Lough Rea (Irish: Loch Riach),[2] also Loughrea Lake, is a lake in Ireland, located south of Loughrea, County Galway.

[3] Lough Rea is stocked with three-spined stickleback, ninespine stickleback, eel, perch, brown trout, rudd and pike.

[4] In the tradition of other Dindsenchas myths, according to Irish tradition, Lough Rea was formed after a battle fought between pre-Christian deities, who took the form of deer.

The force of their battle causing a well to burst and the lake to form.

[5] Another popular piece of folklore says that there was once a town where the lake is today, but the town was submerged underneath the water.