The Lakes of the MIdlands is amongst the cleanest bathing waters revealed in new EPA water quality report. According to the Environment Protection Agency (EPA)’s Bathing Water Quality Report 2024, the quality of the majority of our bathing waters is rated either “excellent” or “good”.

Midlands Bathing Water Status

The latest Bathing Water Quality report gave both Lough Lene and Lough Owel in County Westmeath an ‘excellent’ rating, while Lough Ennell’s bathing water was rated as ‘good’.

Some 96% of the 151 identified bathing waters in Ireland met or exceeded the minimum required standard of “sufficient”. A total of 122 bathing waters were rated as “excellent quality”, the highest number since 2014 — when the “excellent” classification was introduced — which is an increase of eight since 2023. According to Eimear Cotter (Director of the agency’s office of evidence and assessment) “we have the highest number of ‘excellent’ classifications for bathing waters since 2014.” However, she said heavy rainfall during another bathing season “emphasised the need to build climate resilience into the management of bathing waters”. She said “Local authorities must step up their efforts to improve their understanding of causes of pollution from heavy rainfall and how this impacts beaches.”

The Cut, Lough Lene

Getting There

The Cut at Lough Lene is situated just off the Lake Road in Collinstown.  From Collinstown village, travel 1.8km out the Lake Road, towards Oldcastle, and then turn left. You will have reached your wonderful destination. 

Facilities

There is ample car parking, changing facilities and public toilets at The Cut.  Enjoy the views, a reluctant dip or a lovely swim in the beautiful lake. 

Lough Owel

Lough Owel, one of the largest lakes in Westmeath, is situated on the boundaries of Mullingar. Frequented by freshwater enthusiasts all year round the lakes is an old style swimming spot with a concrete jetty leading out to a diving board. You can access the water via old iron ladder, or for those who are a little braver, dive straight onto the water via the diving board. There is ample tiered concrete seating at the edge of the lake.

PERMISSION TO FISH

This fishery is part of Inland Fisheries Ireland’s ‘Midland Fisheries Group’ of managed waters and anglers require a fishing permit (ticket charge) to fish here.