Lough Ree (
Irish:
Loch Rí or
Loch Ríbh) is a
lake in the midlands of
Ireland, the second of the three major lakes on the
River Shannon. Lough Ree is the second largest lake on the Shannon after
Lough Derg. The other two major lakes are
Lough Allen to the north, and Lough Derg to the south, there are also several minor lakes along the length of the river. The lake serves as a border between the counties of
Longford and
Westmeath (both in the province of
Leinster) on the eastern side and
County Roscommon in the province of
Connacht on the western side. The lake is popular for fishing and boating. The lake supports a small commercial eel fishery and is locally famous for its
eels on wheels truck. The town of
Athlone is situated at the southern end of the lake, and has a harbour for boats going out on the lake. The small town of
Lanesboro is at the northern end of the lake.