CONTINUE ON M4 TO WESTMEATH. TAKE EXIT 15 FROM N4 TO N52.

Lough Ree or “Lake of the Kings” is the second largest lake on the river Shannon after Lough Derg. It stretches almost 30km from Lanesborough in County Longford to Athlone in County Westmeath. The small town of Lanesborough can be found at the northern end of the lake and attracts fishermen from all over Europe to its shores.

Legend has it that Queen Maeve of Connacht lived and died on one of the existing islands of Lough Ree known as Inchcleraun. Inchcleraun, also called Quaker Island, is home to several monastic remains. Over the years there have even been claimed sightings of a lake monster in Lough Ree.

The author: Nick Fitzgerald