The names of two upland lakes above Peterswell

Afternoon

Have you had a look at the Historical Maps on the Ordnance Survey site?

http://maps.osi.ie/publicviewer/#V2,578432,756724,0,10

Lewis' Topographical on libraryireland.ie might also refer to them:

http://www.libraryireland.com/topog/

Best wishes

Clare Doyle

Genealogy Support

Thank you Clare - the 1892 historical map does refer to Divney's Lough while the other lake is referred to as a Surface of Water!!!!!   Strange, as it is probably twice the size of Divney's.  

Thank you for all your help.

Great - glad you found it!

Clare

Genealogy Support 

Hi Exploreoutdoor

The "surface of water" is what we call Knockoura lake and it is surrounded by pine trees as the mountain around it has been planted by the forestry commission.

TobarP

TobarP - thank you very much for providing me with a name for the lake.  I had almost given up trying to find one  (the name that is!!) as there are few people in the vicinity, and those that I asked did not know.   Are there any anecdotal or locally interesting facts about the lake?  e.g. is it a popular bathing spot in the summer (or maybe popular in times gone by;  does the water level fall in summer)?  There is a river exiting it - does it have a name

Thank you again for your response - that was really helpful

Hi

River? we call it a stream haha We just called kilderry stream

My dad fished in the lake and caught eels and I know of a guy who has caught trout there too.

The people who would have all the old stories are all dead now like my grandmother who lived just the other side of the hill about 1 km away. The area around the lake was common grazing but I dont recall any stories about the lake at all from the older generation. When I say grazing we are talking about heather here and not good pasture - it was probably summer grazing when they wanted the "better" grass for making hay

You need to talk to the right people - there are alot of "new to the area" people about the place now

Because of the forestry no one had been able to get near that lake in 30 years but once they felled the trees it is easier to get there now. My brother lives nearby and takes a kayak out on it now and again.

It doesn't go too low during the summer - it was always there - I think it's more than likely that it gets bigger in the winter :-) I know thats a surprise :-) Well it is the west of Ireland and one thing about it - it rains alot

Thanks again TobarP.

 OK, I think I let my imagination run a bit regarding the amazonian dimensions of the stream. :-)  But chemical analysis would still tell you that it is composed of the exact same stuff as the Orinoco or the mighty Yangtse!! That conifer plantation may have altered its properties though, possibly more acidic than previously?

Thanks again for all of your insights - and I agree with you when it comes to trying to find  local knowledge - what has been lost with those now departed.