A lake that looks like a pint of Guinness? Welcome to Lough Tay, a superb Irish lake in Ireland’s Wicklow Mountains National Park (Co. Wicklow). The lake is not only magnificent, it literally looks like a pint! Boasting a white sandy beach (which is surprising, by the way), Lough Tay has all the attributes of a stout glass: from the white foam to its dark color! It’s a really nice spot, ideal for admiring on a short hike or road trip!
Lough Tay – © dimm808
The charm of Ireland’s lakes is no legend. The proof is in Lough Tay, an emblematic lake on the island of Ireland! The latter is best admired from the top of the mountains, on the R759, along the Wicklow Way (a signposted hiking trail that passes the Sally Gap). However, it’s also possible to discover the area by car, and some tourist buses also pass through here.
The place’s charm is due above all to its geographical location: it lies exactly between Djouce Mountain and Luggala Mountain, two wild and imposing mountains that add to its beauty.
Fed by the River Cloghoge, the north side of the lake is owned by the famous Guinness family (owners of the brewery of the same name, which pumps out millions of liters in Ireland every day). A nice coincidence, especially when you consider that the lake resembles a pint of Guinness in every way, with its dark waters and white sandy beach resembling a creamy hat.
The site is superb and very well preserved. It has to be said that the owners go to great lengths to protect the lake and keep it just as it is.
That’s why fishing and boating are prohibited. But nature lovers are well catered for: the site can be explored on foot, during a pleasant stroll along the Wicklow Way. In this case, bring a good pair of shoes (suitable for hiking), a camera, a windbreaker and something to eat and drink. Feel free to improvise a little picnic on the spot while admiring the view: the place changes with the day and the climate. It’s as if you’re looking at a different lake at different times of day!
As a little anecdote, the site has been used in numerous films and TV series as a filming location. Starting with the Vikings series, where it is used to represent the village of Kattegat, home to Ragnar Lodbrok. The lake is not totally identifiable, due to the special effects (where it is presented as a fjord, with ice and a hostile environment), but it is easy to recognize for travelers who have already explored it. The lake serves as a filming location throughout the series.
In any case, we advise you to go early in the day and in good weather: you’ll see fewer people, and it’s more pleasant to take the trails when the sky is clear.
Don’t forget the Sally Gap, a mountain pass overlooking Lough Tay. Whether on foot or by car, its incredible panorama will make you feel like you’re all alone in the world! It is one of the best spots in the Wicklow Mountains National Park.
Even better: according to the Irish, it’s one of the most beautiful views in Ireland! A real postcard landscape.
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