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| Loughareema is also known as The Vanishing Lake. |
What if a lake visible in the morning suddenly disappeared before sunset? That extraordinary phenomenon is what happens at Loughareema, an unpredictable vanishing lake located in Northern Ireland. For centuries, this lake has given rise to various legends—from fairy tales to ghost stories—that the local community believes in because its waters can mysteriously appear and vanish. Now, scientists have revealed that behind these stories lies an extremely rare geological process.
Other Names for Loughareema: The Vanishing Lake of Northern Ireland
Loughareema is also known as “The Vanishing Lake” because its water can appear and disappear suddenly. The name Loughareema itself comes from the Irish (Gaelic) language, specifically “Loch an rith amach” or “Loch an Mhadhma,” which means “the lake that flows out,” describing its natural characteristic of being able to drain of water in a short period of time. In English, this lake is also known as “Loughaveema,” a variation that arose because English speakers had difficulty pronouncing the original Irish name. Meanwhile, local archival records note that the local community used to call it “Fairy Lough,” as the phenomenon of water mysteriously appearing and disappearing was thought to resemble magic.
Loughareema Location and Landscape in County Antrim
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| Loughareema is located in Ballyvennaght, Culfeightrin, County Antrim, Northern Ireland. |
Loughareema is located in the townland of Ballyvennaght, within the civil parish of Culfeightrin, County Antrim, Northern Ireland. This mysterious lake lies in a remote highland area, specifically between the road connecting the coastal town of Ballycastle and the village of Cushendun. The A2 highway, also known as Loughareema Road, runs above the lake. The road was built slightly higher than the lake’s surface at full water level, ensuring it remains passable by vehicles. Low walls were constructed on both sides of the road to prevent road users from falling into the lake. The A2 itself is part of the Antrim Coast Road, one of Northern Ireland’s most famous coastal routes connecting Ballycastle with Cushendun and Cushendall.
Loughareema: Size, Depth and Elevation
Loughareema is an ephemeral lake whose size and depth are never truly constant, as they depend on rainfall and the surrounding natural drainage conditions. Unlike permanent lakes, Loughareema’s water surface can expand during the rainy season, then shrink or even disappear as water flows out through underground channels. Consequently, the lake’s dimensions fluctuate throughout the year.
At full capacity, Loughareema reaches a maximum length of about 300 meters and a width of up to 150 meters, with a maximum area estimated at between 2–3 square kilometers. The lake’s depth also varies, with a maximum depth of 20–25 feet (6–7.6 m). Situated at an elevation of approximately 217–218 meters above sea level, the lake is located in a remote area of Northern Ireland. The surrounding landscape is dominated by treeless peat bogs with perpetually damp and waterlogged soil, creating a distinctive natural environment.
The Vanishing Lake Phenomenon at Loughareema
Loughareema is known as one of the most unique lakes in Northern Ireland because it can disappear and refill in a short period of time. This rare phenomenon has earned the lake the nickname “The Vanishing Lake,” as its water level can change drastically without any easily predictable pattern. One morning, Loughareema might appear as a vast lake with a shimmering water surface, but a few hours later—by noon or in the afternoon—the same area has transformed into a cracked expanse of dry mud. Conversely, a lake that was previously dry can suddenly fill with water at night.
These rapid changes make Loughareema one of the most puzzling natural phenomena in the British Isles. This dynamic has captivated scientists and tourists alike for years because it is rarely found elsewhere. Thanks to its geological uniqueness, Loughareema ranks 14th on the list of the 100 best geological sites in the British Isles, reinforcing its reputation as a natural destination that offers both scientific value and tourist appeal.
Loughareema: Underground Water and Drainage System
One of the factors that makes Loughareema so special is its unusual hydrological system. This intermittent lake has no surface outlet, so water movement occurs through underground mechanisms. Loughareema’s water originates from three small, unnamed streams flowing from the surrounding hills and peat bogs, which then fill the lake basin.
Unlike most lakes, Loughareema has no surface river flowing out of it. Water can only leave the lake through underground drainage holes (sinkholes or plugholes) located at the bottom of the lake. When these openings are active, water flows into the underground drainage system, causing the lake’s surface to shrink or even disappear in a relatively short time. Conversely, if the underground channels become blocked—resulting in more water flowing in than out—Loughareema will refill to form a vast lake.
Why Does Loughareema Disappear? The Karst System Explained
Loughareema is classified as a specific type of karst lake called a turlough—an intermittent or ephemeral lake formed on limestone or karst terrain and generally found only on the Irish mainland. The word “turlough” comes from the Irish “tuar lach,” which combines the words “tur” (dry) and “loch” (lake), meaning “dry lake.” These lakes usually fill with water in the winter or during periods of heavy rainfall. In the summer, the water recedes and seeps into the ground through cracks in the limestone.
The secret behind Loughareema’s unique phenomenon lies in the porous limestone formation (Ulster White Limestone) beneath the lake’s bed. At the bottom of Loughareema, there is a natural drainage hole that functions much like a drain in a bathtub or sink. However, this underground channel is often clogged by sediment, dust, peat fragments, and twigs carried by the water flow from the three small rivers surrounding it. When heavy rain falls in the area, water enters the basin faster than it can seep through the clogged channel. As a result, the lake can fill to capacity in just 12 to 18 hours during a storm.
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| Loughareema dried up after its water was drained into a sinkhole. |
As the water volume continues to rise, the hydrostatic pressure inside the lake increases until it reaches a critical point. The weight of hundreds of thousands of cubic meters of water eventually breaks through the natural blockage sealing the outlet, much like pulling the plug on a bathtub. Once the channel opens, the entire volume of the lake rushes into the underground cave system within hours, causing the surface of Loughareema to dry up again. The water does not actually disappear; rather, it flows about 2.5 kilometers through the underground karst system before reemerging as a spring that feeds the Carey River.
Loughareema: How Quickly Does It Fill and Drain?
1. How Long Does Loughareema Take to Dry Up and Refill?
Loughareema can dry up completely within 4 to 6 days during the dry season; however, under extreme conditions—when its outlet is not blocked—the lake can drain completely in just a few hours. Conversely, it can refill very rapidly, taking only 12 to 18 hours during a storm or heavy rainfall.
2. Factors That Affect How Quickly Loughareema Refills
How quickly the lake fills to capacity depends heavily on the intensity of the rainfall. When heavy rain falls continuously, the lake basin can refill so rapidly that it overflows onto the surrounding roads within hours. Here are several factors that influence how quickly the lake refills:
• Peat and Twigs Blocking the Natural Drainage Hole
Water flowing down from the hills carries large amounts of peat, mud, and twigs. This material acts like a bathtub plug, blocking the natural drainage holes at the bottom of the lake, causing water to pool on the surface.
• The Topography of Loughareema’s Catchment Area
The lake is located in a natural basin surrounded by high hills. During heavy rain, all the water from the hillsides flows down to a single lowest point: the lake area.
• Three Streams Feeding the Loughareema Basin
This lake receives a direct water supply from three different rivers in the surrounding area. During storms or heavy rain, the water volume from these three rivers surges dramatically at the same time, instantly flooding the lake basin.
Scientific Research into Loughareema’s Disappearing Waters
The phenomenon of Loughareema’s disappearance has long been a mystery to geologists and hydrologists. Changes in the water level that can occur within hours make this phenomenon difficult to explain through ordinary observation alone. For years, Loughareema’s unique geology has drawn scientists from various countries to Northern Ireland to study firsthand the mechanisms that cause the lake to fill up and then vanish in a short period of time. One of the researchers involved is Dr. Paul Wilson, a hydrogeologist with the British Geological Survey in Belfast. The research was conducted through a collaboration between the British Geological Survey (BGS) and the Geological Survey of Northern Ireland (GSNI) to uncover the hydrological processes occurring beneath the lake’s surface.
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| Scientists are curious to know the process behind the disappearance of Loughareema |
To obtain accurate scientific data, the research team employed two main methods based on modern technology, namely:
1. Time-Lapse Cameras for Tracking Water Level Changes
The first method uses time-lapse cameras—specialized cameras installed around the lake to continuously record changes in the water level. These recordings allow scientists to precisely observe when Loughareema begins to fill, reaches full capacity, and eventually dries up again.
2. Water Level Loggers for Monitoring Hydrological Changes
The second method utilizes water level loggers—automatic sensors placed at several strategic locations. These devices measure changes in water pressure, monitor fluctuations in the lake’s surface elevation, and calculate the flow rate of water entering the sinkhole at the lake’s bottom and exiting through the underground system toward the nearest river.
By combining these two methods, researchers have gained a deeper understanding of the lake’s water level fluctuations, which have long been difficult to predict.
The Ghost Horse-Drawn Carriage Legend of Loughareema
The tragedy of Colonel John Magee McNeill is both the most famous true story and the greatest ghost legend in Loughareema. This tragic event took place on the night of September 30, 1898. The story begins when Colonel John Magee McNeill, a retired British military officer, had just finished visiting his cousin, Captain Daniel McNeile, in the Cushendun area. He was in a great hurry to catch the 3:00 p.m. train at Ballycastle Station, so the colonel decided to take the fastest route through Loughareema. At that time, a road had been built across Loughareema, but because of its low elevation, the road was often flooded when the lake overflowed.
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| During heavy rain, Loughareema can overflow and flood the surrounding area |
For several days, heavy rain had fallen in the mountainous region. When the colonel’s horse-drawn carriage reached the Loughareema area, the lake had already overflowed so severely that it submerged the entire road. The coachman, David McNeill, stopped the carriage and hesitated to continue because the water was too deep. However, due to his stubborn nature, the Colonel shouted a firm order to keep going.
As the carriage reached the middle of the submerged road, the cold water reached the horses’ bellies. The animals panicked, bucked, and lost control. The horse-drawn carriage eventually overturned and plunged directly into a deep part of the lake. A road worker named McKendry witnessed the incident. He tried to extend a piece of wood so the Colonel could grab hold of it. However, the thick gabardine coat the Colonel was wearing had absorbed a great deal of water and become extremely heavy, dragging him down to drown along with the coachman and his two horses.
Ironically, Colonel McNeill’s own son, James Duncan McNeill, was actually traveling along the same mountain route that day on a bicycle. However, the son chose to take a detour to avoid the flooding caused by the lake’s overflow, so he arrived safely. It was James Duncan McNeill who later had to identify his father’s body after it was successfully recovered from the lake the following day.
Following this horrific tragedy, local authorities finally raised the levees and the roadbed to prevent them from being easily flooded again. This tragic event marked the beginning of the legend of the ghostly horse-drawn carriage at Loughareema. Many people claim to have heard the sound of a whip, the whinnying of frightened horses, and the sound of carriage wheels spinning rapidly in the darkness of the night, even when the road was deserted. On foggy nights or during heavy rain, some people claim to have seen the silhouette of a ghostly horse-drawn carriage speeding across the water’s surface before vanishing into the fog.
Vanishing Lakes Around the World
The phenomenon of vanishing lakes is one of nature’s wonders that demonstrates just how dynamic Earth’s hydrological systems are. Unlike permanent lakes, some lakes only appear at certain times, then dry up or even disappear entirely due to geological processes, seasonal changes, or underground drainage systems. Loughareema in Northern Ireland is one of the most famous examples because its water can vanish within hours through a natural outlet at the bottom of the lake.
However, Loughareema is not the only lake with this unique characteristic. In various parts of the world, there are lakes that also disappear periodically, although the causes vary. Some of these include Grüner See in Austria, which forms due to snowmelt; Lost Lake at Santiam Pass in the United States, which flows into an underground lava tube; Tarusan Kamang in Indonesia, which is influenced by a karst system; Lake Merzbacher in Kyrgyzstan, which dries up due to water release from a natural ice dam; Lake George in Australia, whose size fluctuates drastically depending on rainfall; Lake Cerknica in Slovenia, known as Europe’s largest intermittent lake; Lake Sentarum in Indonesia, which disappears during the dry season; and Lake Disappear in New Zealand, which changes due to local geological conditions. Although they are all known as disappearing lakes, each has its own distinct natural mechanisms, making them fascinating natural laboratories to study as well as breathtaking tourist destinations.
More than just a lake that can appear and disappear unpredictably, Loughareema is one of the best examples of an intermittent lake, demonstrating the complexity of natural geological and hydrological processes. Located in County Antrim, this vanishing lake—whose existence is influenced by an underground karst system—is also famous for the various legends that have been passed down for centuries.
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