Site: Lough Owel

Designation date: 11-06-1996

Coordinates: 53°35'N 007°23'W

Elevation: 68 m

Area: 1,032 ha

Location: Lough Owel is located northwest of the town of Mullingar in Central Ireland.

Criteria: no information available

Importance: The site supports internationally important number of Anser albifrons flavirostris (see 7IE040 through 7IE043).

Wetland Types: Tp ,O (dominant types shown in bold)

With the exception of Lough Carra in County Mayo, Lough Owel is the best example of a large, spring-fed calcareous lake in the country. The site is part of a large group of limestone lakes centred on Mullingar (see 7IE039 through 7IE043). It contains marshes and swamps.

Biological/Ecological notes: The lake and fringing wetland areas support an outstanding array of rare plant species as well as supporting bird and fish populations of considerable interest. The rocky nature of the shoreline has given rise to marginal vegetation, which is patchy and sparse. Apart from some reedswamp formed by Phragmites australis and Scirpus lacustris, occasional patches of Alnus glutinosa dominate the shoreline vegetation. There are however marsh and fen areas in the northern and southwestern corners of the lake. Bunbrosna is an area of marsh and fen, which is partially invaded by Betula pubescens and Salix spp. The area contains some rare plant species, namely Lathyrus palustris, Thelypteris palustris and Pyrola rotundifolia. Tullaghan fen is an area of flooded cutover bog, which has developed a varied fen and marsh vegetation quite similar to Bunbrosna marsh. Carex limosa, C. appropinquata and Thelypteris palustris are found here. In addition, three other rare plant species are found along the lake margins namely, Carex curta, Stellaria palustris and Hydrocharis morsus-ranae. Although Lough Owel is not noted for its wildfowl, there are small populations of Anas platyrhynchos, A. clypeata, Aythya ferina and A. fuligula present. Farmlands adjacent to the lake are feeding grounds for the goose Anser albifrons flavirostris. Lough Owel is one of the most important fishing lakes (especially for trout) in the Midlands. The possible presence of Salvelinus scharffi, a distinct fish species confined to Lough Owel and Lough Ennell, also merits interest.

Hydrological/Physical notes: Lough Owel is a large (1,008 ha) calcareous lake. It is a relatively shallow lake with a rocky, marl-covered bottom.

Human Uses: The site is used for fishing, recreation, agriculture and supply of domestic water.

Conservation Measures: The site is an EU Special Protection Area for wild birds. Bunbrosna marsh and Tullaghan fen were formerly separate Areas of Scientific Interest (ASI), but have now been subsumed into the Lough Owel Natural Heritage Area (NHA).

Adverse Factors: Possible threats to the lake include the increasing of levels of water for supply to Mullingar, overfishing, eutrophication caused by local farming practices, and pressure from recreational uses such as boating and fishing.

Site Management: No information provided.

External Link:

Based on the Ramsar Site information provided.