Lough Gill

Lough Gill Loch Gile
Location	County Sligo & County Leitrim, Ireland
Coordinates	54°15′N 08°22′W
Primary outflows	River Garavogue
Max. length	8 km
Max. width	2 km
Islands	~20
Settlements	Sligo

Lough Gill (Irish: Loch Gile) is a freshwater lough (lake) mainly situated in County Sligo, but partly in County Leitrim, in Ireland. It is about 8 km or 5 miles long and 2 km or 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, and is overlooked by Parke's Castle.

In the early historic era (5th-8th centuries), it was home to a branch of the Cálraighe. The present castle was built in the 17th century by Captain Robert Parke on the site of the former stronghold of the Uí Ruairc clann. The Uí Ruairc clan ruled the area from about the 7th century to around 952, up to the time of Oliver Cromwell. The lake contains about 20 small islands, including the famous Isle of Innisfree.

See also

• List of loughs in Ireland
• Naisse mac Cithruadh