largest lake in the island of Ireland. The eastern half of Lough Mask is shallow and contains many islands. The other half (Upper Lough Mask) is much deeper, sinking to a long trench with depths in excess of 50 metres.The Bathymetry and Origin of the Larger Lakes of Ireland Author(s): J. K. Charlesworth

Lough Mask has a mean depth of {{cvt|15|m}}, and a maximum depth of {{cvt|58|m}}.MAYO COUNTY COUNCIL TOORMAKEADY

WASTE WATER DISCHARGE Page 8 [http://www.epa.ie/licences/lic_eDMS/090151b28039ad8b.pdf] Its water volume of {{convert|1.3|km3|e6acre.ft|abbr=unit}}MAYO COUNTY COUNCIL TOO

URMAKEADY

WASTE WATER DISCHARGE Page 12 [http://www.epa.ie/licences/lic_eDMS/090151b28039ad8b.pdf] is the largest in the Republic of Ireland and the second largest on the island of Ireland (after Lough Neagh).

History

In 1338 Sir Edmond de Burgh was drowned in the lake by his cousin Sir Edmond Albanach Bourke of County Mayo, at the end of the Burke Civil War (1333–1338). He was captured at Ballinrobe and taken to Oilean-an-lara (the Earls Island) where he was killed.{{citation needed|date=March 2020}}

According to a side-note on the manuscript containing the oldest copy of 'Tóruigheacht Dhiarmada agus Ghráinne' ("The Pursuit of Diarmuid and Gráinne") (Royal Irish Academy Ms. 24.P.9), Irish scribe Dáibhídh Bacach ("lame David") Ó Duibhgeannáin was living and working on Oileán Ruadh ('Red Island') on Lough Mask in the house of Tadhg Og O Flaherty on 1 April 1651.{{citation needed|date=June 2020}}

The "Lough Mask Murders" of 1882 were a notorious incident in the Land War in which a grandfather and grandson acting as bailiffs were killed by tenant farmers and their bodies dumped in the lake.{{cite book|last=Simonsen|first=Mary Lydon|title=A Murderer's Country: Joyce County, Galway, During Ireland's Land War (1879–1882)|date=18 June 2017 |publisher=Quail Creek Publishing|isbn=9780692910610}}

Legend

According to local legend, a banshee haunts Bly Island, a small island in the lough. There have also been rumored sightings of a banshee around the shore of the lough as well as other forms of paranormal activity.{{citation needed|date=March 2020}}

Fishing and recreation

The lake is popular for its trout fishing. The World Cup Trout Fly Fishing Championship takes place annually on Lough Mask at Cushlough Bay near Ballinrobe.{{cite web| url = http://www.worldcuptroutfly.com| title = World Cup Trout Fly Fishing Championships Lough Mask. Brown Trout, Fly Fishing Irelan}}

Petersburg Outdoor Education Center is situated on the shore of the lough, close to Bly Island. The center uses the lake for numerous water sports including kayaking, canoeing and sailing.

Other

"Loch Measca" was taken as the pen-name of Séan Seoighe (John Joyce) in Eachtra múinteóra an Irish-language memoir published in 1929.{{citation needed|date=March 2020}}

See also

References

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