Gougane Barra

About this place

Gougane Barra is a small lake and mountain valley in the west of County Cork, Ireland, near the village of Ballingeary and about 33 km north of the West Cork hub in a straight line. The lake is the source of the River Lee, which flows east to Cork city. Local tradition links the place with Saint Finbarr in the 6th century, and a small stone chapel stands on a little island in the lake, reached by a short causeway. Around the lake lies a forest park of about 1.42 square kilometres, planted from 1938 onwards and home to about 20 tree species. Steep mountains enclose the lake on three sides, so it seems to sit at the bottom of a green bowl. After rain, streams pour down the rock faces, the forest and sky reflect on the calm water, and moss and ferns cover the sides of the valley. Waymarked walking trails start from the forest car park and run through the conifers and up the slopes, some climbing to viewpoints over the lake; there are about 10 km of hill walks and a 5 km forest drive. Visitors walk along the shore and cross to the island. Mornings and the months outside the summer holidays are quieter.