Fermanagh Rivers

EDITED EXTRACTS FROM THE TOPOGRAPHICAL DICTIONARY OF IRELAND, 1837

THE only river of any consequence is the Erne, which, entering the county a short distance from Belturbet, flows into Lough Erne at its southern extremity, and, after passing Belleek at its northern extremity, discharges itself into Donegal Bay at Ballyshannon; all the other rivers empty themselves into Lough Erne.

River Erne at Belleek (Green Collection/NMNI)

The Finn is navigable for boats as far as Cumber Bridge, on the confines of Monaghan; the Pettigo and the  Omna rise near Lough Derg, in Donegal, and after uniting their streams fall into the lake a mile south of the town of Pettigo.

The Sillees rises near Church Hill, and takes a southern direction to the lake.

There are upwards of 50 smaller streams, all contributing to augment the waters of the great central reservoir.

The Ulster Canal, intended to unite Lough Neagh and Lough Erne, will enter this county from Monaghan, not far from Clones; thence proceeding towards Belturbet, it is to fall into Lough Erne.

The roads are numerous, but for the most part badly laid out; many of them are flooded during winter, exceedingly inconvenient, and kept in indifferent repair.

First published in December, 2023.

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 Derry, 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.

First published in December, 2023.

Tyrone Rivers

EDITED EXTRACTS FROM THE TOPOGRAPHICAL DICTIONARY OF IRELAND, 1837

THE county is copiously watered by the numerous branches of the Foyle, which, under the names of the Munterloney, the Poe, the Mourne, the Camowen, the Owenkillew, and the Owenreagh, rise in the mountainous central districts: the Derg joins the Mourne from a lough of its own name; the Burn Dennet empties itself into the Foyle near the northern boundary of the county.

The Foyle, which forms part of the western boundary, is navigable to St Johnston, and thence by an artificial navigation between three and four miles farther up to Strabane.

The Ballinderry river forms part of the north-eastern boundary.

Ballinderry River at Coagh Bridge (Green Collection/NMNI)

The Blackwater, which forms part of the southern boundary, and discharges itself into Lough Neagh, is navigable to Moy and Blackwatertown: near the mouth of this river a canal proceeds from the lake to Coalisland, and more than half a century since was partially opened above Newmills, but this latter part of the undertaking was abandoned before the canal was completed.

The beauty of the scenery in several parts is much enhanced by woods and plantations.

Large tracts of land near Baronscourt, and Rash or Mountjoy Forest, have been planted since 1795.

Near Augher and Favour Royal there are considerable natural woods, and throughout the greater part of the county the soil appears disposed to throw up a spontaneous growth of timber, but in too many instances the young trees are neglected and the cattle suffered to browse upon them.

Near Strabane are many large and well-stocked orchards.

First published in December, 2023.

County Down Rivers

EDITED EXTRACTS FROM THE TOPOGRAPHICAL DICTIONARY OF IRELAND, 1837

The principal rivers are the Bann and the Lagan, neither of which is navigable within the limits of the county: the former has its source in two neighbouring springs in that part of the Mourne Mountains called the Deer's Meadow, and quits this county for Armagh, which it enters near Portadown, where it communicates with the Newry Canal.

The Lagan has also two sources, one on Slieve Croob, and the other in Slievenaboley, which unite near Waringsford: near the Maze it becomes the boundary between the counties of Down and Antrim, in its course to Belfast Lough.

There are also the Newry River and the Ballynahinch river, the former of which rises near Rathfriland, and falls into Carlingford Lough; and the latter derives its source from four small lakes, and empties itself into the south-western branch of Strangford Lough.

This county enjoys the benefit of two canals, viz. the Newry navigation, along its western border, connecting Carlingford Lough with Lough Neagh; and the Lagan navigation which extends from the tideway at Belfast along the northern boundary of the county, and enters Lough Neagh near that portion of the shore included within its limits.

The Lagan Canal, being partly through the bed of the Lagan, its passage is so much impeded by floods as to detract much from the benefits anticipated from its formation.

First published in December, 2023.