Lough SheelinLough Sheelin at a Glance
About Lough Sheelin
Lough Sheelin is a freshwater lake in central Ireland, located in the province of Leinster and lying on the borders of counties Westmeath, Cavan and Meath. It is noted locally as an important brown trout fishery.
The lake offers low-key recreational fishing and small-boat boating; anglers target brown trout and shoreline reedbeds support waterbirds. Much of the shoreline is rural and accessed from small roads and local villages rather than large marinas.
The lake is a natural post-glacial basin that has been fished for centuries. In recent decades there have been local conservation and water-quality initiatives to support fisheries and wetland habitats.
Lough Sheelin sits in the Midlands region of Ireland within Leinster, occupying lowland countryside between the three counties noted above. The lake drains within the wider inland river catchments of central Ireland.
- Fishing: Brown trout are the principal sport fish and the lake is well known among anglers for fly fishing, especially in spring and summer.
- Birdwatching: Several small islands and reed-fringed bays concentrate birdlife and are best visited from a small boat or canoe.
Best Time to Visit Lough Sheelin
Spring and autumn are best for angling; summer is best for general sightseeing and boating.
Weather & Climate near Lough Sheelin
Lough Sheelin'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 (1132 mm/year), wettest in December.
| Month | Comfort | Temp | Feels | Rain | Sky | Humidity | Wind | UV | Daylight |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | Poor | 2° - 7° | 1° | 121 mm | overcast | 95% | 4.2 m/s | 0.0 low | 7.9h |
| February | Poor | 2° - 8° | 2° | 92 mm | overcast | 94% | 4.1 m/s | 0.2 low | 9.6h |
| March | Acceptable | 3° - 9° | 3° | 93 mm | overcast | 91% | 4.2 m/s | 0.4 low | 11.7h |
| April | Acceptable | 4° - 12° | 6° | 68 mm | overcast | 87% | 3.5 m/s | 0.8 moderate | 13.8h |
| May | Acceptable | 7° - 15° | 11° | 72 mm | overcast | 85% | 3.3 m/s | 1.2 high | 15.7h |
| June | Good | 9° - 17° | 13° | 73 mm | overcast | 84% | 3.1 m/s | 1.5 high | 16.7h |
| July | Good | 11° - 19° | 15° | 71 mm | overcast | 86% | 3.0 m/s | 1.3 high | 16.2h |
| August | Acceptable | 11° - 19° | 15° | 91 mm | overcast | 87% | 2.9 m/s | 1.1 high | 14.6h |
| September | Good | 9° - 16° | 13° | 90 mm | overcast | 89% | 3.2 m/s | 0.7 moderate | 12.5h |
| October | Acceptable | 7° - 13° | 8° | 117 mm | overcast | 92% | 3.5 m/s | 0.3 low | 10.4h |
| November | Acceptable | 4° - 10° | 4° | 121 mm | overcast | 95% | 3.6 m/s | 0.1 low | 8.4h |
| December | Poor | 3° - 8° | 2° | 123 mm | overcast | 96% | 3.9 m/s | 0.0 low | 7.3h |
How to Get to Lough Sheelin
Lough Sheelin is accessed from nearby towns such as Oldcastle and Kells; follow county roads and local signage to public car parks and boat launching sites. Regional buses serve the larger towns nearby.
Tips for Visiting Lough Sheelin
- Hire a local guide if seeking the best trout beats - the lake has long been prized by serious anglers.
- Morning mist over the lake is photogenic - photographers should aim for early starts.
- Drive the minor roads around the lake to find quiet pull‑offs and reedbed vantage points; some shorelines are private so respect signage.