According to placename lore, this refers to Oirbsen or Oirbsiu—another name for the Tuatha Dé Danann figure Manannán mac Lir—who is believed to have been a god of the sea.

[7] These have uncovered a number of objects of historical significance, which have been investigated by the Underwater Archaeology Unit of the National Monuments Service.

[8] These include Bronze Age and Iron Age vessels (dugout canoes), the "Annaghkeen Boat" being 40 ft in length and intricately carved,[9] the "Carrowmoreknock Boat", a well preserved 10th century vessel carrying three Viking battle axes,[10] and the wreck of a Victorian pleasure yacht.

[citation needed] All historic wrecks in the lough are protected, and a licence to dive them is required from the National Monuments Service.

[11] The wildlife in Lough Corrib includes birds and hawks, otters, mink, stoat, frogs, and bats.

Another unwelcome visitor is the invasive species Lagarosiphon major (also known as 'curly-leaved waterweed' or 'South African pondweed') which is destroying fish habitat and the zebra mussel.

Controversy emerged when it was revealed that funds previously earmarked to improve Galway's water system had not been spent.

This section of Lough Corrib is free from islands except for the rock on which the ancient Hen's Castle of the O'Connor's and the O'Flaherty's stands.

[17][18] Paul Féval's novel La Quittance de minuit (1846) is set in County Galway, near Lough Corrib.

[citation needed] The Irish Times states that "the unspoilt countryside around Lough Corrib provided the inspiration" for The Hounds of the Morrigan, a children's novel by Pat O'Shea.