Lough Derg (Shannon system)
Site Overview
Lough Derg is a deep freshwater lake on the Shannon system with a submerged forest, large pike and perch, eels and the wreck of the St. Michael barge at 10-20 m. Clear in places and popular for courses and deep training, it is a practical inland dive free of salt and swell. A great place to build skills between coastal trips, with history layered in the silt. The site rewards careful planning, good buoyancy and a respect for the power of the Atlantic, and remains a favourite among Irish divers. The site rewards careful planning, good buoyancy and a respect for the power of the Atlantic, and remains a favourite among Irish divers. The site rewards careful planning, good buoyancy and a respect for the power of the Atlantic, and remains a favourite among Irish divers. The site rewards careful planning, good buoyancy and a respect for the power of the Atlantic, and remains a favourite among Irish divers. The site rewards careful planning, good buoyancy and a respect for the power of the Atlantic, and remains a favourite among Irish divers. The site rewards careful planning, good buoyancy and a respect for the power of the Atlantic, and remains a favourite among Irish divers. The site rewards careful planning, good buoyancy and a respect for the power of the Atlantic, and remains a favourite among Irish divers.
Dive Briefing
"Plan the dive around the barge or submerged forest and brief on visibility and silt. Descend slowly, control buoyancy to avoid kicking up mud, and use a torch for the structure and fish. Watch for boat traffic on the busy lake, and ascend with a safety stop. Follow your guide closely, monitor your thermal comfort and complete a safety stop before exiting at the designated point. Follow your guide closely, monitor your thermal comfort and complete a safety stop before exiting at the designated point. Follow your guide closely, monitor your thermal comfort and complete a safety stop before exiting at the designated point. Follow your guide closely, monitor your thermal comfort and complete a safety stop before exiting at the designated point. Follow your guide closely, monitor your thermal comfort and complete a safety stop before exiting at the designated point. Follow your guide closely, monitor your thermal comfort and complete a safety stop before exiting at the designated point."
Signature Marine Life
Pike
Esox lucius
Best: Year-round
Perch
Perca fluviatilis
Best: Year-round
Eel
Anguilla anguilla
Best: Year-round
Roach
Rutilus rutilus
Best: Year-round
St. Michael Barge
Wreck (barge)
Best: Year-round
Safety & Hazards
- Limited visibility
- Cold deep water
- Silt suspension
- Boat traffic
- Entanglement
- No surge
Traveler Notes
Who is this for?
Ideal for open-water students, deep-training and refresher dives wanting a calm freshwater site. Suits all levels in calm conditions. It suits confident cold-water divers who value dramatic scenery, wrecks and rich invertebrate life over tropical abundance. It suits confident cold-water divers who value dramatic scenery, wrecks and rich invertebrate life over tropical abundance. It suits confident cold-water divers who value dramatic scenery, wrecks and rich invertebrate life over tropical abundance. It suits confident cold-water divers who value dramatic scenery, wrecks and rich invertebrate life over tropical abundance. It suits confident cold-water divers who value dramatic scenery, wrecks and rich invertebrate life over tropical abundance.
Quick Stats
Dive Logistics
- Lough Derg Dive
Photography Info
Best for: wide_angle, macro
Nearby Stay
The Lodge at Doonbeg
Doonbeg • 20km away
The Killaloe Hotel
Killaloe • 5km away