Lough Tay is one of the most iconic – and most photographed – locations in Ireland. And it’s not surprising why. In the heart of the Wicklow Mountains, in the bottom of a spectacular glacial valley, is a lake that curiously resembles Ireland’s greatest export. Its dark, peaty water, combined with an oval shape and white-sand beach makes Lough Tay look rather like a giant pint of Guinness. The lake is part of the Luggala estate, owned for many years by – you’ve guessed it – the Guinness family. They had the white sand imported to give the lake its distinctive look. So Lough Tay is also known as the ‘Guinness Lake’.