Lough Gur is a mystical lake in County Limerick, reported by locals to hide a magical realm beneath its glistening surface.
Lough Gur may not feature on most tourist’s lists of places to see when visiting the Emerald Isle, but believe it or not, it is one of Ireland’s most important historical sites.
Table of Contents
Ancient History at Lough Gur
Lough Gur in County Limerick lies between the towns of Herbertstown and Bruff. This beautiful lakeshore park boasts rich evidence of ancient Irish life, Neolithic dwellings, man made islands (crannógs), pillar stones, ruined castles, a large Bronze Age stone circle, and a wedge tomb.
Visiting Lough Gur is always on my “to do” list when I spend time in Ireland. One of my favorite childhood haunts, it lies less than twenty miles from our family farm. Here my imagination runs wild.
I love to recount old legends to my children. Faeries, enchantresses and wild knights inhabit these shores and waters.
Today I thought I would finally share some of last summer’s photos of this glorious spot.
Hill of Knockadoon
Lough Gur is a relatively shallow lake, with its deepest level measuring around 3.5 meters.
Lough Gur’s current shape is very different to its circular outline of ancient times. Today, meandering shores kiss the feet of surrounding hills. Before the 1840’s the lake’s water levels rose much higher.
During the time of the Great Famine in Ireland, relief works were organized in the area, with impoverished local people hired to dig channels all around the lake. As a result the lake’s water levels dropped so much the Hill of Knockadoon was no longer an island, but became connected to the shoreline.
The Hill of Knockadoon lies on its eastern side, but once formed a large island in the middle of the lough. Drainage schemes in the 1840’s lowered lake waters, revealing many of its archaeological treasures.
Grange Stone Circle and Wedge Tomb
The Interpretative Center, built in a thatched replica of a Neolithic hut, offers audiovisual overviews of the area, bringing to life over 6,000 years of archaeology and history.
“The Giants Grave” is a wedge shaped tomb dating back to around 2,500 B.C..
The interior gallery of this tomb is about 9 meters in lenth. Four large roof stones shelter the main chamber.
It is said that a local impoverished woman once lived in this tomb, probably around the time of the Irish Famine.
Grange Stone Circle is composed of 113 standing stones. Dating back to 2,200 B.C., it is the largest stone circle in Ireland. It is often called the Líos Stone Circle.
The diameter is over 50 metres.
The largest stone in the circle weighs over 40 tonnes. This mysterious place is a wealth of archaeology treasures and links the area of lough gur to neolithic times.
The largest stone in the Grange Stone Circle is called the Rannach Crom Dubh (pronounced ron-ock crom duv) and means the Staff of Black Crom.
According to Irish legend Crom Dubh was the man who brought wheat to the island of Ireland. He became stooped becasue of the weight of the wheat he carried on his back.
The representation of Crom Dubh at the Grange Circle may mean it was linked to harvest celebrations.
Another stone circle lies to the north east of this main stone circle.
These ancient monuments are over 4000 years old and are part of Ireland’s cultural heritage.
On the summit of the surrounding hill, Knockfennel, there is a ring-cairn of stones.
Upon archaeological excavation pockets of burnt human bones were found. Yikes!!!! Our ancient ancestors were a crazy bunch.
Lough Gur is one of Ireland’s most important arcahaeological sites.
Crannóg Dwellings
Over one thousand years ago the local inhabitants built Bolin island as a defense against their enemies. This artificial island is called a ‘crannóg’, from “crann” the Irish word for tree.
When under attack the farmers of Lough Gur retreated to their island by an underwater causeway, lifting the bridge to deny admission to their attackers.
The Lough Gur visitor centre is a replica of crannóg dwellings.
This is a mystical place and many consider it to be one of Ireland’s thin places.
When the lake’s water levels dropped during the 19th century, many archaeological treasures were found on the lake bed including axes, spearheads, pottery shards,
History and Myths of Lough Gur
Lough Gur is full of history and stories.
The signage around the park is excellent and provides some wonderful insight into the past at Lough Gur.
During excavation of one of Lough Gur’s ring forts a hoard of Danish silver was discovered suggesting the presence of Vikings.
Bourchier’s castle is a typical tower house with defensive balconies and a causeway guarding its approach.
It is currently listed for restoration, so hopefully government budgets will soon allow work to begin.
At the far end of the lake stands the ruins of Black Castle, one of the Desmond fortresses. It can be reached by a hill-side walk along the east side of the lake.
Stories of a mystical past abound. A sunken city is said to lie at the bottom of the lake. When the surface of the lake is still and clear, it is said that the remains of this underwater city can be seen.
Another folk tale of the lake recounts the enchanted fate of Gerald Fitzgerald, 3rd Earl of Desmond (1338 to 1398), a Chief Justice of Ireland and a poet in both Irish and French.
Supposedly he never died, but now lives beneath the waters.
Every seven years this lost Fitzgerald emerges from the lake, riding his white steed, shod with glistening silver shoes. He gallops around the shore and across the lake before returning to his watery home.
The legend foretells he will regain his mortal form when he finally wears away his horse’s silver shoes. If I ever bump into him, I must remind him to stick to the hard shores for his midnight rides.
He’ll never wear out those shoes riding across the water. When he returns for good he will restore the glory of the Desmonds.
A similar story exists about O’Donoghue Mór who rides his horse across Lough Leane, near Killarney.
Honey Fitz Grandfather of JFK
Another famous Fitzgerald with connections to this area is Honey Fitz, Mayor of Boston and grandfather of the 35th President of the United States.
The family of John Francis Fitzgerald (1863 – 1950) emigrated to Boston from this area. He was known as “Honey Fitz” because of his beautiful singing voice.
The Goddess Áine and Lough Gur
Many other folk tales exist recounting tales of the goddess Áine known to sit by the lake combing her golden tresses.
At the food to the Hill of Knockadoon, a natural rock formation is referred to as The Housekeeper’s Chair. This chair is said to belong to the fairy housekeeper who took care of a submerged castle for the Earl of Desmond. She is thought to be the Goddess
At the food to the Hill of Knockadoon, a natural rock formation is referred to as The Housekeeper’s Chair. This chair is said to belong to the fairy housekeeper who took care of a submerged castle for the Earl of Desmond. She is thought to be the Goddess
At the food to the Hill of Knockadoon, a natural rock formation is referred to as The Housekeeper’s Chair. This chair is said to belong to the fairy housekeeper who took care of a submerged castle for the Earl of Desmond. She is thought to be the Goddess Áine,
An old tale tells how she fell asleep in this rocky chair, and her golden comb was stolen by a young herdsboy.
I found a wonderful website, Voices From The Dawn, which dedicates a full post to the history and folklore of Lough Gur. Here you will find short videos of the late Tom McNamera, the storyteller of Lough Gur, recounting the mythical tales of these waters.
For anyone interested in visiting this beautiful lake, the Lough Gur website includes plenty of helpful and informative information.
If you’re the type of tourist who enjoys getting off the beaten path and visiting the treasures of hidden Ireland, then a trip to Lough Gur should feature on your list of places to see.
Wishing visitors to Ireland, this summer and always, happy, educational and exciting adventures.
Thanks for following my recipes and ramblings.
Slán agus beannacht,
(Goodbye and blessings)
Irish American Mom
Here are some more recipes and ramblings you might enjoy…
The Fairy Wood of Corkagh Park
Dolmen County Retailers
Lovely blog about a truly wonderful spot! Totally recommended when you get to visit Ireland!
Irish American Mom
I agree whole heartedly – a quiet, magical, out-of-the-way place.
All the best,
Mairead
Aimee
This sounds like a wonderful place to visit!! Thanks for sharing your beautiful pictures (and information too)!
Irish American Mom
Aimee – it may not feature on most tourists’ list of places to see, but I think it is a truly magical spot.
Best wishes,
Mairead
Debra
Our first stop on our first trip to Eire was the Grange Stone Circle at Lough Gur. We were greeted by the dairy farmer from across the lane whose cows were grazing there. “Hello, my name’s Tim Casey. Are ye lost? Or are ye wantin’ to be here?” What a wonderful way to begin our visit. Lough Gur is beautiful, & chock full of prehistoric sites. One of the quietest places I’ve ever visited. The only sounds were of nature, the rustling of leaves on the trees, the lowing of the cows, the call & songs of the dozens of bird species that call it home. Thanks Mairead for your wonderful article on this magical place.
Irish American Mom
Debra – I love the greeting and warm welcome you received from the local farmer. So nice to hear you too experienced the quiet and peace of Lough Gur.
All the best,
Mairead
maggie
Sounds like my kind of place!I have family history connecting to that site. I plan on visiting for the for the first time this summer. I can’t wait! Quiet out of the way magical places are my favorite!
Irish American Mom
Hi Maggie – Lough Gur is a very special place – there is a mystical feeling all around the lake and the stone circle nearby is fascinating. I hope you get to visit there this summer. Have a wonderful trip to Ireland – I hope you will make many wonderful magical memories during your vacation.
Best wishes,
Mairéad
Cheryl Barker
Mairead, I guess you know you’re making me want to go to Ireland! 🙂 I would love to see a castle – among other things, of course 🙂
Irish American Mom
Cheryl – there are plenty of castles to see in Ireland. Some are in ruins, some are tourist attractions and some are beautiful hotels. I hope you make it to Ireland someday.
All the best,
Mairead
[email protected]
Hi Mairead, Thanks for the picts and education about Lough Gur, seems like a nice place to spend some time and explore.
Cheers,
Brian.
Irish American Mom
Brian – It’s always nice to introduce others to Ireland’s secret treasures – those quiet, uncrowded places, off the beaten track.
All the best,
Mairead
Serena
Ireland is at the top of my travel wish list, and this looks like a wonderful place to visit! Maybe by the time I have the money to go, the government will have started renovating the castle. 😉
Irish American Mom
Serena = It will be lovely when the castle is renovated. However, at the rate the Irish government is cutting back, I think you’ll have a far better chance of saving your air fare before they’ll have acquired the necessary funds to restore the castle. But don’t worry, there are lots of beautiful old castles to visit in Ireland.
Best wishes,
Mairead
Vincent
Perhaps more apt, the Hannons ( O’h-Annon) were from that area too. Honey Fitz’s wife and cousin. 🙂
My issue with the treatment of such sites comes from the real lack of a connected theme. It would be so easy to layer the sites so you were never more than 8 miles from the next one. Now, the nearest relatively well known place would be the Rock of Cashel, 40 mile in one direction. John’s Castle/Bunratty in Limerick-ish 30 miles north. Blarney south 45 mile. And Killarney, 60 miles west.
And lets face it, Lough Gur isn’t exactly on the tip of anyones tongue .
Vincent
Oh, I meant to say the current circle in Grange is the vastly ‘smaller’ of the circles in that spot. If you view it in the OSI mapviwer for the 1840 survey you’ll see what I mean.
This might work, but I doubt it http://maps.osi.ie/publicviewer/#V1,563300,640521,6,8
Irish American Mom
Thanks so much for this map link – very interesting. I’ll have to study it further.
Mairead
Vincent
Hmm, it seems to have worked. If you switch between the Historic 6″ and the Historic 25″ you’ll see what I’m on about. The current circle is the south of the two larger ones sitting in the 6.5 acre field. I’ve a feeling the stones from the big one were moved sometime between the surveying of the two maps 1840-1906. Here are some photos I took a few years ago http://roaring40.wordpress.com/2010/10/11/lough-gur-a-prehistoric-landscape/
The last one is of the circle in the 17 acre field
Irish American Mom
Vince – The stones of the larger circles were probably moved. It’s unfortunate how many ancient monuments have been destroyed over the years. I know the round tower in Ardpatrick is only a base shell nowadays. All of the toppled original stones were taken over the years.
Your pictures of Lough Gur are spectacular. You too visited on a lovely sunny day.
All the best,
Mairéad
Irish American Mom
Vincent – What a wonderful idea. I often think it would be difficult for a tourist to stay for a whole week in one place in Ireland. The distances between attractions would grow longer and longer with each passing day. I always like to look at a place to stay on holidays as a base camp. I love when I can plan day trips all around me, somewhat in a wheel and spoke pattern, yet always returning to my base each night.
There are many places like Lough Gur around the country -these out-of-the-way treasures are barely visited by tourists.
Thanks so much for stopping by,
Mairead
Vincent
It’s the same here in East Tipperary. We have Ahenny and the oldest High Crosses. The a series of monastic sites between 7th and 13th centuries, but because there is no natural border conforming to the current political boundaries nothing is connected. Plus, local politics is entirely driven by narrow personal imperatives and to succeed in forming such plans that cross outside would be extremely difficult. So for Lough Gur to really work would require a selflessness I simply cannot realistically envisage. It’s nice to believe it might though.
Irish American Mom
Vincent – A cooperative strategic plan for Irish tourism is what’s needed and if I could vote for someone to coordinate it’s development – my vote would be for you.
Best wishes,
Mairéad.
Kevin Bolin
Hello ! My name is Kevin Bolin and my DNA shows that I am mostly of Irish descent… (which I’m proud of). Can you tell me where the name of Bolin Island comes from ? My wife and I are planning a trip to Ireland and that is one of our planned destinations. Thank you so much for taking time to read my message.
Irish American Mom
Hi Kevin – It’s lovely to hear you were able to confirm your Irish ancestry through DNA testing. Bolin Island at Lough Gur is a small island at the edge of the lake on which a crannóg existed many years ago. A crannóg (pronounced kran-owe-gh) is a an ancient fortified dwelling that was built with water surrounding it for safety and defense. I’m not certain of the meaning of Bolin. It could be related to cows since bó is the Irish word for cow. The ending linn could be associated with the lake or a pool. The name Dublin comes from Dubh Linn which means Black Pool. My guess, and it is a guess, is that Bolin may mean cow pool.
I hope you have a wonderful trip to Ireland and thanks so much for stopping by to check out my blog.
All the best,
Mairéad