Lough BeaghAbout Lough Beagh
Lough Beagh is a lake in County Donegal in northwest Ireland, situated in a steep-sided glacial valley. It forms part of the upland landscape of the Derryveagh Mountains.
The lake is noted for its remote, mountainous setting and is used for hillwalking, nature watching, and angling by visitors and locals. The shoreline is generally rugged with rock and heathland.
Lough Beagh is a glacial lake formed during the last Ice Age and sits in a classic U-shaped valley carved by ice. The lake and surrounding land feature in the estate and conservation history of the Glenveagh area.
The lake lies in the interior of County Donegal, within Glenveagh National Park and the Derryveagh Mountains, in northwestern Ireland.
- Within Glenveagh National Park: Located inside Glenveagh National Park, offering direct access to park trails and mountain scenery.
Best Time to Visit Lough Beagh
Best time: late spring to early autumn for trail access and clearer weather.
Weather & Climate near Lough Beagh
Lough Beagh's climate is classified as Oceanic - Oceanic climate with cool summers (peaking in July) and cold winters (coldest in January). Temperatures range from 2°C to 17°C. Abundant rainfall (1779 mm/year), wettest in October.
| Month | Comfort | Temp | Feels | Rain | Sky | Humidity | Wind | UV | Daylight |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | Poor | 2° - 7° | 0° | 196 mm | overcast | 90% | 6.3 m/s | 0.0 low | 7.6h |
| February | Poor | 3° - 7° | 1° | 140 mm | overcast | 89% | 6.2 m/s | 0.1 low | 9.4h |
| March | Poor | 3° - 9° | 2° | 148 mm | overcast | 88% | 6.0 m/s | 0.3 low | 11.7h |
| April | Acceptable | 5° - 11° | 5° | 105 mm | overcast | 86% | 5.1 m/s | 0.7 moderate | 14.0h |
| May | Acceptable | 7° - 14° | 10° | 95 mm | overcast | 85% | 4.8 m/s | 1.0 high | 16.0h |
| June | Good | 9° - 16° | 13° | 99 mm | overcast | 85% | 4.7 m/s | 1.2 high | 17.1h |
| July | Acceptable | 12° - 17° | 14° | 126 mm | overcast | 86% | 4.4 m/s | 1.2 high | 16.6h |
| August | Acceptable | 11° - 17° | 14° | 138 mm | overcast | 87% | 4.4 m/s | 0.9 moderate | 14.8h |
| September | Acceptable | 10° - 16° | 13° | 159 mm | overcast | 88% | 4.9 m/s | 0.5 moderate | 12.6h |
| October | Poor | 8° - 13° | 10° | 198 mm | overcast | 89% | 5.4 m/s | 0.2 low | 10.3h |
| November | Poor | 5° - 10° | 4° | 188 mm | overcast | 89% | 5.6 m/s | 0.1 low | 8.1h |
| December | Poor | 4° - 8° | 2° | 187 mm | overcast | 90% | 5.7 m/s | 0.0 low | 6.9h |
How to Get to Lough Beagh
Access is by narrow local roads from nearby towns such as Letterkenny; drive routes use regional roads off the N56. Parking is limited and trails can be boggy - sturdy footwear and local maps are recommended.
Tips for Visiting Lough Beagh
- Bring binoculars for birdwatching - the area hosts choughs and raptors.
- Park at the designated car parks on the N56 and walk the marked trails to preserve fragile bogland.
- Visit midweek outside the angling season to avoid local fishermen groups.