LOCH LÉIN
Loch Léin (Lough Leane)
Lough Leane Killarney is approximately 19 square kilometres (4,700 acres) in size. It is also the largest body of fresh water in the region.
The scenery on Lough Leane is beautiful, and you get a wonderful perspective of the surrounding mountains and islands when you are on the boat.
During the spring, you will pass many nesting sites for the swans that inhabit Lough Leane. Look out for cormorants on the rocks or one of the white-tailed eagles that now reside in Killarney National Park.
Most islands on the lake are wooded but some, like Brown, have limestone outcrops. We see Ross Castle, on the peninsula opposite, and Inisfallen island. When there is cloud, and the sun breaks through spotlighting the castle or small islands, the effect is magical.
As you exit Ross Bay, the expanse of Lough Leane becomes visible as it stretches to meet the McGillycuddy Reeks mountain range to the south west and the low hills of Aghadoe and beyond to the north.
Shelley, writing from Italy in 1818, stated that “Lake Como, exceeds anything I ever beheld in beauty, with the exception of the arbutus islands of Killarney”. Most islands on the lake are wooded but some, like Brown, have limestone outcrops.
The River Laune flows from the lake into the Dingle Bay to the northwest. Islands on Lough Leane include; Stag Island; Burnt Island; Brown Island; Mouse Island; Devils Island; Inisfallen Island.
Mountains surrounding it include; Mangerton (843m);
Torc (535m); Shehy (571m) and Tomies (735m).
Grey Heron in Killarney National Park
Ross Castle with Mangerton and Torc mountains behind
Killarney Waterbus