Lough Inagh


Lough Inagh is a freshwater lake in the Inagh Valley, in Connemara, Galway, in the west of Ireland.

Geography

Lough Inagh is located about east of Clifden on the R344 road in the Inagh Valley. The Twelve Bens range lies to the west of the lake, with Derryclare and Bencorr directly overlooking the lake. The bulk of the Maumturks range and its long central spine lies to the east of the lake, with two highest peaks of Letterbreckaun and Binn idir an Dá Log, also overlooking the Lough.
Lough Inagh is fed from several mountain streams in the area, but most importantly from the Gleninagh River that starts high up in the Gleninagh Valley on the slopes of Benbaun and Bencollaghduff, and the Tooreennacoona River. After flowing into Lough Inagh, the river flows into Derryclare Lough, and then into Ballynahinch Lake, where it eventually joins the Owenmore River where is flows into Bertraghboy Bay.

Fishing

Lough Inagh is noted for its lake and river fishing with spring salmon, grilse and sea trout, and the fishing is mostly done from boats, however, the lake is too big for rowing and an outboard motor is recommended.
The Lough and its fishing rights are privately owned and controlled by local fishing lodges in the Inagh Valley. Irish fishing author, Peter O'Reilly, said about Lough Inagh that "This lough will take more than one day to explore adequately, for it can be one of the best".

Scenic location

The lake is a popular scenic location and to the west, gives views directly into the large deep southerly corrie between Derryclare and Bencorr, as well as the smaller corrie between Bencorr and Bencorr North Top. It also looks into the Derryclare Wood and Derryclare Nature Reserve, which lie at the base of the two corries as they meet the Lough.
The northernmost end of the Lough, just beside Bencorrbeg, has views into the Gleninagh Valley, from which the Lough derives its name; the south wall of the valley is the impressive Carrot Ridge rock-climbing location, while at the head of the valley are Bencollaghduff, and the highest peak in the Twelve Bens range, Benbaun at.

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