Lough Derg, County Donegal

Lake Freshwater lake with angling and scenic shores

On County Donegal’s coast, Lough Derg provides freshwater lake scenery, shoreline walks and angling; visitors come for boating, birdwatching and easy access to coastal villages and peatland landscapes.

Main image
Lough Derg, County Donegal
54.6194, -7.8714
Google Maps Apple Maps

Best Time to Visit Lough Derg, County Donegal #

Visit in summer (June-August) for the best weather and longest days, with spring and early autumn as quieter alternatives.

Summer
June-August · 12-17°C
Mild, long daylight hours ideal for boating, hiking and outdoor activities around the lough; also the busiest season.
Shoulder seasons (spring/early autumn)
May and September · 8-14°C
Quieter than midsummer with pleasant conditions for walking and birdwatching, though weather can change quickly.
Winter
December-February · 1-8°C
Cool, wet and often windy-fewer visitors and dramatic, brooding scenery, but outdoor plans may be limited by weather.

Weather & Climate near Lough Derg, County Donegal #

Climate

Lough Derg, County Donegal'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 (1817 mm/year), wettest in November.

Best Time to Visit
JuneJulyAugust
Temperature & Rainfall
Temperature Range
26°
Warmest Month
-5°
Coldest Month
Monthly Conditions

January

January is the coolest month with highs of 7°C and lows of 2°C. Significant rainfall (196 mm) and mostly overcast skies.

36 Poor

Comfort

5°
Feels Like Cold
5°C
Temperature
2° – 7°
93%
Humidity
Very Humid

Weather

196 mm
Rainfall
5.4 m/s
Wind
Light Breeze
0.0
UV Index
Low
7.7h daylight

February

February is cold with highs of 7°C and lows of 2°C. Significant rainfall (146 mm) and mostly overcast skies.

40 Poor

Comfort

5°
Feels Like Cold
5°C
Temperature
2° – 7°
92%
Humidity
Very Humid

Weather

146 mm
Rainfall
5.3 m/s
Wind
Light Breeze
0.1
UV Index
Low
9.5h daylight

March

March is cold with highs of 9°C and lows of 3°C. Significant rainfall (149 mm) and mostly overcast skies.

38 Poor

Comfort

6°
Feels Like Cold
6°C
Temperature
3° – 9°
90%
Humidity
Very Humid

Weather

149 mm
Rainfall
5.3 m/s
Wind
Light Breeze
0.3
UV Index
Low
11.7h daylight

April

April is cold with highs of 11°C and lows of 4°C. Significant rainfall (106 mm) and mostly overcast skies.

50 Acceptable

Comfort

8°
Feels Like Cold
8°C
Temperature
5° – 11°
87%
Humidity
Very Humid

Weather

106 mm
Rainfall
4.6 m/s
Wind
Light Breeze
0.7
UV Index
Moderate
13.9h daylight

May

May is cool with highs of 14°C and lows of 7°C. Significant rainfall (105 mm) and mostly overcast skies.

52 Acceptable

Comfort

10°
Feels Like Cool
10°C
Temperature
7° – 14°
85%
Humidity
Very Humid

Weather

105 mm
Rainfall
4.4 m/s
Wind
Light Breeze
1.0
UV Index
Moderate
15.8h daylight

June

June is cool with highs of 16°C and lows of 9°C. Significant rainfall (106 mm) and mostly overcast skies.

58 Acceptable

Comfort

13°
Feels Like Cool
13°C
Temperature
9° – 16°
85%
Humidity
Very Humid

Weather

106 mm
Rainfall
4.2 m/s
Wind
Light Breeze
1.2
UV Index
High
16.9h daylight

July

July is cool with highs of 17°C and lows of 11°C. Significant rainfall (120 mm) and mostly overcast skies.

58 Acceptable

Comfort

14°
Feels Like Cool
14°C
Temperature
11° – 17°
86%
Humidity
Very Humid

Weather

120 mm
Rainfall
4.0 m/s
Wind
Light Breeze
1.1
UV Index
High
16.4h daylight

August

August is cool with highs of 17°C and lows of 12°C. Significant rainfall (140 mm) and mostly overcast skies.

56 Acceptable

Comfort

14°
Feels Like Cool
14°C
Temperature
12° – 17°
87%
Humidity
Very Humid

Weather

140 mm
Rainfall
3.9 m/s
Wind
Light Breeze
0.9
UV Index
Moderate
14.7h daylight

September

September is cool with highs of 15°C and lows of 9°C. Significant rainfall (159 mm) and mostly overcast skies.

54 Acceptable

Comfort

12°
Feels Like Cool
12°C
Temperature
9° – 15°
89%
Humidity
Very Humid

Weather

159 mm
Rainfall
4.3 m/s
Wind
Light Breeze
0.5
UV Index
Moderate
12.5h daylight

October

October is cold with highs of 12°C and lows of 7°C. Significant rainfall (195 mm) and mostly overcast skies.

46 Poor

Comfort

10°
Feels Like Cold
10°C
Temperature
7° – 12°
91%
Humidity
Very Humid

Weather

195 mm
Rainfall
4.7 m/s
Wind
Light Breeze
0.2
UV Index
Low
10.3h daylight

November

November is cold with highs of 9°C and lows of 4°C. The wettest month with heavy rain (198 mm) and mostly overcast skies.

46 Poor

Comfort

7°
Feels Like Cold
7°C
Temperature
4° – 9°
93%
Humidity
Very Humid

Weather

198 mm
Rainfall
4.7 m/s
Wind
Light Breeze
0.1
UV Index
Low
8.3h daylight

December

December is cold with highs of 8°C and lows of 3°C. Significant rainfall (197 mm) and mostly overcast skies.

38 Poor

Comfort

5°
Feels Like Cold
5°C
Temperature
3° – 8°
93%
Humidity
Very Humid

Weather

197 mm
Rainfall
4.8 m/s
Wind
Light Breeze
0.0
UV Index
Low
7.1h daylight

Nearby Attractions to Lough Derg, County Donegal

Boa Island
Boa Island
Island in Lough Erne with carved stone figures
Island 11.7 km
Lough Eske
Lough Eske
Scenic lake near Donegal town, hotel nearby
Lake 13.7 km
Donegal Castle
Donegal Castle
16th-century Irish castle beside the River Eske
Castle 15.9 km
Lough Erne
Lough Erne
Complex lake system with numerous islands and waterways
Lake 21.8 km
Lough Melvin
Lough Melvin
Freshwater lake renowned for rare trout species
Lake 28.1 km
Enniskillen Castle
Enniskillen Castle
Riverside castle in Enniskillen housing local museums
Castle 33.7 km
Marble Arch Caves
Marble Arch Caves
Limestone show caves and underground rivers in karst landscape
Arch 41.3 km
Glenveagh
Glenveagh
Irish national park with 19th-century castle and gardens
Park 43.9 km