(Briciu's Lake)

Briciu was a legendary poet after whom the neat little town and nearby lake were named, he had a great reputation for slander, and he became known as "Briciu of the bitter mouth" In the Annals of the Four Masters a historical record set down by four monks between 1632 1636 is recorded a feast he gave at his palace Dun Rudraige, for King Conor and his Ulster warriors. The feast ended in slaughter because Briciu divided the portions in such a way that it inspired intense rivalry between his guests. This is one of the major tales in the Ulster Cycle.

In later times the area around Loughbrickland was in the control of the Magennises of Iveagh, it is said they built a castle on the shores of the lough, and for a time previous to that inhabited the crannog in the lake.

During the Elizabethan plantation of Ulster the Magennises lost their lands, Marmaduke Whitechurch was given control of the area. In the south of the country the Trevor family took over some of the Magennis lands and went on to become Viscounts Dungannon and Marquis of Downshire. Later, the Whyte family from Leixlip inherited part of the Whitechurch estate.

Loughbrickland is situated a few miles south of the town of Banbridge on the Newry road. The lake is said to be well stocked. .