Carlingford Lough
Carlingford Lough is a glacial fjord or sea lough that forms part of the border between the United Kingdom and the Republic of Ireland. On its northern shore is County Down (United Kingdom) and on its southern shore is County Louth (Irish Republic). At its extreme interior angle (the northwest corner) it is fed by the Newry River and the Newry Canal.
The name Carlingford is derived from the Old Norse Kerlingfjǫrðr, whch means "Hag's fjord". Historically in Irish was called Cuan Snámh-Aighneach, Snámh-Aighneach or Cuan Cairlinne.[1] An older English name was Nury (Newry) Bay.[2]
Contents
Geography
The Newry River and the Newry Canal link the Lough to the nearby city of Newry (the Canal continues on towards the River Bann and Lough Neagh; the river, under the name River Clanrye, loops around County Down). The only other known glacial fjords in Ireland are Lough Swilly and Killary Harbour.[3]
On the northern coast, in County Down, are the coastal towns of Warrenpoint and Rostrevor, backed by the Mourne Mountains. On the southern coast are Omeath, Carlingford and Greenore backed by the Cooley Mountains, all on the Cooley Peninsula in County Louth.
Tourism
The area has been a popular tourist destination since Victorian days when the railway between Dublin and Belfast was opened. Lying approximately half way between the two cities, the easy access to the area combined with its scenery and sheltered location are still important factors in its popularity today.
This is where the "Mountains of Mourne sweep down to the Sea"' and together with the Sleve Foy ridge on the County Louth shore of the lough they offer scenic drives, forest parks and many miles of good footpaths and trails to explore. Rambling, hillwalking and climbing are popular, with local outdoor education centers offering courses and activity holidays. It's a similar story on the water, with marinas in Carlingford and Warrenpoint. Craft of various types can be hired at both locations, or the visitor can take a cruise on one of several tour vessels that operate during the peak season.
Culturally, there is a varied offering of events and festivals. Highlights include the Carlingford Oyster Festival, Newry Arts Festival, The "Maiden of the Mournes" in Warrenpoint, Rostrevor's "Fiddlers Green International Folk Festival"' and the Mourne Walking Festival which involves a wide programme of events at a variety of locations. The majority of these festivals are free, although bookings and or entry fees may be payable for some events. More informal entertainment is widely available throughout the year in hotels and bars.
Accommodation includes award winning hotels, B&Bs, self-catering holiday cottages, and campsites. Early booking is always advisable during holiday periods as even the campsites are often full to capacity. Opportunities to eat out are largely confined to the Hotels, small restaurants and local bars (although many smaller bars do not serve meals), but there is generally a good balance between quality and value for money.
In 2008, the area was designated a European Destination of Excellence (EDEN), and continuing investment in infrastructure, services and facilities on both sides of the border is assured.
Flora and fauna
The northern shores have extensive mudflats and salt marshes which provide winter feeding areas for the Pale-bellied Brent Goose, Branta bernicla hrota. At the mouth of the lough are several small rock and shingle islands which are breeding areas for terns that feed in its shallow waters.
Ramsar site
The Carlingford Lough Ramsar site (wetlands of international importance designated under the Ramsar Convention), is 2,052.23 acres in area, at Latitude 54° 03' 00" N and Longitude 06° 07' 00" W. It was designated a Ramsar site on 9 March 1998. It is a cross-border site. The northern shore is in Northern Ireland and includes the most significant mudflats in the lough, and an area of salt marsh. The southern shore is in the republic of Ireland. At the mouth of the lough are several small rock and shingle islands which are of importance to terns.[4]
The Ramsar Site lies between Killowen Point and Soldiers Point on the northern shores of Carlingford Lough and the landward boundary coincides entirely with that of the Carlingford Lough Area of Special Scientific Interest and the Carlingford Lough Special Protection Area.[5]
The site qualified under Criterion 2 of the Ramsar Convention because it supports important groups of vulnerable and endangered Irish Red Data Book bird species. It supports nationally important breeding populations of Common Tern. Roseate Terns returned to the site after an absence of six years with two breeding pairs recorded in 1997. It has also supported nationally important numbers of Arctic Tern.[4] It also qualified under Criterion 3c for supporting internationally important breeding populations of Sandwich Tern and of overwintering Light-bellied Brent Geese.[5]
Railway Access
Newry is the nearest station located on the Dublin-Belfast railway line with trains running on the Enterprise between Belfast Central, Portadown and Dublin Connolly, whilst other trains may call at additional stations enroute to Belfast Great Victoria Street.
Outside links
- Official Carlingford Online website
- Links to Omeath and Carlingford area road map on Omeath Online
- Information about the Connemara-Retriever disaster - BBC
- Landscapes Unlocked - Aerial footage from the BBC Sky High series explaining the physical, social and economic geography of Northern Ireland
References
- ↑ Annals of the Kingdom of Ireland: Index (1856)
- ↑ Placenames Database of Ireland: Carlingford Lough (see archival records)
- ↑ Whittow, J.B. Geology and Scenery in Ireland. Penguin, 1974.
- ↑ 4.0 4.1 "Designated and Proposed Ramsar sites in Northern Ireland". Joint Nature Conservation Committee. http://www.jncc.gov.uk/pdf/RIS/UK12004.pdf. Retrieved 2008-07-07.
- ↑ 5.0 5.1 "Carlingford Lough Ramsar site". NI Environment Agency. http://www.ni-environment.gov.uk/biodiversity/designated-areas/ramsar/ramsar_carlingfordough.htm. Retrieved 2008-07-07.
