Editing Lough Corrib

{{Short description|Lake in the west of Ireland}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=June 2020}}
{{Use Irish English|date=June 2020}}
{{Infobox body of water
|name = Lough Corrib
|native_name ={{native name|ga|Loch Coirib}}
|image = View on Lough Corrib, south of Clonbur.jpg
|caption = View on Lough Corrib, south of [[Clonbur]]
|image_bathymetry = 
|caption_bathymetry =
| pushpin_map         = Ireland
| pushpin_map_caption = Location of Lough Corrib in Ireland
|location = [[Connacht]]
|coords = {{Coord|53|26|N|9|14|W|region:IE_type:waterbody_scale:500000|display=inline,title}}
|lake_type =
|inflow = {{ubl|[[Cregg River]]|[[River Clare]]|[[Black River (Ireland)|Black River]]}}
|outflow = [[River Corrib]]
|catchment = {{convert|3112|km2|abbr=on}}<ref>{{Cite web |title=Lake & Catchment – Corrib Beo |url=https://www.corribbeo.ie/lake-catchment/ |access-date=2023-10-14 |language=en-GB}}</ref>
|basin_countries = [[Ireland (state)|Ireland]]
|length = {{convert|43.5|km|abbr=on}}
|width = {{convert|16.1|km|abbr=on}}
|area = {{convert|176|km2|abbr=on}}
|depth = {{convert|6.5|m|ft|abbr=on}}<ref>[http://invasivespeciesireland.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/11/Case_Study_2_Lagarosiphon_major_Lough_Corrib.pdf Lagarosiphon major – An Aggressive Invasive Species in Lough Corrib]</ref>
|max-depth = {{convert|50.9|m|ft|abbr=on}}<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.anglingcharts.com |title=Traditional and GPS Fishing Maps of Lough Corrib and Lakes in the West of Ireland |date= |website=anglingcharts.com}}</ref>
|volume =
|residence_time =
|shore =
|elevation =
|islands =
|cities =
| embedded = {{Designation list
| embed = yes
| designation1 = Ramsar
| designation1_date = 7 June 1996
| designation1_number = 846<ref name=Ramsar>{{Cite web|title=Lough Corrib|website=[[Ramsar Convention|Ramsar]] Sites Information Service|url=https://rsis.ramsar.org/ris/846|access-date=25 April 2018}}</ref>}}
}}
'''Lough Corrib''' ({{IPAc-en|l|ɒ|x|_|ˈ|k|ɒr|ᵻ|b}} {{respell|lokh|_|KORR|ib}}; {{lga|Loch Coirib}}<ref name=logainm>{{cite web | url = https://www.logainm.ie/en/1166343 | title = Loch Coirib/Lough Corrib | website = Placenames Database of Ireland (logainm.ie) | publisher = [[Department of Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht|Government of Ireland - Department of Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht]] and [[Dublin City University]] | access-date = 7 March 2020}}</ref>) is a lake in the west of Ireland. The [[River Corrib]] or Galway River connects the lake to the sea at [[Galway]]. It is the largest lake within the [[Republic of Ireland]] and the second largest on the [[Ireland|island of Ireland]] (after [[Lough Neagh]]). It covers 176&nbsp;km² and lies mostly in [[County Galway]] with a small area of its northeast corner in [[County Mayo]].

The first canal on the island of Ireland was cut in the 12th century. Known as the Friar's Cut, it allowed boats to pass from Lough Corrib to the sea at Galway.<ref>{{cite web|url = http://www.bbc.co.uk/northernireland/schools/4_11/pfocus/geography/autumn1999/index.shtml | publisher = BBC Schools | title = Canals| website = BBC.co.uk | access-date = 6 January 2018}}</ref>

Lough Corrib was designated a [[Ramsar site]] in June 1996.<ref name=Ramsar/> It has also been designated a [[Special Area of Conservation]].<ref name=SAC>{{cite web |title=Lough Corrib SAC |url=https://www.npws.ie/protected-sites/sac/000297 |publisher=[[National Parks and Wildlife Service (Ireland)|National Parks and Wildlife Service]] |access-date=10 April 2025}}</ref>

== Name ==
{{lang|ga|Loch Coirib}} is a corruption of |{{lang|ga|Loch Oirbsean}}. According to placename lore, this refers to {{lang|ga|Oirbsen|italic=no}} or {{lang|ga|Oirbsiu|italic=no}}—another name for the {{lang|ga|[[Tuatha Dé Danann]]}} figure {{lang|ga|[[Manannán mac Lir]]|italic=no}}—who is believed to have been a god of the sea. In Irish, the lough is also called {{lang|ga|An Choirib}} ("the Corrib").{{citation needed|date=June 2020}}

== Marine archaeology and charts ==
Surveys have been undertaken since 2007 by a local surveyor/cartographer to create up-to-date charts of Lough Corrib.<ref>{{cite web| url = http://www.anglingcharts.com| title = AnglingCharts - up-to-date GPS and paper charts of Lough Corrib and other lakes}} </ref> These have uncovered a number of objects of historical significance, which have been investigated by the [[Underwater Archaeology]] Unit of the [[National Monument (Ireland)|National Monuments Service]].<ref>[http://www.archaeology.ie/underwater-archaeology The Underwater Archeology Unit and Ireland’s Submerged Cultural Resource] National Monuments Service</ref> These include Bronze Age and Iron Age vessels ([[dugout canoe]]s), the "Annaghkeen Boat" being 40&nbsp;ft in length and intricately carved,<ref>{{cite web | url=http://www.anglingcharts.com/corribwrecks/4500yearolddugout.html | title=Massive late Neolithic / Early Bronze age Vessel | publisher=AnglingCharts.com | access-date=20 June 2020}}</ref> the "Carrowmoreknock Boat", a well preserved 10th century vessel carrying three [[Vikings|Viking]] [[battle axe]]s,<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.anglingcharts.com/corribwrecks/thecarrowmoreknockboat.html|title = The Carrowmoreknock Boat}}</ref> and the wreck of a Victorian pleasure yacht. The lake is hence of international importance as a marine archaeological site.{{citation needed|date=January 2018}} All historic wrecks in the lough are protected, and a licence to dive them is required from the National Monuments Service.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.archaeology.ie/Licenses/DiveSurveyLicence/ |title=Dive Survey Licence |access-date=13 June 2014 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140616013015/http://www.archaeology.ie/Licenses/DiveSurveyLicence/ |archive-date=16 June 2014 }}</ref>

== Wildlife ==
The wildlife in Lough Corrib includes birds and hawks, otters, mink, stoat, frogs, and bats. Lough Corrib can be divided into two parts: a smaller shallower basin to the south and a larger deeper basin to the north. These two parts are connected by a narrow channel. In the southern and eastern parts of the lake, the lake bed is dominated by limestone bedrock covered by deposits of precipitated marl. The surrounding land is mostly pastoral farmland to the south and east and bog to the west and north.

In addition to the lake basis, some areas of scientific interest adjoining the lake, e.g. woodland, callows grassland and [[raised bog]], have been incorporated into the Lough Corrib Special Area of Conservation.<ref name=SAC/>

== Threats to ecology ==
[[File:loughcorribmap.png|thumb|A map taken from the Admiralty Chart made in 1846]]
In early 2007, large numbers of the protozoan parasite ''[[Cryptosporidium]]'' were detected in water from the lake, leading to contamination of the public water supply in [[Galway|Galway city]] and an outbreak of [[cryptosporidiosis]]. Another unwelcome visitor is the invasive species ''[[Lagarosiphon major]]'' (also known as 'curly-leaved waterweed' or 'South African pondweed') which is destroying fish habitat and the [[zebra mussel]].{{citation needed|date=October 2017}}

=== Cryptosporidium outbreak ===
On 21 March 2007, ''Cryptosporidium'' was confirmed to be present in the [[drinking water]] of [[Galway|Galway City]], [[Moycullen]], [[Oughterard]] and [[Headford]], which had been instructed six days earlier to boil their water before drinking. The water taken from Lough Corrib was likely contaminated by migration of animal and human [[faeces]].  Controversy emerged when it was revealed that funds previously earmarked to improve Galway's water system had not been spent. [[Dick Roche]], the Minister of the Environment, later announced allocation of additional funds to tackle the issue.<ref>{{cite news |author=<!--Staff writer(s); no by-line.--> |title=How the crisis unfold since March |url=https://www.irishtimes.com/news/how-the-crisis-unfolded-since-march-1.956781 |work=The Irish Times |date=21 August 2007 |access-date=16 May 2019 }}</ref> Measures included upgrading existing water treatment and filtration systems, as well as the projected importing of water from nearby Luimnagh, [[Tuam]], County Galway. This plant at Luimnagh has facilities for ''[[Cryptosporidium]]'' eradication and filtration.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.irishhealth.com/article.html?id=11449 |title=Galway water crisis is no joke |last=Long |first=Angela |website=Irish Health |access-date=16 May 2019 |archive-date=17 May 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190517013804/http://www.irishhealth.com/article.html%3Fid%3D11449 |url-status=dead }}</ref>

The Community Care Organisation, Cope, delivered bottled water to their elderly clients from 30 March 2007.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.cope.ie/CommunityCateringGalwaySpringWaterDeliverytoolderpeopleinGalwayPR.doc|title=Community Catering and Galway Spring Water partner up to deliver clean water to Galway City's older people|publisher=Cope|access-date=2007-06-18|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071119035339/http://www.cope.ie/CommunityCateringGalwaySpringWaterDeliverytoolderpeopleinGalwayPR.doc|archive-date=2007-11-19|url-status=dead}}</ref> A lobby group was formed in April 2007 to highlight the issue.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.myspace.com/galwaywatercrisis|title=Galway Water Crisis|publisher=[[MySpace]]}}</ref>

== Islands ==
[[File:Lough Corrib.jpg|thumb|Minor islands in Lough Corrib]]
While Lough Corrib is reputed to have 365 islands, a recent figure from the creator of the charts of the lake is 1,327.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.anglingcharts.com/charts/newcorribcharts.html|title=New Lough Corrib GPS Charts}}</ref> These islands include Inchagoil Island, midway between [[Cong, County Mayo|Cong]] and [[Oughterard]]. It is one of the largest of the wooded islands along Lough Corrib. The island has views of the Maumturk range, [[Joyce Country]] and the mountains of [[Connemara]]. There are some beaches and woods with walks around the island. There is evidence of an early monastic settlement, and two churches - [[Saint Patrick]]'s and the 12th century church known as the "saints" church. St. Brendan of Clonfert is also said to have spent some time on an island in this lake after returning from his travels in Britain. There are several paths around the island, an old cemetery and remains of four or five cottages which housed the few inhabitants.

Another lake island is Caislean-na-Circe, between Maam and Doon. This section of Lough Corrib is free from islands except for the rock on which the ancient [[Castlekirk|Hen's Castle]] of the O'Connor's and the O'Flaherty's stands. The castle was home of the pirate Queen [[Grace O'Malley|Gráinne O'Malley]], who lived in the time of Queen [[Elizabeth I of England]]. In 1225, the Lord Justice caused Odo O'Flatherty to give up Kirk Castle to Odo O'Connor, King of Connaught; for assurance of his fidelity. Cruises on the lough depart from [[Cong, County Mayo|Cong]], Ashford Castle, Galway City, and Oughterard.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://jwcdaily.com/countrymag/2019/03/02/town-and-castle/ |title=Town and Castle |last=Thomas |first=Sherry |date=2 March 2019 |website=Country |publisher=JWC Media |access-date=16 May 2019 }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.galway-ireland.ie/lough-corrib.htm |title=Lough Corrib Ireland |author=<!--Not stated--> |website=County Galway Guide |access-date=16 May 2019 }}</ref>

==Influence on writers==
[[Paul Féval]]'s novel ''[[La Quittance de minuit]]'' (1846) is set in [[County Galway]], near Lough Corrib.

[[William Wilde]], father of [[Oscar Wilde]], wrote a book about the lake, ''Lough Corrib, its Shores and Islands'' (1867).<ref>{{cite web|url = http://galway.net/galwayguide/history/wrwilde/ | title = William R. Wilde's "Lough Corrib" |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20030207161255/http://galway.net/galwayguide/history/wrwilde/  | archive-date = 7 February 2003 | via = Galway.net }}</ref> He built a [[Summer house|summerhouse]] on the banks of the lake, called Moytura House.{{citation needed|date=June 2020}}

''[[The Irish Times]]'' states that "the unspoilt countryside around Lough Corrib provided the inspiration" for ''[[The Hounds of the Morrigan]]'', a children's novel by [[Pat O'Shea (author)|Pat O'Shea]].<ref name="Irish Times">{{cite news|title=Writer who created a novel for children to marvel|url=https://www.irishtimes.com/news/writer-who-created-a-novel-for-children-to-marvel-1.1206714|access-date=19 October 2017|work=The Irish Times|date=19 May 2007}}</ref>

==Annalistic references==
See ''[[Annals of Inisfallen]]'' (AI)

* ''AI1027.9 Muiredach Ua Flaithbertaig besieged Cathal, son of Ruaidrí, on Inis Crema in Loch Oirbsen, and divided his land despite him.''

== See also ==
* [[Lough Mask]]
* [[Lough Carra]]
*[[List of loughs of County Mayo]]
*[[List of loughs in Ireland]]
*[[Milwaukee Cryptosporidium outbreak]]

== References ==
{{Reflist}}

== External links ==
{{Commons category}}
* [http://www.corribcruises.com Corrib Cruises]

{{Authority control}}

[[Category:Lakes of County Galway|Corrib]]
[[Category:Lakes of County Mayo|Corrib]]
[[Category:Protected areas of County Galway]]
[[Category:Ramsar sites in the Republic of Ireland|Corrib]]
[[Category:Important Bird Areas of the Republic of Ireland|Corrib]]