Lough Gur

12/12/2024

And it’s here!!! The Lough Gur 2025 calendar is now available to buy from Lough Gur Visitor Centre and Kiosk, Beechinor’s in Holycross, Bruff PO and Nagle’s Eurospar in Bruff. It costs just €10 with all proceeds going to community initiatives. A huge thank you to all of you who submitted photographs for inclusion - they were just fabulous and it made selection so difficult. In the end we included 24 photographs which we hope you enjoy. It’s a fab Christmas gift, especially for those away from home. Happy Christmas from everyone at Lough Gur Development 🎅🎅

10/12/2024

09/12/2024

Reminder, Tomorrow is the last day to submit your CV 🍃

Email [email protected]

Lough Gur Visitor Centre is hiring a Visitor Services Assistant to support the team on a casual basis 🍃

For more information or to submit your CV please email [email protected]. CV's should be submitted before December 10th.

04/12/2024

is a great reminder to respect our environment! 🌿 Lough Gur is home to so many wonderful species, and by following principles, we can all help protect this special wildlife sanctuary. If you’re visiting, please stick to the paths, avoid disturbing wildlife, and take your rubbish home if the bins are full. 🐌🐦🦆

03/12/2024

Lough Gur Visitor Centre is hiring a Visitor Services Assistant to support the team on a casual basis 🍃

For more information or to submit your CV please email [email protected]. CV's should be submitted before December 10th.

29/11/2024

We have just received the latest volume of the Lough Gur Historical Society's journal. As always, it is full of delightful and diligently researched articles connecting to the heritage and history of both Lough Gur and the broader region. There will only be one printing, so when they are gone, they are gone. An ideal gift at just €20. Overseas customers who are interested in purchasing the journal should email [email protected] and we will arrange postage and payment.
We are also delighted to say that we once again have Michael Quinlan's fantastic trilogy of novels based in Lough Gur. These were out of print for several years, so it is a genuine joy to have them on our shelves again. Three beautiful stories written by on of Lough Gur's greatest champions. The trilogy costs €25.

21/11/2024

A lovely and wintry looking Knockfennell this morning!

Of course, like so many places in Ireland, Knockfennell has had various names over the years, and what its original meaning was is now a matter of much speculation. The name is first recorded in the state paper of 1200 as Finnen. Finnen was said to be the sister of Áine, though she is more likely to be a variant of the goddess herself. Finnen may well be derived from the Irish Fionn, meaning white or bright. Which Knockfennell certainly is today. Áine in much of our local folklore was often referred to as 'the White Lady.' Elsewhere it has been suggested that the name comes from Cnoc Fhionnghall, the hill of the fair - haired foreigner (i.e. a Viking), and there is an old story about a Viking army suffering a heavy defeat just north of Knockfennell, at a place called an Log Dearg (the red hollow).
Interestingly, the hill was also once known as Knocknasollear (Cnoc an tSiléir), or the hill of the cellar. This is surely linked to the Red Cellar Cave on the hills eastern slopes. Once again, this cave is linked with Áine. This name is first recorded as Knockincellor in the census of 1659. Why this name is no longer heard is hard to say, but it is rarely, if ever, used today.
Officially, the hill's name in Irish is Cnoc Finéil and this is assumed to be based upon the last name Fennell. It is not a name found locally today, or indeed in the past 200 years. Nevertheless, this interpretation cannot be discounted either.

18/11/2024

As a mark of respect to Jon Kenny, Lough Gur Visitor Centre and Kiosk will remained closed tomorrow. Our apologies for any inconvenience caused. We will reopen as usual on Wednesday 20th of November. Suaimhneas síoraí air.

16/11/2024

All of us at Lough Gur Visitor Centre are incredibly saddened to hear about the recent passing of our friend Jon Kenny. Jon was a tireless champion of Lough Gur and there is simply not enough space to write of all the help and support Jon has given the visitor centre over the years. Originally from Hospital, Jon spent much his life around the shores of Lough Gur. It was a place he dearly loved. Those of us who were fortunate enough to have known Jon personally will of course remember his great sense of humour – his razor-sharp observations, his ability to move seamlessly between accents when telling a story, that perfect comedic timing that so few truly have. Jon in full flow was truly an unstoppable force. Jon was also an actor, writer, musician, poet, composer, deep – thinker, and artist. He had an unquenchable thirst for knowledge and offered many great insights into the mysteries of this life we all live. He was a warm and generous human being. Personally, I will remember those animated conversations we had under the shadow of Knockfennell. A giant of man who will be sorely missed. Ní bheidh a leithéid arís ann gan dabht ar bith.
Our deepest sympathies to Margy, Aaron, and Leah, and indeed to all those who are feeling the pain of Jon’s departure from this life.
Ar Dheis Dé go raibh a anam dílis.

16/11/2024

All of us at Lough Gur Visitor Centre are incredibly saddened to hear about the recent passing of our friend Jon Kenny. Jon was a tireless champion of Lough Gur and there is simply not enough space to write of all the help and support Jon has given the visitor centre over the years. Originally from Hospital, Jon spent much his life around the shores of Lough Gur. It was a place he dearly loved. Those of us who were fortunate enough to have known Jon personally will of course remember his great sense of humour – his razor-sharp observations, his ability to move seamlessly between accents when telling a story, combined with that perfect comedic timing that so few truly have. Jon in full flow was truly an unstoppable force. Jon was also an actor, writer, musician, poet, composer, deep – thinker, and artist. He had an unquenchable thirst for knowledge and offered many great insights into the mysteries of this life we all live. He was a warm and generous human being. Personally, I will remember those animated conversations we had under the shadow of Knockfennell. A giant of man who will be sorely missed. Ní bheidh a leithéid arís ann gan dabht ar bith.
Our deepest sympathies to Margy, Aaron, and Leah, and indeed to all those who are feeling the pain of Jon’s departure from this life.
Ar Dheis Dé go raibh a anam dílis

15/11/2024

We had the pleasure of having Kevin Wallace from New Leaf Urban located in Kilballyowen come to Lough Gur today to give a talk on Soil and his Business for Science Week.

13/11/2024

Our friend in Lough Gur Development are in the process of creating a calendar for 2025. They are looking for photos relating to Lough Gur. If you have any that you would like to be considered for inclusion to this years calendar please send them over to [email protected] before the 17th of November.

11/11/2024

VENUE CHANGED! 🚨

Please note if you are attending the talk with Kevin Wallace New Leaf Urban on Friday November 15th that due to technical issues it will be on at the Honey Fitz Theatre V35AH99. All emails have been sent.

Tickets are still available if you would like to attend.

Visit Lough Gur Eventbrite to book today.

10/11/2024

2024 Lough Gur Historical Society Journal. 📔

Official launch night is Thursday November 21st at the Honey Fitz Theatre.

06/11/2024

Tips for Exploring with the Lough Gur Map 🗺️

Wear sturdy footwear: Some of the paths are uneven, and the terrain can be challenging, especially near the lake.

Bring binoculars: The map includes distant viewpoints, and binoculars can help spot details from afar.

Visit during solstices or equinoxes: These times hold special significance for certain sites like Grange Stone Circle and offer a chance to experience the sites as they were intended in ancient times.

Plan for a full day: There’s a lot to explore around Lough Gur, so plan to take your time.

Winter opening for the Visitor Centre, Playground and Kiosk are 10am to 4pm daily.

02/11/2024

We invite you all to “Inspirations” Art Exhibition here at Lough Gur Visitor Centre.

Exhibiting the work of 16 local artists, craftspeople, photographers & writers.

Here for 7 more days.

.ie

01/11/2024

🍂 Winter Hours Update 🍂

As the season changes, so do our hours! Starting now, Lough Gur will be open from 10:00 AM to 4:00 PM daily. Come and experience the beauty of Lough Gur’s historic landscape as it transforms with the winter season. Whether you’re here for a peaceful lakeside walk, to explore the heritage centre, or simply to enjoy the crisp air, we look forward to welcoming you.

📅 Winter Opening Hours:
🕙 10:00 AM – 4:00 PM (Daily)

Wrap up warm and see you soon at Lough Gur! 🌫️

31/10/2024

Samhain, the ancient Celtic festival marking the end of the harvest season, is a time steeped in tradition and mystery. Celebrated from October 31st to November 1st, Samhain was seen as a moment when the veil between the living and the spirit world was at its thinnest, allowing ancestors and other spirits to visit. Bonfires were lit for protection, and people wore costumes to blend in with wandering spirits. As the origins of Halloween, Samhain reminds us to honor those who came before us and embrace the cycle of life, death, and renewal.

Happy Halloween/Samhain from Lough Gur 🎃