Lough Carra

Lough Carra (also Gara; Irish: Loch Ceara) is situated in County Mayo in the west of Ireland and has a size of about 1560 hectares and is approximately 10 km long and varies in width between 400 m and three kilometers. It is located in the northeast of Lough Mask, with which it is connected by the Keel Canal.

It is the largest Mergelsee in Ireland. Lakes were distributed after the Ice Age in Ireland, but many marshy or swampy over time. The lake water comes mainly from sources that its depth is 1.5 to 3.0 m. Only the " black hole " (at the Archaeological Trail ) is 18 m deep and of great interest. His frayed outline produced dozens of peninsulas and islands. Through the strait between Iceland and the Church Promontory Fort Doon the lake is almost split in two. The west bank is in a limestone area. The purity and color of the water is produced by the marl. The chalk prevents the growth of aquatic vegetation, even reed is rare. Lough Carras flora is of international significance and the bird life is - similar to the Burren - of zoological interest.

The Irish poet George Moore (1852-1933) is buried on the island in Lough Carra Castle Iceland.

Near the lake Ballintubber Abbey lie and the churches of the Carmelite Priory of Burriscarra, where the Archaeological Trail runs along as well as at Doon.