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Lough Gowna

Lake

A large lake on the Longford-Cavan border used for coarse and game fishing, boating and lakeside cottages.

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In this guide

Lough Gowna essentials

Address: Lough Gowna, Counties Longford and Cavan, Leinster, Ireland
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About Lough Gowna

Lough Gowna is a lake located on the border area between counties Longford and Cavan in the Irish midlands. The lake has a complex, island-studded shoreline.

The lake is well known locally for coarse and game fishing and for its scenic island and peninsula features that attract small-boat visitors. Settlements and roads sit around parts of the shore while other areas are more remote.

Lough Gowna occupies a shallow post-glacial basin and its irregular shoreline is a result of drowned drumlin and glacial deposition patterns common in the region.

Geographically it straddles the counties of Longford and Cavan in the province of Leinster, in the central-eastern part of Ireland.

  • Irregular shoreline and islands: Marked by a highly indented shoreline with many islands and inlets, offering a varied shoreline for anglers and boaters.
When to Go

Best Time to Visit Lough Gowna

Best time: late spring through early autumn for full access and angling.

Summer
June-August · 12-20°C
Ideal for boating and fishing; islands and reedbeds are most accessible.
Autumn
September-October · 8-15°C
Migratory birds pass through and the light turns rich and low.
Winter
November-February · -2-8°C
Quieter; sections may ice lightly in hard freezes.

Weather & Climate near Lough Gowna

Climate

Lough Gowna's climate is classified as Oceanic - Oceanic climate with mild summers (peaking in July) and cold winters (coldest in January). Temperatures range from 2°C to 19°C. Abundant rainfall (1086 mm/year), wettest in January.

Air Quality: AQI 30 Good
Best Time to Visit
JuneJulySeptember
Temperature & Rainfall
Temperature Range
27°
Warmest Month
-7°
Coldest Month
Monthly Conditions
Month Comfort Temp Feels Rain Sky Humidity Wind UV Daylight
January Poor 2° - 7° 1° 118 mm overcast 95% 4.2 m/s 0.0 low 7.9h
February Poor 2° - 8° 2° 83 mm overcast 94% 4.2 m/s 0.2 low 9.6h
March Acceptable 3° - 10° 3° 88 mm overcast 91% 4.2 m/s 0.4 low 11.7h
April Acceptable 4° - 12° 6° 65 mm overcast 87% 3.6 m/s 0.8 moderate 13.8h
May Acceptable 7° - 15° 11° 70 mm overcast 85% 3.4 m/s 1.2 high 15.7h
June Good 9° - 17° 13° 71 mm overcast 84% 3.2 m/s 1.5 high 16.7h
July Good 11° - 19° 15° 70 mm overcast 86% 3.1 m/s 1.3 high 16.2h
August Good 11° - 19° 15° 89 mm overcast 87% 3.0 m/s 1.1 high 14.6h
September Good 9° - 16° 13° 90 mm overcast 89% 3.3 m/s 0.7 moderate 12.5h
October Acceptable 7° - 13° 8° 113 mm overcast 92% 3.6 m/s 0.3 low 10.4h
November Acceptable 4° - 10° 4° 115 mm overcast 95% 3.7 m/s 0.1 low 8.4h
December Poor 3° - 8° 2° 114 mm overcast 96% 3.9 m/s 0.0 low 7.3h
Getting There & Around

How to Get to Lough Gowna

Lough Gowna is accessible from Longford (approx. 20-30 minutes by car) via regional roads R194 and local county roads. Parking and boat-launch facilities are scattered; travelers should plan logistics in advance and respect private shorelines.

Tips for Visiting Lough Gowna

  • Launch small boats from the official slipways; local angling clubs manage many beats and provide up-to-date information.
  • Stop at the village of Granard or Longford town for supplies - facilities around the lake are sparse.