Larne Lough, historically Lough Larne (from Irish Loch Latharna),[2] is a sea loch or inlet in County Antrim, Northern Ireland. It lies between the Islandmagee peninsula and the mainland. At its mouth is the town of Larne. It is designated as an area of special scientific interest, a special protection area, and a Ramsar site to protect the wetland environment, particularly due to the presence of certain bird species and shellfish.
| Larne Lough | |
|---|---|
 Larne Lough from the air, with Magheramorne in the foreground and Larne and Ballylumford in the background | |
  Larne Lough Location of Larne Lough | |
| Location | Larne, County Antrim, Northern Ireland |
| Coordinates | 54°49′39″N 5°47′24″W / 54.82762°N 5.79011°W |
| Basin countries | Northern Ireland |
| Designated | 4 March 1997 |
| Reference no. | 895[1] |
Name
editThe lough takes its name from the small medieval territory of Latharna meaning "descendants of Lathair". The older name for the lough was Loch Ollarbha or Inbhear nOllarbha, from Ollarbha, the ancient name of the Larne Water.
Places of interest
editChaine Memorial Tower lighthouse is on the west side of the entrance to Larne Lough.
Flora and fauna
editIn 1929, a "Coastal Survey" of the algae of the north-east of Ireland was begun when a few members of the Botanical Society in The Queen's University of Belfast investigated and mapped the distribution of the seaweeds. Among the algae recorded was Ascophyllum nodosum var. minor Turn.[3] The northern end was also surveyed.[4]
Railway line
editThe Belfast-Larne railway line brings the line alongside the shore line from Larne Harbour, Larne Town, Glynn, Magheramorne, and Ballycarry, over the section of land linking Islandmagee to Whitehead railway station then running alongside Belfast Lough via Carrickfergus and Belfast Lanyon Place to Belfast Grand Central
See also
editReferences
edit- ^ "Larne Lough". Ramsar Sites Information Service. Retrieved 25 April 2018.
- ^ "Larne Lough, County Antrim". Place Names NI.
- ^ Lynn, M.J. 1960 Coastal survey X (new series) southern end of Larne Lough, Co. Antrim. Ir. Nat. J. 13:159–163.
- ^ Lynn, M.J. 1961. Coastal survey XI (new series) northern end of Larne Lough, Co. Antrim. Ir. Nat. J. 13:223–227.