Lakes of County Wicklow, Ireland: The "Garden of Ireland's" Glacial Gems

County Wicklow, south of Dublin, holds a concentration of scenic lakes—mostly glacial corrie (cirque) lakes and ribbon lakes carved by the last Ice Age. Here are the notable ones.

Major Lakes

• Lough Dan: Largest (1.5 km²), "Ireland's Lake District" scenery, surrounded by Wicklow Mountains. Popular kayaking, fishing.
• Lough Tay (Guinness Lake): Iconic dark peaty water, white sand beach (imported by Guinness family), steep cliffs. Filming location (Vikings).
• Lough Bray (Upper & Lower): Twin corrie lakes beneath Kippure Mountain. Deep, cold, dramatic cliffs. Upper = 35 m deep.
• Lough Ouler: Heart-shaped corrie lake near Lugnaquilla — social media favorite.
• Lough Nahanagan: Remote corrie lake, Lugnaquilla's north face. Pristine.
• Lough Nambrackderg: Small corrie, "Lake of the Red Trout."
• Lough na Cille: "Lake of the Church" — early monastic site nearby.
• Lough Macan: Small, remote.
• Lough Owel (partly in Westmeath): Large limestone lake, trout fishery, supplies Mullingar water.
• Lough Sallagh: Small, Glenmalure Valley.

Glacial Origin

All are glacial erosional features: corries (cirques) on mountain flanks, ribbon lakes in U-shaped valleys. Formed during Last Glacial Maximum (~26–19 ka) and deglaciation.

Ecology & Use

• Fish: Brown trout (wild/stocked), Arctic char (relict in Lough Dan), perch, pike.
• Birds: Dippers, grey wagtails, goosanders, peregrines on cliffs.
• Recreation: Hiking (Wicklow Way passes many), kayaking, wild swimming, photography.
• Water Supply: Lough Owel → Mullingar; others feed Dublin reservoirs (Vartry, Poulaphouca).

Conservation

Most within Wicklow Mountains National Park (20,000 ha) or SACs/SPAs (EU Habitats/Birds Directives). Threats: afforestation (acidification), overgrazing, climate change (char vulnerability), recreation pressure.

Wicklow's lakes are not just pretty—they're glacial archives, biodiversity reservoirs, and Dublin's water towers.