Lough Sheelin

Lough Sheelin Loch Síodh Linn
Location	Counties Westmeath, Meath & Cavan
Coordinates	53°48′N 7°19′W / 53.800°N 7.317°W / 53.800; -7.317Coordinates: 53°48′N 7°19′W / 53.800°N 7.317°W / 53.800; -7.317
Lake type	Freshwater lough
Primary inflows	River Inny
Basin countries	Ireland
Max. length	8 km (5.0 mi)
Max. width	4 km (2.5 mi)
Surface area	19 km2 (7.3 sq mi)
Average depth	4.4 m (14 ft)
Max. depth	15 m (49 ft)
Islands	10

Lough Sheelin (from Irish Loch Síodh Linn, meaning 'lake of the fairy pool'), in standard Irish Loch Síleann, is a limestone freshwater lough (lake) in Ireland located in County Westmeath, County Meath and County Cavan near the villages of Finnea (also spelled Finea) and Mountnugent and the town of Granard, (County Longford).

The 1900-hectare lake is naturally populated by brown trout whose native stocks have been depleted in recent years. Phosphorus originating from intensive agricultural developments has caused a progressive enrichment of the Lough's waters which has led to a substantial decrease in the number of trout. The level of phosphorus in the lake is currently being monitored and is decreasing. Zebra mussels, an invasive species, were first seen in the lake in 2000 and there has since been a huge increase in their population. There is also an abundance of common roach in the lake. A state agency, Inland Fisheries Ireland, monitors the water quality, and in conjunction with local organisations has stocked the lake with farm-reared trout.

The lake is a Special Protection Area (SPA) under the EU Bird Directive (EC/79/409)., as an important site for wintering waterfowl, supporting nationally important populations of great crested grebe, pochard, tufted duck and goldeneye.

It is also the setting of the song "Lough Sheelin Eviction", made popular by the Wolfe Tones. The song is purportedly based on an account of an eviction witnessed by Dr. Thomas Nulty, Roman Catholic bishop of Meath, in 1848 in his first year as a priest in the diocese.

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