42 Lake/ River/ Ponds to Explore in Ulster

Lough Melvin is a lake in the northwest of the island of Ireland on the border between County Leitrim and County Fermanagh. It is internationally renowned for its unique range of plants and animals. Melvin is rightly famous for its salmon and trout fishing. The salmon season opens on 1 February, and spring fish are taken trolling in the Garrison area from that date and on the fly in the Rossinver Bay area from late March and especially in April.

Lough Muckno Leisure Park is situated close to the centre of the mid Monaghan town of Castleblayney. The lake measures about 4 km (2.5 mi) long and 1.0 km (0.6 mi) wide. It flows out to the Clarebane River, which connects the lake to nearby Lough Ross. The lake itself is the largest and most beautiful of Monaghan’s lakes with spectacular views of the surrounding area.

This is a beautiful catchment of water separated by small islands and drumlins. It is a much-loved spot for fishermen, but it is also home to a wonderful array of archaeological and historical gems. Perhaps most famous of these is the stunning Clogh Oughter Castle. The lakes are bounded roughly by Belturbet in the north, Cavan town to the east, Crossdoney to the south and Killeshandra to the west. It is a perfect spot for outdoor adventures.

A large natural lake of 741 hectares situated near Virginia, County Cavan. It is a proposed Natural Heritage Area and flows into the Blackwater, designated a Special Area of Conservation under the Natura 2000 wildlife habitat conservation programme. One of the iconic location for a picnic and also there are so many other options too.

Lough Sheelin is a limestone freshwater lough in Ireland located in County Westmeath, County Meath and County Cavan near the village of Finea and the town of Granard County Longford. It has an area of approximately 4500 acres . The Lough is situated in the North Midlands, on the borders of Counties Cavan, Meath and Westmeath and it is part of the River Inny system.

Lough Sillan is a lough located near the town of Shercock in County Cavan, Ireland. It was one of Ireland's worst inland drowning tragedies. In July 2004, a plaque was unveiled at the lake shore adjacent to the path used by those who died.

Milltown Lough is a lake in County Cavan and has an elevation of 107 metres. An iconic attraction in this area and there are so many things to see and do here.

Mullagh Lough is a lake in County Sligo and has an elevation of 219 metres. Mullagh Lough is situated northwest of Rockfield, south of Lough Brallee. It is one of the iconic location in this area and also you can have a small picnic here.

The Newry Canal, located in Northern Ireland, was built to link the Tyrone coalfields to the Irish Sea at Carlingford Lough near Newry. It was the first summit level canal to be built in Ireland or Great Britain. The Newry Canal Way is a 20 mile long distance route running from Portadown to Newry along the restored towpath of the former Newry Canal. This linear walk/cycle route provides a flat, level surface suitable for all.

This lake, in the centre of Monaghan town, is a beautiful amenity area with walks, seating areas, angling stands and a waterfall feature in the lake. It is one of the iconic picnic location and also there are so many htngs to see and do here.

The Cladagh River journeys down a narrow, steeply-sided gorge towards the Erne lowland. The gorge is covered by a long-established ash woodland. Red route on the attached map. The Cuilcagh Way is part of the Marble Arch Caves Global Geopark. It offers a stunning walk providing rewarding views of the breathtaking Cladagh River Gorge. You’ll have the opportunity to bask in the buzz and hum of nature, as well as view some strikingly beautiful waterfalls.

This is a tranquil lakeside destination set in the heart of the lush Clogher Valley. Ideal as a base to tour the Fermanagh Lakelands, or as a stop-over on your way to the West, the park is 15 minutes’ drive from the main town of Enniskillen, and a short walk from the village of Fivemiletown.

The Shannon Pot is the source of the majestic River Shannon - the longest river in Ireland, travelling 280km from its source in Cavan to the Shannon Estuary in Limerick. An aquifer-fed naturally fluctuating pool, it is the traditional source of the River Shannon. The site is a paradise of tranquillity and holds great magic and stories within it’s waters.

Silent Valley Reservoir in the heart of the Mourne Mountains is one of the most beautiful places in Northern Ireland. It located in the Mourne Mountains near Kilkeel, County Down in Northern Ireland. It supplies most of the water for County Down, surrounding counties and most of Belfast.

The Six Mile Water is a river in southern County Antrim, Northern Ireland. It is an indirect tributary of the River Bann, via Lough Neagh. It rises in the hills west of Larne and north of Carrickfergus and descends gently westward, flowing through or close to the communities of Ballynure, Ballyclare, Doagh, Parkgate, Templepatrick, Dunadry and Antrim into Lough Neagh. A weir exists at Ballyclare where water was diverted to the paper mill.

Spelga Reservoir is a reservoir in the townland of Spelga in the Mourne Mountains of County Down, Northern Ireland. It was formed by the Spelga Dam and sits at over 1,200 ft above sea level. It has a volume of 2,700,000 cubic metres and a catchment area of 5.423 km². It occupies an area known as Deers Meadow, and impounds the River Bann, which rises on the nearby Slieve Muck.

Spring Lough is in County Monaghan and has an elevation of 31 metres. Spring Lough is situated nearby to Corcrin Lough, and close to Corcuilloge Lough. A good picnic location and also there are so many other adventure options too.

A large sea loch or inlet in County Down, in the east of Northern Ireland. It is the largest inlet in Ireland and the British Isles, covering 150 km2. The lough is almost fully enclosed by the Ards Peninsula and is linked to the Irish Sea by a long narrow channel at its southeastern edge. It is a popular tourist destination noted for its fishing and scenery.

The Ulster Canal is a disused canal running through part of County Armagh, County Tyrone and County Fermanagh in Northern Ireland and County Monaghan in the Republic of Ireland. It was built between 1825 and 1842 and was 74 km (46 mi) long with 26 locks. It ran from Charlemont on the River Blackwater to Wattle Bridge on the River Finn, south-east of Upper Lough Erne.

Upper Lough Erne Lough is situated in County Fermanagh in the west of Northern Ireland. It is a very large and complex freshwater system. The lakes are widened sections of the River Erne, which flows north and then curves west into the Atlantic. The smaller southern lake is called the Upper Lough as it is higher up the river. The bigger northern lake is called the Lower Lough or Broad Lough.