Lough Hyne: Ireland's First Marine Nature Reserve
Cork, Ireland
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The Rapids
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250
XP
1 day
Lough Hyne: Ireland's First Marine Nature Reserve
250 XP
Lough Hyne is a saltwater lake barely 800 metres by 600, joined to the sea by a narrow channel called the Rapids where the tide pours in and out twice a day. That constant flushing keeps the water highly oxygenated and unusually warm, and the result is a density and variety of marine life found almost nowhere else in these islands — which is why it became Ireland's first Marine Nature Reserve in 1981. Some of the seawalls around the lake and the Rapids were built as Famine relief work.
Required Activities
1
of 5
Stand at the Rapids and watch the tide pour in or out of the lake
2
of 5
Kayak on the lough — the still, warm water is the best way to see into it
3
of 5
Look into the shallows for the purple sea urchins and other species the lough is known for
4
of 5
Climb the Knockomagh Wood trail above the lake for the view down into it
5
of 5
Find the seawalls around the lough built as Great Famine relief work
Stand at the Rapids and watch the tide pour in or out of the lake
Kayak on the lough — the still, warm water is the best way to see into it
Look into the shallows for the purple sea urchins and other species the lough is known for
Climb the Knockomagh Wood trail above the lake for the view down into it
Find the seawalls around the lough built as Great Famine relief work
Before you go
The Rapids run fast and reverse with the tide — do not swim or paddle in the channel itself.
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XP Breakdown
Challenge XP
250 XP
Potential total
250 XP
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