Londonderry Rivers

EDITED EXTRACTS FROM THE TOPOGRAPHICAL DICTIONARY OF IRELAND, 1837

THE principal rivers are the Foyle, the Bann, the Roe, and the Faughan.

The Foyle, which derives its name from the smoothness of its current, intersects the liberties of the city of Londonderry, in a majestic course north-eastward, having descended from Lifford, where, after the union of several important streams, it first obtains its name.

At Culmore, six miles below the city, which it appears formerly to have insulated, it expands into the estuary of Lough Foyle.

The Bann, or "White River," so called from the purity of its waters, intersects the liberties of Coleraine, within four miles of its junction with the ocean; but the navigation is greatly obstructed by shallows and a very dangerous bar, where the currents of the fresh water and the tide meet.

The Roe, or "Red River," so called from the colour of its waters, receives at Dungiven the Owenreagh: hence, in its course directly north, it receives from the mountains on each side the Owenbeg, the Gelvin, the Balteagh, the Curly Burn, and the Castle River; and winding through the fertile flat by Limavady, it falls into Lough Foyle by Myroe.

The flat country bordering the lower part of its course is exposed to sudden and impetuous floods poured down from the surrounding mountains: many acres of the finest lands are with difficulty defended by embankments, and even with this protection the securing of the crop is never a matter of certainty.

The deposits brought down by this river form many shifting banks in the lough, which prevent its mouth from becoming a convenient little port, although there is sufficient depth of water at high tides.

The Faughan in its course receives numerous rills and streams from the surrounding heights, and falls into Lough Foyle.

The Moyola is a considerable stream descending into Lough Neagh.

The principal tributaries of the Bann are the Clady, Agivey, and Macosquin streams.

There are no canals connected with the county, but an inland navigation, either by a canal, or lateral cuts along the Bann, is contemplated from Lough Neagh to Coleraine, and a Bill is now being applied for, to enable the proprietors of the lands round the lough to lower it to a summer level, and thereby render the Bann navigable to Coleraine.