Lough Gara or O'Gara
(Also known as Lough Teachet or Lough Techet)
by Patrick O'Gara
Age of the World - 2532 : The eruption of Loch Con and Loch Teachet in this year.1
Loch Techet - now Loch Gara, in which the River Boyle, in the County of Roscommon, has its source.
The lake that "baptized" Saint Patrick: "St. Patrick (when in the regions of Connaught) having resolved to visit Moylurg, passed through the gap at Coloony and moved towards the River Boyle, which takes its rise in, but on crossing this river his chariot was upset in a certain ford on it, and himself thrown into the waters, the ford is for that reason called Ath Carbuid, or the ford of the chariot, and lies near the waterfall of Eas mac nEire. The name of the ford is now forgotten in the country, but Eas mic nEire is well known, being that now called Assylin." - Annals, note at 1256, Vol. 3, P.357
Crannogs - An Irish dwelling residing on a natural or artifical island. There are several in the lake and they appear when water level is lowered, which has happened twice in the last fifty years. There are over 338 recorded in the lake. Thirty-One dug-boats, as well as many implements and ornaments were discovered during archeological excavations. See Rathtinaun also.
1256 - Rory O'Gara, Lord of Sliabh Lugha (in the County Mayo) was slain by David, son of Richard Cuisin. Hugh, the son of Felim O'Conor plundered the territory of the son of Richard Cuisin, in revenge of O'Gara, he demolished his castle, and killed all the people that were in it, and seized on all the islands of Loch Techet.*2
1285 - Rory O'Gara, Lord of Sliabh Lugha, was slain by Mac Feorais (Bermingham) on Lough O'Gara.*3
* {Are these two separate incidents or two accounts of the same incident?}
Lough O'Gara - Loch ui Gadhra - i.e. O'Gara's lake. This lake is now more usually called Lough Gara. It was anciently called Loch Techet, and received its present name from the family of O'Gara, who, after they had been driven from their original territories of Galenga and Sliabh Lugha, in the now county of Mayo, by the Jordans and Costelloes, settled in the present barony of Coolavin, in the county of Sligo, and erected a castle at Moygara, or Moy O'Gara, near the northeast extremity of this lake.
Lough Gara offers the visitor beautiful scenery, boating and fishing. Excavation of the crannogs has produced historic items. A legend states that the Golden Gates of Moygara Castle are hidden in the Lake.
The pretty village of Monasteraden is west of the Lake. Visit it on the world-wide web at http://www.monasteraden.com This site is definitely of interest to the clan, and has information on the Lake, Coolavin and surrounding features. It is mandatory to visit when you get to Ireland. (Just smile at the MacDermott claims to Coolavin).
1. Annals of the Four Masters
2. Ibid.
3. Ibid