Lough Gill (Irish: Loch Gile) is a freshwater lough (lake) mainly situated in County Sligo, but partly in County Leitrim, in Ireland. It is about 8 km or 5 miles long and 2 km or 1 mile wide, and drains into the River Garavogue near Sligo Town. The picturesque lake is surrounded by wooded hills and is popular with birdwatchers, and is overlooked by Parke's Castle.
In the early historic era (5th-8th centuries), it was home to a branch of the Cálraighe. The present castle was built in the 17th century by Captain Robert Parke on the site of the former stronghold of the Uí Ruairc clann. The Uí Ruairc clan ruled the area from about the 7th century to around 952, up to the time of Oliver Cromwell. The lake contains about 20 small islands, including the famous Isle of Innisfree.
The lake is home to the Lough Gill 10 km Swim for NW Hospice, Sligo. This annual fundraiser began in 2011 raising over €34,000 to date for the Hospice also winning the coveted Irish Long Distance Swimming Association swim of the year in both 2011 and 2012. It is run by a committee made up of local swimmers and friends of the family of Neill McGarry, for whom the event trophy is dedicated. 57 swimmers completed the 2012 swim.
The first man to successfully swim the English Channel, Captain Matthew Webb, used the lake as part of his training for the feat. He was a friend of W.B. Yeats's grandfather, who lived in the area. More information on www.loughgillswim.com
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—Eric Gill (1882–1940)