Lough Ennell (Loch Ainninn)

A broad limestone lake near Mullingar with royal associations.

Lough Ennell lies beside the ancient royal site of Dún na Sciath and is known for clear waters, sandy shores and mayfly trout fishing. Belvedere House and its gardens overlook the eastern shore.

At a glance

• Limestone lake near Mullingar
• Beside the royal site of Dún na Sciath
• Belvedere House overlooks it

In County Westmeath

Lough Ennell is in County Westmeath, An Iarmhí in Irish, which means “west Meath”.

More in Westmeath

• The Hill of Uisneach (Uisneach): The mythical sacred centre of Ireland, where the ancient provinces were said to meet.
• Fore Abbey (Mainistir Fhobhair): A Benedictine abbey in a valley famed for its 'Seven Wonders'.
• Athlone Castle (Caisleán Bhaile Átha Luain): A Norman fortress guarding the great crossing of the Shannon.

Other places of this kind

• Lough Neagh (Loch nEathach): The largest freshwater lake in Ireland and the British Isles.
• The Lakes of Killarney (Loch Léin): Three beautiful lakes ringed by mountains and ancient woodland at the heart of Killarney National Park.
• Lough Erne (Loch Éirne): A vast island-studded lake system in County Fermanagh, dotted with early Christian sites.
• Lough Gur (Loch Gair): A horseshoe lake in County Limerick surrounded by one of Ireland's richest ancient landscapes.
• Lough Ree (Loch Rí): A great lake on the River Shannon, dotted with islands and bordering three counties.
• Strangford Lough (Loch Cuan): A vast sea lough of tidal islands and rich wildlife.

The Irish name

The Irish form of Lough Ennell is Loch Ainninn. You can hear it spoken, and take apart names like it, in the Placename Explorer. The authoritative record for any Irish place-name is logainm.ie.