The prehistoric archaeology  of Lough Gur , Co. Limerick

 

Lough Gur is situated about 20km south-east of Limerick City. A Visitors’ Centre on the lakeshore provides information on and tours to many archaeological sites in the hinterland of the lake. Nestled among limestone hills and extinct volcanic plugs in contrast to the surrounding flat land of the Golden Vale, Lough Gur is the largest inland water body in east Limerick. It was attractive to early settlers and was accessed via the Camoge and Morningstar rivers, tributaries of the Maigue and Mulkear rivers. The light soils probably never supported a dense tree cover and it may have been relatively easy to create farmland. A ready food supply was provided by birds, eels in the lake and fish in the surrounding rivers. 

Lough Gur sits in an antique and storied landscape, continuously occupied by people for over 6,000 years. There are more than 1,000 archaeological sites, ranging in date from the Neolithic to the late medieval period, within a 5km radius of the lake. Some of these sites are monumental while others are barely perceptible on the landscape. 

 

Heritage Guides are included free with Archaeology Ireland subscriptions. Or can be purchased vis this website @ €5 each.