(Baile) Locha Riach

The Irish name Baile Locha Riach breaks down as baile (townland/town) + loch (lake) + riach (grey), meaning 'town of the grey lake'—a direct reference to Lough Rea, which borders the settlement on its northern shore. Loughrea was established as a medieval settlement in 1236 by Richard de Burgo, the Anglo-Norman Lord of Connacht, who constructed a castle and fortified the town with walls, moats...