Vacation rentals in Lough Eske

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Popular amenities for Lough Eske vacation rentals

Your guide to Lough Eske

All About Lough Eske

Lough Eske, or "Lake of the Fish," is a small lake nestled in Ireland's Northwest region in County Donegal. Wedged between the Blue Stack and Tawnawully Mountains, this scenic body of water is best known for its dramatic backdrops and excellent angling. It has a shoreline length of nine miles, and a maximum depth of 100 feet. As its name implies, Lough Eske is a hotbed for different species of fish, including salmon, sea trout, brown trout, grilse, autumn fish, and char. The three-mile River Eske is also great for fishing and flows southwest from Lough Eske through Donegal town.

Because of its scenic and unspoiled surroundings, the lake is a popular getaway destination, especially in the summer. You can explore one of many paths on the southwestern shores or along the newly reconstructed paths in Ardnamona Wood, or spend your day on the water. Kayaking and canoeing are popular activities here thanks to the numerous islands that can be explored along the way.

Several day walks and mountain biking trails wind through the beautiful Bluestack Mountains, and also by the beaches close to Donegal. Fifteenth-century castles dot the nearby landscape, adding to the lake’s charm.


The best time to stay in a vacation rental in Lough Eske

Fishing season runs from the first of March to the end of September and is the most popular activity in the area. The weather during this time ranges from lows in the 40s to highs in the 60s Fahrenheit. Fall is a beautiful time to visit for those who are interested in other activities such as hiking, horseback riding, and golfing, as temperatures are in the comfortable 40s to 50s Fahrenheit. The winter is slightly cooler — and also note that it gets dark early here, as Lough Eske is so far north — calling for meals in front of a warm fire at night.


Top things to do in Lough Eske

Fishing

Depending on when you visit, there are all types of fishing to be had at Lough Eske. Spawning spring salmon are best caught between early April and the end of September (catches of up to 20 pounds are not uncommon). Grilse is prevalent from June through September, and sea trout are rife between July and September. Char populates the lake en masse for roughly two weeks at the end of October and beginning of November, when fishers can walk away with 30 or 40 specimens per day.

Ardnamona Wood Nature Reserve

Ardnamona Wood Nature Reserve is a native oak woodland stretching some 46.6 hectares along the western shore of Lough Eske. It’s one of the few old oak woodlands in Ireland, and is of scientific interest for its size and age. There’s a two- kilometer great loop walk that takes you by a wet woodland and rare plants such as Wood Sage, Bluebell, and Foxglove.

Donegal Castle

Visit this beautiful and historic Jacobean-style castle, first built in 1474, and learn the history of the O’Donnell clan. The original castle burned down in the early 1600s during the Nine Years War and was rebuilt after the war by Bastille Brooks, an English captain. The castle was practically in ruins for years but was refurbished back to its former glory in the 1990s. Visit the castle to learn more about its history, and that of the surrounding area, and to wander its picturesque grounds.

Destinations to explore

  1. Airbnb
  2. Ireland
  3. County Donegal
  4. Lough Eske