Lough Scur
lake in south County Leitrim, Ireland
Lough Scur (Irish: Loch an Scoir, meaning 'the lake of the horses, pasturage, troop') is a freshwater lake in south County Leitrim, northwest Ireland. It is part of the Shannon–Erne Waterway. Human settlements have been present nearby since the New Stone Age. Modern features include quays and moorings. Protected features are Castle John, three Crannogs, and the causeway into Rusheen Island, though "Jail Island" is not protected. The ecology of Lough Scur, and indeed all county Leitrim lakes, is threatened by pollution and invasive species such as curly waterweed, zebra mussel, and freshwater clam.
Etymology
Fanciful folklore of the 19th century claimed Lough Scur was named from Oscar son of Oisín, and his grave lay at Aghascur, "the field of the Scur". However, it is pointed out the word "Scur" (Irish: Scor, genitive scuir) has various meanings, and probably translates to "lake of the horse-stud". O'Donovan suggests Scuir means 'lake of the camp', and the placenames database of Ireland suggests Lough Scuir means 'lake of the horses, pasturage, troop'.
Geography
Lough Scur is about 1 kilometre (0.6 mi) northwest of Keshcarrigan.
The public source identifies “Lough Scur” as lake in south County Leitrim, Ireland. This brief keeps that definition visible, then builds a research path around Lough, Scur and lake.
Why this record matters
A short description can identify a subject without explaining its stakes. For “Lough Scur”, the useful work is to connect “lake in south County Leitrim, Ireland” to the records capable of establishing context and consequence.
Maps, plans, fabric surveys and administrative records can establish how the site’s name, extent and function changed over time. The source revision retrieved here is dated Jul 31, 2026. The linked authority identifier is Q24196364. Authority coordinates are 54.025, -7.956. 1 of 1 selected statements include explicit references; 0 carry qualifiers and 0 use preferred rank.
Modern boundaries and familiar names can conceal earlier jurisdictions or structures that do not align with the present site. The source lead contains qualifying language; that uncertainty should survive quotation, summary and reuse. Authority statements aid reconciliation but still require their own references, qualifiers and ranks to be checked.
How to read it
Treat names, boundaries and functions as historically changeable. Maps, plans, inventories and administrative records can clarify what the place meant at different dates.
- Historic place names
- Jurisdictional context
- Routes into maps and plans
Contemporary maps, plans, listed-building records, estate papers and the responsible local or national archive.
Three-step research path
- Establish the record: confirm the title “Lough Scur”, its source revision and the description used here.
- Expand the search: follow Lough Scur primary sources, Lough Scur archive and Lough research across catalogues and specialist indexes.
- Test the account: compare the strongest cited source with the responsible institution’s current record and note any disagreement.
Questions for further research
- Which source most directly establishes the central claim about “Lough Scur”?
- Which authority defined the place, boundary or structure at the relevant date?
- Which earlier names or jurisdictions may reveal additional records?
Search terms from this dossier
This entry incorporates text from “Lough Scur” on English Wikipedia. Contributors are listed in the page history. Text is available under the Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 License. Selected authority identifiers and statements are retrieved from Wikidata under CC0; their references and qualifiers remain part of the verification path.