Lough Mahon

Lough Mahon
Loch Machan (Irish)
An aerial view of Lough Mahon taken from the Mahon peninsula (looking south-east).
Location in Ireland
Lough Mahon (County Cork)
LocationCork/County Cork
Coordinates51°53′N 8°22′W / 51.883°N 8.367°W / 51.883; -8.367
Primary inflowsRiver Lee, Glashaboy River, Tramore River
Primary outflowsRiver Lee
Basin countriesIreland
Max. length3 km (1.9 mi)
Max. width5 km (3.1 mi)
Surface area12.23 km2 (4.72 sq mi)

Lough Mahon (Irish: Loch Machan) is a sea lough in the north-western part of Cork Harbour. Its area is about 12 km2 (5 sq mi).

Several Cork suburbs, such as Mahon, Douglas, Rochestown, Blackrock and Ballinlough as well as the town of Passage West are on its southern and western shores. To the north is Little Island and to the east Great Island.

Lough Mahon falls within the Cork Harbour "Special Protection Area", as designated under the EU Birds Directive, and is an important habitat for a number of bird species and migrating waders in particular.