What is "muckie"

Muckie is the name given to the reported mysterious creature said to inhabit the Lakes of Killarney in Ireland. Unlike other stories of lake creatures, Muckie has no folklore origin, and has only recently entered local legend.

In 2003, scientists conducted a series of sonar scans to determine local fish populations. However, a large solid object in the water was recorded, which has led to the theory that the lake is inhabited by some form of lake monster, similar to the famed "Nessie" of Loch Ness.

It has been suggested that witnesses might have seen seals, which when travelling in pairs will dive and rise opposite to each other, giving the impression of being a single larger animal.

The name Muckie comes from a portmanteau of Muckross (one of the three Killarney lakes) and the ie suffix to mimic the Loch Ness Nessie.

Tourism interests have tried to encourage the legend without any success.

In October 2004, a Japanese TV crew spent a week in the region, looking for Muckie.