Our Local Turlough

Rahasane Turlough is the name given to the largest surviving Turlough in Ireland. It is down the road from K.N.S. It is situated on the Dunkelin river, west of Craughwell. It consists of two basins which are connected  at times of flood but separate as the waters drain away. In summer the lake empties and the basins are grazed by cattle, horses and sheep.

What is the Turlough?

• A turlough is a disappearing lake. 
• It is mostly found in limestone places in Ireland west of the river Shannon. 
• The name comes from the Irish words 'Tuar' meaning dry and 'Lough' meaning lake.
•  They are almost unique to Ireland. 
• The turloughs usually flood in autumn and they usually dry out between April and July when the weather is dry. 

Rahasane Turlough:

•  Is a karst (exposed limestone) lake. 
• There is no surface outlet and it is surrounded on all sides by rising land.
• Most of the Turlough is open, flat and grassy land with large rocks scattered around the floor. 
• It has an active swallow hole system. Some swallow holes can reach 5 meters in diameter and are 2-3 meters deep. 
• Rahasane Turlough covers 257 hectares.

Wildlife in the Turlough:
Is famous for the wintering wildlife populations. Which include....

• Whooper and Bewicks swans.
• Greenland, white fronted geese.
• Mallard ducks.
• Black terns.
• Lapwing .
• Redshank.
• Snipe.
• Dunlin.

Rahasane is important to Europe:

• Rahasane Turlough is a special area of conservation under the habitats directive which is an important European Law that protects vulnerable wildlife which includes animals and plant species.
• The Irish government is obliged to protect and maintain the environment in and around the Turlough.
• It implements laws and enforces regulations to ensure the ecological integrity of the site. 

By Tiernan.