Diving Ireland’s Inland Freshwater Sites

About Inland Freshwater Sites

Ireland’s inland freshwater lakes offer a different kind of diving: clear limestone water, submerged forests, flooded villages and ancient archaeology, all free of salt, surge and the Atlantic’s moods. Lough Derg and Lough Corrib hold submerged forests, crannógs and wrecks, while Lough Erne’s flooded drumlins make a calm training ground. Lough Leane, Pollaphuca Reservoir and Glendalough add submerged structures, bridges and mountain scenery, and Lough Inagh is a deep, remote technical-style lake. Ideal for courses, deep training and altitude-style dives, these sites are accessible year-round and perfect for building skills between coastal trips. The region rewards careful planning and a drysuit, and its sites suit a range of cold-water experience levels.

Highlights

• ✓Lough Derg: submerged forest, the St. Michael barge and pike
• ✓Lough Corrib: clear limestone water with crannógs and ruins
• ✓Lough Erne: flooded drumlin lake, ideal for training
• ✓Pollaphuca Reservoir: flooded village, bridges and forests
• ✓Lough Inagh & Glendalough: remote, scenic freshwater dives

Getting There

The lakes are reached by car from Dublin, Galway, Limerick or Killarney. Lough Derg spans Tipperary/Clare/Galway, Corrib sits by Galway, Erne in Fermanagh, and Pollaphuca and Glendalough are near Wicklow. Shore or slipway entries suit most sites.