The first photo above shows the exit from the lake in Gougane Barra where the Lee rises in the National Forest Park. Gougane is a trout anglers and painters paradise with dramatic rocky slopes and cascading streams pouring from the cliffs on the wooded hillsides into the dark lake below. There are various walks, trails and picnic sites around the lake. Situated on a tiny island called Holy Island and linked to the shore by a causeway is St. Finbarrs Oratory which has some fine stained glass windows.(See Daytrips for photo).

The Lee then travel 4Km NW to the litte village of Ballingeary which is located at the mouth of the Pass of Keimaneigh. Ballingeary is a noted centre for students wishing to learn the Irish Language. (See other photos above). There is a very scenic mountainous route from Ballingeary to Ballyvourney on the main Cork / Kilarney road. Note: it is a single lane track and is not recommended for nervous drivers as meeting an oncoming car can result in having to reverse for hundreds of metres.

The Lee immediately enters Lough Allua once it leaves Ballingeary. Lough Allua is a six mile chain of lakes around which there is excellent scenery and every bend of the road brings an ever changing scene of rural splendour. The most scenic route from Ballingeary to Inchigeela is along The South Lake Road. There is a natural spring alongside the road by the entrance to Herlihey's Farm where even on the warmest summers' day the water frosts the drinking glass. A little further on is the Mass Rock, which served as an alter during Penal Times in Ireland. There are also several ring forts and an anient lake dwelling in the Area.

Inchigeela 10 miles SW of Macroom is a lovely lakeside village. Entertainment is organised during the holiday season and tennis, pitch and putt and basketball are provided on nearby Pleasure Island. On leaving Inchigeela the Lee travels towards The Gearagh.

It is a unique place of streams, narrow channels and small islands. Here are found some very rare plant and insect specimens which have been investigated and recorded by famous naturalists and scientists since the 19th century. There are 100's of species of flowers, plants and ferns. During the autumn and winter months migratory birds arrive in vast numbers and flocks of wild duck, snipe, woodcock, curlew, lapwing and swans can be seen on the islands. With foxes, stoats and otters in abundance the area is a treasure trove of wildlife.

It is said that a thousand people could spend a week in the Gearagh without meeeting each other. The most famous inhabitant was a man named Sean Rua na Gaortha who "robbed the rich to help the poor" and whose daring exploits and miraculous escapes are part of the folklore of the area. However it is certain that he was hunted continually by the Militia, but always seemed to elude them in his home territory of the Gearagh, and by all accounts he lived to a great age and died in bed.

In latter years the Gearagh has achieved a certain amount of fame as a source of poitin or Irish Mountain Dew. This is an illegal and highly potent alcoholic brew. In 1987 the area was declared a statutory nature reserve with the co-operation of the E.S.B. who own the land. The water level in the Gearagh is controlled by the hydro-electric dam at Carrigadrohid.

There are several well signposted walks through the Gearagh and it makes an ideal location for those seeking relaxation and peace.

The Lee flows out of the Gearagh to the Eastern side of Macroom where it meets with the river Sullane coming from Coolea at a place called The Two Mile Bridge.