Ballyallia Lake

Ballyallia Lake (also spelled Ballyalla) is a freshwater lake on the River Fergus, just north of the town of Ennis in County Clare. Sitting close to the village of Barefield, it is an easy trip from the town centre and has long been a favourite spot for local people looking for fresh air and quiet water close to home.

The lake is best known as a place to walk, with a looped trail running around the shore that suits family outings, gentle strolls and birdwatching alike. Anglers and nature lovers are drawn here too, and there is a car park at the lakeside as well as a pier from which boating and kayaking take place. Facilities on site are fairly limited, so it is worth bringing what you need for the day. During the summer months a local operator, Clare Water Sports, runs kayak and paddleboard sessions on the lake.

Ballyallia is also an important wildlife site. It is a recognised wetland of international importance under the Ramsar Convention and is protected as a Special Area of Conservation and a Special Protection Area for birds, as well as being managed as a wildfowl sanctuary where shooting is not permitted. Swans, ducks and other waterbirds are a common sight on the water, which makes it a rewarding place for anyone with an interest in Ireland’s wetland wildlife.