Lough Carra Lake
Shallow limestone lake in County Mayo
Lough Carra sits inland in Connacht and attracts anglers and boaters for its trout fisheries, scattered islands and shoreline archaeology; small lodges and local guides provide access to the lake.
Lough Carra at a Glance#
How to Get to Lough Carra#
Lough Carra is reached from the town of Castlebar (about 15-20 minutes by car) via minor county roads. Local boat hire and guided trips are available from lakeside points; check seasonal services in advance.
Tips for Visiting Lough Carra#
- Hire a boat to explore the lake's drumlin islands - they're remote and beautiful late in the afternoon.
- Look for Lough Carra's underwater archaeological sites; local guides can explain reported crannogs and submerged features.
- Combine a visit with nearby Céide Fields or Lough Mask to understand the region's rich peatland archaeology.
Best Time to Visit Lough Carra#
Summer offers easiest access for boating and angling; shoulder seasons are quieter but can be misty.
Weather & Climate near Lough Carra#
Lough Carra's climate is classified as Oceanic - Oceanic climate with mild summers (peaking in July) and cold winters (coldest in January). Temperatures range from 3°C to 19°C. Abundant rainfall (1127 mm/year), wettest in November.
| Month | Comfort | Temp | Feels | Rain | Sky | Humidity | Wind | UV | Daylight |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | Poor | 3° - 8° | 2° | 121 mm | overcast | 92% | 4.6 m/s | 0.0 low | 7.9h |
| February | Poor | 3° - 8° | 2° | 84 mm | overcast | 92% | 4.6 m/s | 0.1 low | 9.6h |
| March | Acceptable | 4° - 10° | 4° | 93 mm | overcast | 89% | 4.7 m/s | 0.4 low | 11.7h |
| April | Acceptable | 5° - 12° | 6° | 64 mm | overcast | 85% | 4.0 m/s | 0.8 moderate | 13.8h |
| May | Acceptable | 7° - 15° | 11° | 72 mm | overcast | 82% | 3.9 m/s | 1.2 high | 15.7h |
| June | Good | 10° - 17° | 13° | 64 mm | overcast | 82% | 3.7 m/s | 1.4 high | 16.7h |
| July | Good | 12° - 19° | 15° | 67 mm | overcast | 84% | 3.6 m/s | 1.2 high | 16.2h |
| August | Good | 11° - 19° | 15° | 90 mm | overcast | 85% | 3.5 m/s | 1.0 moderate | 14.6h |
| September | Good | 10° - 16° | 13° | 100 mm | overcast | 87% | 3.8 m/s | 0.7 moderate | 12.5h |
| October | Acceptable | 7° - 13° | 10° | 124 mm | overcast | 90% | 4.0 m/s | 0.3 low | 10.4h |
| November | Poor | 5° - 10° | 5° | 125 mm | overcast | 92% | 4.0 m/s | 0.1 low | 8.4h |
| December | Poor | 4° - 9° | 3° | 123 mm | overcast | 93% | 4.3 m/s | 0.0 low | 7.3h |