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Rivers of Ireland facts for kids

Kids Encyclopedia Facts

Shown here are all the major rivers and tributaries of Ireland with their lengths (in kilometres and miles). Starting with the Northern Ireland rivers, and going in a clockwise direction, the rivers (and tributaries) are listed in regard to their entry into the different seas: the Irish Sea, the Celtic Sea and the Atlantic Ocean. Also shown are two tables. Table 1 shows the longest rivers in Ireland with their lengths (in kilometres and miles), the counties they flow through, and their catchment areas (in square kilometres). Table 2 shows the largest rivers in Ireland (by mean flow) in cubic metres per second.

Ireland physical medium
Some of the larger or better-known rivers of Ireland are shown on this map (large version).

The longest river in Ireland is the River Shannon, at 360.5 kilometres (224.0 mi). The river develops into three lakes along its course, Lough Allen, Lough Ree and Lough Derg. Of these, Lough Derg is the largest. The Shannon enters the Atlantic Ocean at the Shannon Estuary. Other major rivers include the River Liffey, River Lee, River Swilly, River Foyle, River Lagan, River Erne, River Blackwater, River Nore, River Suir, River Barrow (The Three Sisters), River Bann, River Slaney, River Boyne, River Moy and River Corrib.

Longest Irish Rivers (with Basin areas)

Lengths obtained from the Ordnance Survey of Ireland: Rivers and their Catchment Basins 1958 (Table of Reference), and for the rivers Bann and Erne – Notes on River Basins by Robert A. Williams

River Counties Length Basin Area
1 River Shannon (including estuary and flow through lakes)a Cavan, Leitrim, Roscommon, Longford, Westmeath, Galway, Offaly,

Tipperary, Clare, Limerick, Kerry

 360 km (224 mi) 16,800 km2
2 River Barrowb Laois, Kildare, Kilkenny, Carlow,

Wexford, Waterford

 192 km (119 mi) 3,067 km2
3 River Suirb Tipperary, Waterford, Kilkenny, Wexford 184 km (114.5 mi) 3,610 km2
4 River Blackwater (Munster) Kerry, Cork, Waterford 168 km (104.5 mi) 3,324 km2
5 River Bann (including flow through L. Neagh)c Down, Armagh, Antrim, Londonderry 159 km (99 mi) 5,808 km2
6 River Noreb Tipperary, Laois, Kilkenny 140 km (87 mi) 2,530 km2
7 River Suck (Shannon) Roscommon, Galway 133 km (83 mi) 1,600 km2
8 River Liffey Wicklow, Kildare, Dublin 132 km (82 mi) 1,256 km2
9 River Erne Cavan, Fermanagh, Donegal 129 km (80 mi) 4,372 km2
10 River Foyle (including Rivers Mourne, Strule & Camowen) Tyrone, Londonderry, Donegal 129 km (80 mi) 2,925 km2
11 River Slaney Wicklow, Carlow, Wexford 117 km (73 mi) 1,762 km2
12 River Boyne Kildare, Offaly, Meath, Louth 113 km (70 mi) 2,695 km2
13 River Moy Sligo, Mayo 101 km (62.5 mi) 2,086 km2
14 River Clare (Corrib)d Mayo, Roscommon, Galway 93 km (58 mi) 1,108 km2
15 River Blackwater (Ulster) (Bann) c Tyrone, Monaghan, Armagh 92 km (57 mi) 1,507 km2
16t River Inny (Shannon) Cavan, Longford, Westmeath 89 km (55.5 mi) 1,254 km2
16t River Lee Cork 89 km (55.5 mi) 1,253 km2
18 River Lagan Down, Antrim 86 km (53.5 mi) 565 km2
19 River Brosna (Shannon) Westmeath, Offaly 79 km (49 mi) 1,248 km2
20 River Laune (includes Lough Leane and River Flesk) Kerry 76 km (47.25 mi) 829 km2
21 River Feale (Shannon) Cork, Limerick, Kerry 74 km (46 mi) 1,170 km2
22 River Bandon Cork 72 km (45 mi) 608 km2
23 River Blackwater (Boyne) Cavan, Meath 68 km (42.5 mi) 733 km2
24 River Annalee (Erne) Monaghan, Cavan 66.8 km (41.75 mi) 522 km2
25 River Bride (M. Blackwater) Cork, Waterford 64 km (40 mi) 419 km2
26 Boyle River (including Lung River) (Shannon) Mayo, Sligo, Roscommon 64 km (40 mi) 725 km2
27 River Deel (Shannon) Cork, Limerick 63.2 km (39.5 mi) 481 km2
28 River Robe (Corrib)d Mayo 62.8 km (39.25 mi) 320 km2
29 River Finn (County Donegal) (Foyle) Donegal, Tyrone 62.8 km (39.25 mi) 505 km2
30 River Maigue (Shannon) Cork, Limerick 62 km (38.75 mi) 1,000 km2
31 Fane River Monaghan, Armagh, Louth 61.2 km (38.25 mi) 350 km2
32 Ballisodare River Sligo 60.8 km (38 mi) 650 km2
33 River Dee (Louth) Cavan, Meath, Louth 60.4 km (37.75 mi) 392 km2
34 River Fergus (Shannon) Clare 58.4 km (36.5 mi) 1,043 km2
35 Little Brosna River (Shannon) Offaly, Tipperary 57.6 km (36 mi) 662 km2
36 Mulkear River (including Bilboa River) (Shannon) Tipperary, Limerick 55.9 km (34.75 mi) 650 km2
37 River Glyde (Co. Louth) Cavan, Meath, Louth 55.9 km (34.75 mi) 348 km2

TABLE 1

a

  • The length of the River Shannon from the Shannon Pot to Limerick City is 258 kilometres (160 mi) with a basin area of 11,700 km2.
  • The River Shannon's overall length (to Loop Head), using the Owenmore River (County Cavan) as source, is 372 kilometres (231 mi), 11 km (7 mi) longer than the Shannon Pot source.
  • The River Shannon's overall length (to Loop Head), using the Boyle River's furthest source, is 392.1 kilometres (243.6 mi), making the Boyle-Shannon river the longest natural stream flow (source to sea) in Ireland, 31.6 km (19.5 mi) longer than the Shannon Pot source.
  • The River Shannon is a traditional freshwater river for just about 45% of its total length. Excluding the 102.2-kilometre (63.5 mi) tidal estuary from its total length of 360 kilometres (224 mi), if one also excludes the lakes (L. Derg 39 kilometres (24 mi), L. Ree 29 kilometres (18 mi), L. Allen 11 kilometres (7 mi) plus L. Boderg, L. Bofin, L. Forbes, L. Corry) from the Shannon's freshwater flow of 258.3 kilometres (160.5 mi), the Shannon as a freshwater river is only about 160 kilometres (100 mi) long.

b

  • The total basin area of the Three Sisters (Barrow, Nore and Suir) is 9,207 km2.

c

  • The traditional length given for the River Bann is 80 miles (129 km) which is the combined total length of Upper and Lower Bann rivers and doesn't include Lough Neagh.
  • The total length of the Ulster Blackwater from its source to the sea via L. Neagh and the Lower Bann is 186.3 km (115.75 mi), surpassed, in Ireland, only by the Shannon and Barrow rivers. This is the longest stream flow (source to sea) in Ulster.

d

  • The total basin area of the 6 km River Corrib is 3,138 km2
  • The total length of the River Robe's journey from its source near Ballyhaunis to Galway Bay (via Lough Mask, Cong canal and river, Lough Corrib and River Corrib) is 72 miles (116 km). This is the longest stream flow (source to sea) within the Corrib Basin.

Largest Irish Rivers (by flow)

River

(River Basin)

 Mean Discharge

(m3/s)
1 River Shannona 209 (300)
2 River Corrib 105.5
3 River Bannb 92 (102.5)
4 River Foyle 90
5 River Blackwater (Munster) 87.5
6 River Erne 85
7 River Suirc 76
8 River Moy 63
9 River Barrowc 46.5
10 River Laune 43
11 River Norec 42
12 River Lee 40
13 River Slaney 39
14 River Boyne 38.5
15 River Cong (Corrib) 37.6
16 River Feale (Shannon) 34.6
17 River Fergus (Shannon) 25.7
18 River Clare (Corrib) 22.9
19 River Suck (Shannon) 22.2
20 River Avoca 22
21 River Bandon 21.5
22 River Mourne (Foyle) 21.1
23 River Blackwater (Ulster) (Bann) 19.7
24 River Ballisodare 18.25
25 River Inny (Shannon) 18.4
26 River Liffey 17
27 River Derg (Foyle) 16.2
28 River Maigue (Shannon) 15.6
29 River Main (Bann) 15.4
30 River Blackwater (Boyne) (Boyne) 15.08
31 Aille River (Connacht) (Corrib) 15.0
32 Owenmore River (County Mayo) 14.7
33 Boyle River (Shannon) 13.57
34 River Deel (Shannon) 12.56
35 Mulkear River (Shannon) 12.55

TABLE 2

a The River Shannon's 209 m3/s is to Limerick City (Catchment area: 11,700 km2). If the discharges from all of the rivers and streams into the Shannon Estuary (including the rivers Feale 34.6m3/s, Maigue 15.6m3/s, Fergus 25.7m3/s, and Deel 7.4m3/s) are added to the discharge at Limerick giving a total catchment of 16,865 km2, the total discharge of the River Shannon at its mouth at Loop Head reaches 300 m3/s

b The River Bann's 92 m3/s is to Movanagher Gauging station (Basin area 5209.8 km2). The 102.5 m3/s is based on the total basin area of 5808 km2 .

c The Three Sisters (Barrow, Nore & Suir) total flow into Waterford Harbour is 154 m3/s and the combined flow of the Barrow and Nore rivers is 86 m3/s before joining the river Suir near Waterford City.

Rivers in Ulster

With length in miles (and km)

  • River Crana 12 miles (19 km)
  • River Lennon (Leannan) 28.5 miles (45.9 km)
  • River Foyle 80 miles (130 km) (total) – that portion named "Foyle" forms the border between the Republic of Ireland and Northern Ireland
    • Burn Dale (also known as the River Deele) – rises in and flows through the east of County Donegal – 25.5 miles (41.0 km)
    • River Finn (Foyle tributary) – rises and flows mainly through County Donegal, Republic of Ireland 39.25 miles (63.17 km)
      • River Reelan 10.5 miles (16.9 km)
    • River Mourne
      • River Derg 28 miles (45 km)
      • Mournebeg River 17.25 miles (27.76 km)
      • Owenkillew River 30 miles (48 km)
      • Glenelly River 22 miles (35 km)
      • Owenreagh River 14 miles (23 km)
      • River Strule 14.25 miles (22.93 km)
        • Camowen River 28 miles (45 km)
        • Drumragh River 20.5 miles (33.0 km)
      • Fairy Water 17.75 miles (28.57 km)
      • Drumquin River 9.5 miles (15.3 km)
      • Routing Burn 13 miles (21 km)
      • Owenreagh River 16.5 miles (26.6 km)
      • Cloghfin River 14 miles (23 km)
  • River Faughan 29.5 miles (47.5 km)
  • River Roe 34.25 miles (55.12 km)
  • River Bann 90 miles (140 km)
    • River Blackwater 56.7 miles (91.2 km)
      • River Callan 26.5 miles (42.6 km)
      • Oona Water 17.75 miles (28.57 km)
      • River Torrent 25 miles (40 km)
      • River Tall 22.5 miles (36.2 km)
      • River Blackwater (Northern) 35.5 miles (57.1 km)
    • River Main 34 miles (55 km)
    • Six Mile Water 21 miles (34 km)
    • Ballinderry River 29 miles (47 km)
    • Moyola River 31 miles (50 km)
    • Clady River
    • Knockoneil River
    • Grillagh River
    • Agivey River
    • Cusher River 25 miles (40 km)
    • Clady River
      • Altmore River
      • Cromore Burn
      • Devlin River
        • Cronaniv Burn
  • River Dun
  • River Bush 33.5 miles (53.9 km)
  • River Erne 80 miles (130 km) (See Atlantic rivers)
  • River Lagan 53.5 miles (86.1 km)
  • River Quoile 27.5 miles (44.3 km)
  • Clanrye (Newry) River 27 miles (43 km)

Rivers in the Republic of Ireland, flowing into the Irish Sea

With length in miles (and km)

River Dodder Rathgar snow
River Dodder
  • Castletown River 28 miles (45 km)
    • Cully Water 14.5 miles (23.3 km)
    • Kilcurry River 11.5 miles (18.5 km)
  • River Fane 38.25 miles (61.56 km)
  • River Glyde 34.75 miles (55.92 km)
  • River Dee, County Louth 37.75 miles (60.75 km)
  • River Boyne 70 miles (110 km)
    • River Owenroe (Moynalty) 23.5 miles (37.8 km)
    • River Blackwater, Kildare and Meath 20 miles (32 km)
    • River Blackwater, Cavan and Meath 42.5 miles (68.4 km)
    • Moynalty River 23.5 miles (37.8 km)
    • Athboy River 22.5 miles (36.2 km)
    • Stonestown River 20 miles (32 km)
    • Dale River 22.5 miles (36.2 km)
    • Kinnegad River 19.5 miles (31.4 km)
    • Yellow River 16 miles (26 km)
  • River Tolka 20.75 miles (33.39 km)
  • River Liffey 82 miles (132 km)
  • River Dargle 12.5 miles (20.1 km)
  • River Vartry 20.5 miles (33.0 km)
  • River Avoca (Ovoca) 9.5 miles (15.3 km)
  • River Slaney 73 miles (117 km)
    • Derreen River 25 miles (40 km)
    • River Derry 21 miles (34 km)
    • River Bann (Wexford) 26 miles (42 km)

Rivers in the Republic of Ireland, flowing into the Celtic Sea

With length in miles (and km)

RiverGoul1876-2
River Goul
The Gearagh 2
River Lee

Rivers in the Republic of Ireland, flowing into the Atlantic Ocean

With length in miles (and km)

Shannonbridge
River Shannon
Annalee river, Butlersbridge, Cavan Aug 2003
River Annalee
  • Roughty River 16.75 miles (26.96 km) (flowing into Kenmare Bay) at Kenmare
  • River Laune 14 miles (23 km)
    • River Flesk 28.25 miles (45.46 km)
    • Gweestin River 13.75 miles (22.13 km)
  • Caragh River 14 miles (23 km)
  • River Inny (Kerry) 16.5 miles (26.6 km)
  • Cummeragh River 9.5 miles (15.3 km)
  • River Ferta
  • River Carrowbeg
  • River Maine 26.5 miles (42.6 km)
    • Brown Flesk 19.75 miles (31.78 km)
  • River Feale 46 miles (74 km)
    • River Galey 27 miles (43 km)
    • Allaghaun River 13.75 miles (22.13 km)
    • Smerlagh (Smaorlagh) River 15.5 miles (24.9 km)
    • Shanow River 15.25 miles (24.54 km)
  • River Shannon 224 miles (360 km)
    • Owenmore River (County Cavan) 9 miles (14 km)
    • Arigna River 14 miles (23 km)
    • Feorish River 19.5 miles (31.4 km)
    • River Brosna 49.25 miles (79.26 km)
      • Clodiagh River 24.25 miles (39.03 km)
      • Tullamore River 12.5 miles (20.1 km)
      • Silver River 24 miles (39 km)
    • Bunowen River 16 miles (26 km)
    • Little Brosna River 36 miles (58 km)
      • River Camcor 16.25 miles (26.15 km)
    • Ballyfinboy River 20.75 miles (33.39 km)
    • Nenagh River 28.5 miles (45.9 km)
    • River Inny 55.5 miles (89.3 km)
      • River Tang 15.5 miles (24.9 km)
    • River Suck 82.5 miles (132.8 km)
      • River Shiven 21.25 miles (34.20 km)
    • Boyle River (Total) 40 miles (64 km)
    • Boyle River 13.75 miles (22.13 km)
      • Lung River 17.75 miles (28.57 km)
      • Breedoge River 11.75 miles (18.91 km)
    • Camlin River 27 miles (43 km)
    • Mulkear River 15.25 miles (24.54 km)
      • Bilboa River 19.5 miles (31.4 km)
    • River Deel 39.5 miles (63.6 km)
    • River Maigue 38.75 miles (62.36 km)
  • River Fergus 36.5 miles (58.7 km)
  • River Corrib 5.75 miles (9.25 km)
    • Cregg River (via Lough Corrib)
    • River Clare (via Lough Corrib) 57.75 miles (92.94 km)
      • Grange River 17 miles (27 km)
      • Abbert River 25.25 miles (40.64 km)
    • River Black 17.75 miles (28.57 km)
    • Aille River (Connacht) 18.5 miles (29.8 km)
    • Baelanabrack River 11 miles (18 km)
    • River Robe (via Loughs Mask and Corrib) 39.25 miles (63.17 km)
  • River Clarin 19.75 miles (31.78 km)
    • Clady River
      • Cromore Burn
        • Cronaniv Burn
  • Kilcolgan River 9.5 miles (15.3 km)
    • Dooyertha River 23.75 miles (38.22 km)
  • Kinvarra River
  • River Doonbeg 25.75 miles (41.44 km)
  • River Inagh 22.75 miles (36.61 km)
  • Carrowbeg River 10 miles (16 km)
  • Bunowen River 13.25 miles (21.32 km)
  • River Erriff 20.5 miles (33.0 km)
  • Owenglin River 11.5 miles (18.5 km)
  • Ballynahinch River 18.5 miles (29.8 km)
  • Cashla River 13.25 miles (21.32 km)
  • Owenboliska River 13.25 miles (21.32 km)
  • Glenamoy River 13.75 miles (22.13 km)
  • Cloonaghmore River 19.75 miles (31.78 km)
  • Owenmore River (County Mayo) (incl. Carrowmore Lake) 29.25 miles (47.07 km)
  • Owenduff River 17.75 miles (28.57 km)
  • Newport River 18.25 miles (29.37 km)
  • River Moy 62.5 miles (100.6 km)
    • Deel River 28 miles (45 km)
    • Manulla River 19 miles (31 km)
    • Gweestion River 23 miles (37 km)
    • Owengarve River 16 miles (26 km)
    • River Glore 17 miles (27 km)
  • Easky River, County Sligo 18.5 miles (29.8 km)
  • Ballisodare River 5.5 miles (8.9 km)
  • River Garavogue (including L. Gill and R. Bonnet) 31.5 miles (50.7 km)
  • River Erne 80 miles (130 km) – mainly formed by Upper and Lower Lough Erne in County Fermanagh, Northern Ireland
    • River Annalee 41.75 miles (67.19 km)
    • River Cladagh (including Arney) 22 miles (35 km)
    • Sillees River 33 miles (53 km)
    • River Ballinamallard 16 miles (26 km)
    • River Swanlinbar 18 miles (29 km)
    • River Woodford 18.5 miles (29.8 km)
    • Dromore River 23.25 miles (37.42 km)
    • Yellow River 17.25 miles (27.76 km)
    • Colebrooke River 35 miles (56 km)
    • Finn River (County Fermanagh and County Monaghan) 31.5 miles (50.7 km)
  • Owenea River 16.25 miles (26.15 km)
  • Oily River 13 miles (21 km)
  • Bungosteen River 15.5 miles (24.9 km)
  • Ballintra River 14 miles (23 km)
  • River Eske 15.25 miles (24.54 km)
    • Drumenny Burn
  • River Gweebarra 19.75 miles (31.78 km)
  • River Swilly 25.5 miles (41.0 km)

See also

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