Which lake is the largest in the Republic of Ireland?

Lough Corrib is the largest lake in the Republic of Ireland.

The lake lies mainly in County Galway, with a small section extending into County Mayo. It covers about 176 square kilometres and drains southward through the River Corrib, which flows through Galway city to Galway Bay and the Atlantic Ocean. That outlet gives the lake an important geographic connection between inland waterways and the sea.

Lough Corrib is the second-largest lake on the island of Ireland overall. The larger Lough Neagh is in Northern Ireland, so it is outside the Republic of Ireland; this political-geographic distinction is the reason quiz questions often specify the Republic. Lough Corrib was designated a Ramsar wetland in 1996 and is also a Special Area of Conservation.

The lake is famous for its islands as well as its fishing and scenery. Traditional accounts often say it has 365 islands, one for every day of the year, although modern charting has produced a much higher count. Inchagoil Island contains remains of an early monastic settlement.