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A thriving town on the main Galway - Dublin road, it is - like many other Irish towns - expanding. For Loughrea this is possibly due to it slowly becoming a commuter town for Galway City. This is not a surprise, as the town and local environs have much to offer.
Loughrea is the cathedral town of Ireland's smallest diocese, Clonfert, and St. Brendan's Cathedral is a place of interest for students of the art of stained glass, having windows by Evie Hone and others.
One of Loughrea's most attractive features is its large lake just at the west of the town. The town itself probably takes its name from it - Loch Riach (Irish for "the grey lake"). This lake which is fed entirely by underwater springs (seven in local folklore) and is renowned for the purity of its water, as there is no inflow and the water is replenished from underneath. There is a local superstition that there is a drowning in the lake every seven years, so check the calendar if you plan to fish or swim ! (The lake has a fine stock of native trout; the angling club will provide information on them.) There has been a development of walks / paths and childrens's playgrounds to the west which is a splendid amenity.
Loughrea still has its traditional fair green, which now functions as a park as traditional fairs are no longer held.
There is a Guardai Station in the town, cash-point facilities and it is a main stop for buses to and from Dublin from the Mid-West - follow the link below for schedules. There are also recycling facilities.
Bus Éireann
Loughrea.ie - Galway County Council website for Loughrea
Other towns of County Galway
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