| Lough Gill | |
|---|---|
 |
|
| Primary outflows | River Garavogue |
| Basin countries | Ireland |
| Max. length | 8 km (5 mi) |
| Max. width | 2 km (1 mi) |
| Islands | c. 20 (Innisfree) |
Lough Gill (or Loch Gile in Irish) is a lake mainly situated in County Sligo, but partly in County Leitrim, in the Republic of Ireland. It is about 8 km (5 miles) long and 2 km (1 mile) wide and drains into the River Garavogue near Sligo Town. The picturesque lake is surrounded by wooded hills and is popular with birdwatchers. It is overlooked by the fortified manor house, Parke's Castle. The present castle was built in the 1600s by Captain Robert Parke on the site of the former stronghold of the O'Rourke (Uí Ruairc) clan. The Uí Ruairc's ruled the area from about the 7th century (they were descended from Sean Ferghal O Ruairc, King of Connacht around 952) up to the time of Oliver Cromwell. The lake contains about 20 small islands, including the romantic "The Lake Isle of Innisfree" made famous in a poem by William Butler Yeats. Hazelwood is an area on the northeast shore of the lake. St. Angela's College, Sligo is near the lake.
