Castlefore Lough

Castlefore Lough is a mesotrophic freshwater lake in County Leitrim, Ireland. Known for good coarse fishing, the lake has limited bank fishing. The ecology of Castlefore Lough, and other county waterways, is threatened by curly waterweed, zebra mussel, and freshwater clam invasive species.

Etymology
The lake takes its name from the district of "Castlefore" (Baile Choille Fóir), meaning the "".

Geography
Castlefore Lough lies 3 km due east of Keshcarrigan village, and 4 km due west of Fenagh in south County Leitrim. The lake has a tilted cone shape, a surface-area of 0.3 km2 and depths to 6 m.

Ecology
Fish present in Castlefore Lough include "roach-bream hybrids", roach, perch, bream, tench, and pike. The pike population is the "native Irish strain" (liús meaning 'Irish pike') not the other European pike strain (gailliasc meaning 'strange or foreign fish'). The lake has stocks of pike up to 8 lbs.

Human settlement
From Prehistoric Ireland times, lake dwellers settled on a crannog at the eastern end of Castlefore Lough, with possibly two crannogs existing here. The human settlements near Castlefore lough are Keshcarrigan and Fenagh villages, and the townlands of Gubroe to the northwest, Killmacsherwell to the north, Annaghaderg to the south, and Leamanish to the southeast.

Poem
An old published poem titled "An Exile's Dream", praises the scenery around Castlefore Lough.

"I sat down to rest and fell into a slumber,

I thought I was back near my own native place,

And roaming along by the bright crystal waters.

The lovely blue waters of Castlefore Lake.

I stood for a while to admire its beauty

And turned my eyes to that sweet little space.

The Island far out where wild birds go a-nesting

On the lovely blue waters of Castlefore Lake.

Then my gaze wandered up in another direction.

To some beautiful swans, oh, what noise they did make.

They splashed and they fluttered, but seemed quite contented

On the lovely blue waters of Castlefore Lake.

A boat being near me, I took the advantage

To go for a sail to some different place,

I sailed straight across and enjoyed the fresh breezes

On the lovely blue waters of Castlefore Lake.

On the opposite side of the lake I just landed.

When I woke from my slumber in this far foreign place

I felt happy and longed for to dream once again, on

The lovely blue waters of Castlefore Lake''".