Cahertubber Lake | Derrydonnell-Athenry Gun Club

Artist's impression

Cahertubber Lake

A sanctuary the club built, being made better for everyone

Restored by Derrydonnell-Athenry Gun Club in 2018, Cahertubber Lake is a wildfowl sanctuary and a quiet place for the whole community. Now we are improving access, amenities and habitat so more people can enjoy it.

Find the lake

Project update

The next phase is underway

Work on the next phase of Cahertubber Lake has begun. In August 2026 the water levels on the lake were carefully lowered in preparation for the habitat work ahead.

Once the bird nesting season ended, the habitat work got underway, and it is now complete. The water has been opened up, restoring open water and improving the site for wildlife across the wider lake.

Work now moves on to the new estate fencing and the educational and recognition signage, which will define the site and share the story of the lake and the people who support it.

There is good news on the amenities too: Galway County Council has installed two picnic benches at the lake, which means the club now needs to add just one more, a wheelchair-accessible bench, to complete the seating for everyone.

As ever, this work goes ahead with the kind support of the Kindregan family, on whose land the lake sits.

Swans on the lowered water ahead of the habitat work at Cahertubber Lake — Water levels lowered ahead of the works

Habitat work in progress at Cahertubber Lake — The habitat work in progress

Swans on the open water at Cahertubber Lake after the habitat work — Swans back on the open water

View across Cahertubber Lake from the carpark — The view across the lake from the carpark

Swans on the resurfaced carpark beside a picnic bench at Cahertubber Lake — The regulars, already at home on the new carpark

Estate fencing work underway along the roadside at Cahertubber Lake — Work to Control the level of the lake, preventing reeds from taking over again

From the air

Aerial photography by Conor Ryan, Galway Agri Videos

Aerial view of Cahertubber Lake before the works, with the water closing over — **Before**The lake closing over, before the works

Aerial view of a digger clearing overgrown vegetation at Cahertubber Lake — **During**Clearing the overgrowth

Aerial view of the habitat work underway at Cahertubber Lake — **During**The habitat work from above

Aerial view of Cahertubber Lake with open water returning after the habitat work — **After**Open water returning

Carried out responsibly. Galway County Council, the Department of Agriculture, and the National Parks and Wildlife Service (NPWS) have all been consulted in advance of the works beginning.

With thanks

The people and businesses behind the project

This project is made possible by the generosity of local people and businesses. We are especially grateful to our three principal sponsors, whose major contributions allowed the work to begin and brought the target within reach.

Our three principal sponsors

John Flaherty•C&F Tooling•Coshla Quarries

Proudly supported by local businesses

There is something special about community businesses backing a community project. We are proud to have the support of so many local businesses, and grateful to every one of them for getting behind Cahertubber.

Hatman of Ireland Ltd KTL Kelly Veterinary Clinic Derek Feeney Auto Repairs Derrydonnell Shop Expert Forklifts Neilius Morrissey Agri Contractors Easyfix Yvonne Higgins Driving School Pat Briggs Truck Repairs Zimmer Biomet Pat Callanan Estate Agent Shane Rabbitte Motors Brady's Butchers Ward & Burke Construction Athenry IFA

With special thanks

Galway County CouncilFor resurfacing the carpark at no cost to the club, and for installing two picnic benches at the lake.

Conor Ryan, Galway Agri VideosWho photographed the project free of charge, so everyone can follow the work at the lake.

Seamus Walsh Plant & AgriWhose generous discount on the works went a long way towards getting the job done.

The story of the lake

Built for wildlife, and for the community

In 2018 the club restored Cahertubber Lake with the support of the NARGC, opening up water that had gradually closed over the years and giving wildfowl and other wildlife their home back. It was a significant undertaking for a rural club, and it was done because a lasting water body means something for the area: for the birds, for the wildlife around them, and for the people who come to enjoy the quiet of the place.

Today the lake is a familiar spot for families, walkers, and anyone who wants to spend a while beside the water. It is held by kind permission of the Kindregan family, whose generosity makes public access possible.

The next chapter is about opening it up further, so the lake is easier to reach, easier to enjoy, and looked after for the long term.

Aerial view of Cahertubber Lake with the newly resurfaced carpark, June 2026

Cahertubber Lake and the newly resurfaced carpark, June 2026

Where we are, where we are going

From a good amenity to a great one

The first step is already done: the carpark has been resurfaced and extended, giving safe, level access for every visitor. The images below show the site as it is today, alongside an artist's impression of the finished amenity once the remaining work is complete.

The site today Cahertubber Lake today, with picnic benches on the resurfaced carpark beside the open water

The site today

The carpark is resurfaced and in use, the habitat work is complete, and the picnic benches from Galway County Council are in place. Fencing and signage are now underway.

Photograph, autumn 2026

Artist's impression Artist's impression of the finished Cahertubber Lake amenity

The finished amenity

Picnic benches including a wheelchair-accessible one, estate fencing, interpretive signage and a duck-feeding station, set beside the open water.

Artist's impression of the completed project

What is changing

Six practical improvements, one finished place

Each element has been costed and thought through. Together they make the lake safer, more accessible, and better for wildlife. The carpark and habitat work are complete, and fencing and signage are now underway. The rest follows as funding is secured.

✓Resurfaced and extended carpark

Safe, level, accessible parking for every visitor to the lake.

Complete

✓Habitat and conservation work

Opening up the view across the water and improving the site for wildlife.

Complete

✓New estate fencing

Defining and protecting the site and giving it a cared-for finish.

Underway

✓Educational and recognition signage

Sharing the story of the lake, its wildlife, and the people who support it.

Underway

✓A wheelchair-accessible picnic bench

Galway County Council has installed two picnic benches. The club will add one wheelchair-accessible bench so the lake can be enjoyed by everyone.

Planned

✓Duck-feeding station

The right food for the lake's waterfowl, good for the birds and the water.

Planned

Be part of it

A community project, made possible by community backing

Cahertubber Lake belongs to everyone who uses it. Whether you are a family who visits, a walker, or someone who simply wants to see the place looked after, there is a way to be part of the next chapter.

Above all, the club is grateful to the Kindregan family. Cahertubber Lake sits on their land, and it is their generosity in opening it to the community that makes everything here possible.

Local businesses and supporters are helping bring the next phase to life, and their support is recognised at the lake and in the club's communications. If you would like to be part of it, we would be glad to talk it through with you.

Support the project Visit the lake

Get in touch

Talk to us about Cahertubber

Use the form to support the project, ask a question, or find out how to get involved. We will get back to you.