Irish River Names: A Comprehensive Guide to Their Meaning and Origin

Discover the rich history and cultural significance embedded within the names of Ireland's rivers. This guide explores the diverse origins and meanings behind these waterways, offering a glimpse into the ancient Celtic language and the landscape they traverse. From the majestic Shannon to the winding Boyne, each river bears a name that reflects the surrounding environment, mythology, and local folklore. Join us as we delve into the fascinating world of Irish river names and unravel the stories they hold.
1. **Shannon:** "Old River" or "River of the Gods", the longest river in Ireland, considered sacred in Irish mythology
2. **Boyne:** "White Cow" or "River of the White Cow", famous for the Battle of the Boyne, a significant battle in Irish history
3. **Liffey:** "River of the Salmon", flows through Dublin, historically important for trade and transportation
4. **Lee:** "River of the Alder", flows through Cork city, known for its scenic beauty and association with the city's history
5. **Suir:** "Black River", named for its dark waters, flows through Waterford, historically important for shipping and industry
6. **Blackwater:** "River of the Black Water", flows through Cork and Waterford, known for its dark, peat-stained waters
7. **Barrow:** "The Strong One", named for its powerful current, flows through Kildare and Carlow, historically important for agriculture and trade
8. **Foyle:** "River of the White Salmon", flows through Derry, known for its scenic beauty and proximity to Lough Neagh
9. **Erne:** "River of the Alder", flows through Fermanagh, known for its beauty and its association with Lough Erne
10. **Sligo:** "The River of the Sea", flows through County Sligo, known for its scenic beauty and association with Yeats' poetry
11. **Corrib:** "River of the Sheep", flows through Galway, known for its scenic beauty and the surrounding Connemara landscape
12. **Bann:** "River of the Alder", flows through County Armagh, known for its scenic beauty and its connection to Lough Neagh
13. **Roe:** "The Red One", named for its reddish hue, flows through County Londonderry, known for its scenic beauty and association with the Roe Valley
14. **Inny:** "The Little One", flows through Westmeath, known for its scenic beauty and its association with the River Shannon
15. **Nile:** "The River of the Clouds", flows through County Mayo, known for its scenic beauty and its association with the ancient Celtic goddess, Nemain
16. **Laggan:** "The River of the Lowlands", flows through County Cork, known for its scenic beauty and its association with the nearby town of Bandon
17. **Maigue:** "The River of the Plain", flows through County Limerick, known for its scenic beauty and its association with the ancient Celtic goddess, Maeve
18. **Moy:** "The River of the Plain", flows through County Mayo, known for its scenic beauty and its association with the ancient Celtic goddess, Morrigan
19. **Owenea:** "The River of the Little River", flows through County Galway, known for its scenic beauty and its association with the Galway Bay
20. **Avoca:** "River of the Plain", flows through County Wicklow, known for its scenic beauty and its association with the Irish Rebellion of 1798
21. **Lough Gill:** "River of the Hollow", flows through County Sligo, known for its scenic beauty and its association with the ancient Celtic goddess, Danu
22. **Lough Derg:** "River of the Oak", flows through County Galway, known for its scenic beauty and its association with the ancient Celtic god, Dagda
23. **Lough Ree:** "River of the King", flows through County Roscommon, known for its scenic beauty and its association with the ancient Celtic king, Conn of the Hundred Battles
24. **Lough Corrib:** "River of the Sheep", flows through County Galway, known for its scenic beauty and its association with the ancient Celtic god, Cú Chulainn
25. **Lough Neagh:** "River of the Horses", flows through County Antrim, known for its scenic beauty and its association with the ancient Celtic goddess, Epona
26. **Lough Erne:** "River of the Alder", flows through County Fermanagh, known for its scenic beauty and its association with the ancient Celtic god, Lugh
27. **Lough Mask:** "River of the Eye", flows through County Mayo, known for its scenic beauty and its association with the ancient Celtic goddess, Brigid
28. **Lough Allen:** "River of the Stones", flows through County Leitrim, known for its scenic beauty and its association with the ancient Celtic god, Ogma
29. **Lough Arrow:** "River of the Arrow", flows through County Sligo, known for its scenic beauty and its association with the ancient Celtic god, Fintan
30. **Lough Conn:** "River of the Dog", flows through County Mayo, known for its scenic beauty and its association with the ancient Celtic god, Cernunnos
31. **Lough Gara:** "River of the Lake", flows through County Sligo, known for its scenic beauty and its association with the ancient Celtic goddess, Rhiannon
32. **Lough Melvin:** "River of the Honey", flows through County Fermanagh, known for its scenic beauty and its association with the ancient Celtic god, Bran
33. **Lough Melvin:** "River of the Honey", flows through County Leitrim, known for its scenic beauty and its association with the ancient Celtic god, Bran
34. **Lough Cullin:** "River of the White Horse", flows through County Mayo, known for its scenic beauty and its association with the ancient Celtic goddess, Epona
35. **Lough Key:** "River of the Island", flows through County Roscommon, known for its scenic beauty and its association with the ancient Celtic god, Lugh
36. **Lough Derravaragh:** "River of the Meeting of the Waters", flows through County Westmeath, known for its scenic beauty and its association with the ancient Celtic god, Nuada
37. **Lough Sheelin:** "River of the Salmon", flows through County Cavan, known for its scenic beauty and its association with the ancient Celtic goddess, Brigid
38. **Lough Owel:** "River of the Hill", flows through County Westmeath, known for its scenic beauty and its association with the ancient Celtic god, Ogma
39. **Lough Ennell:** "River of the Island", flows through County Westmeath, known for its scenic beauty and its association with the ancient Celtic god, Cernunnos
40. **Lough Ree:** "River of the King", flows through County Longford, known for its scenic beauty and its association with the ancient Celtic king, Conn of the Hundred Battles
41. **Lough Rinn:** "River of the Point", flows through County Galway, known for its scenic beauty and its association with the ancient Celtic goddess, Morrigan
42. **Lough Corrib:** "River of the Sheep", flows through County Mayo, known for its scenic beauty and its association with the ancient Celtic god, Cú Chulainn
43. **Lough Gara:** "River of the Lake", flows through County Roscommon, known for its scenic beauty and its association with the ancient Celtic goddess, Rhiannon