Glendalough Upper Lake

Lough Corrib

Lough Derg (Shannon system)

Lough Erne (Fermanagh)

Lough Inagh

Lough Leane (Killarney)

Marl Bog & Small Lakes

Pollaphuca Reservoir (Blessington Lakes)

Inland Ireland offers hearty country food: lamb, beef, trout and salmon from the lakes, with brown bread, potatoes and seasonal vegetables. Try lake trout, beef stew, soda bread and a pint in a village pub after a day on the water. Local ingredients and simple preparation let the pure Irish flavours shine through in every meal.

The Lodge at Doonbeg

The Killaloe Hotel

Lakeside Lodge

Glendalough Hotel

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.

Inland Freshwater Sites

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.

Where to Stay in Inland Freshwater Sites

Accommodation Overview

Recommended Areas

Killaloe

Galway

Enniskillen

Blessington

Laragh

Featured Hotels & Resorts

The Lodge at Doonbeg

The Killaloe Hotel

Lakeside Lodge

Glendalough Hotel