Carlingford Lough is a sea lough located between Counties Armagh and Down in Northern Ireland and County Louth in Ireland.
It is approximately 15km long and 3.7km at its widest point. It covers an area of 50km2 with an associated drainage catchment of approximately 475km2. The Newry (or Clanrye) River is the main freshwater flow into the lough.
The diversity of coastal habitats and the species present in the habitats of Carlingford Lough have made it of international importance. Areas within the lough have been designated as protected sites. The main species cultivated are pacific oysters and blue mussels under aquaculture.
Carlingford Lough is used for a variety of water sports, recreational fishing and bird/nature watching. Land in the vicinity of the lough supports different types of forest, belts of pasture, natural grassland, moors, heath lands and agricultural areas.
Carlingford Lough Catchment Area
Construction of a new inlet works to address loss of untreated wastewater and new sludge tanks to alleviate overloading problems. Further phase of work will be completed by NI Water.
Carlingford Lough Catchment Area
Installation of new screens on the incoming sewer and new overflow screen to reduce the impact of sewage load spilling to the adjacent Newry River.
Carlingford Lough Catchment Area
Upgrade capacity of the network to transfer more wastewater to a new treatment plant currently being designed separately by Irish Water.
