Glenelly River
Encyclopedia
Glenelly River is a river in County Tyrone
, Northern Ireland
. It flows flows westwards along the long linear Glenelly Valley
to the south of Sawel Mountain
, following one of the principal fault-lines in the Sperrin Mountains
. The river meanders across a complex, undulating floodplain
of alluvium
and glacial moraine
. The channel has often carved deep ridges within these soft deposits, creating steep, irregular mounds and pockets of peat
y marsh on the valley floor. The otter
has been recorded in the Glenelly River, which is important also for salmon
and trout
. The village of Plumbridge
stands on the banks of the Glenelly River which flows on to join the Owenkillew River near Newtownstewart
.
, but is better known for salmon and sea trout fishing.
, houses an exhibition on the history and geological character of the Sperrin region and mountains which was famous for its gold. The Heritage Centre is situated in the Glenelly valley and panning for gold in the Glenelly River is possible.
County Tyrone
Historically Tyrone stretched as far north as Lough Foyle, and comprised part of modern day County Londonderry east of the River Foyle. The majority of County Londonderry was carved out of Tyrone between 1610-1620 when that land went to the Guilds of London to set up profit making schemes based on...
, Northern Ireland
Northern Ireland
Northern Ireland is one of the four countries of the United Kingdom. Situated in the north-east of the island of Ireland, it shares a border with the Republic of Ireland to the south and west...
. It flows flows westwards along the long linear Glenelly Valley
Glenelly Valley
Glenelly Valley or simply Glenelly is the longest valley in the Sperrin Mountains in County Tyrone, Northern Ireland. It lies within the Sperrin Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty and is also in an Environmentally Sensitive Area ....
to the south of Sawel Mountain
Sawel Mountain
Sawel Mountain, historically Slieve Sawel , is a mountain in County Londonderry and County Tyrone, Northern Ireland. It is the highest peak in the Sperrin Mountains, and the seventh highest in Northern Ireland. To the north of Sawel is County Londonderry, and to the south, County Tyrone. The summit...
, following one of the principal fault-lines in the Sperrin Mountains
Sperrins
The Sperrins or Sperrin Mountains are a range of mountains in Northern Ireland and one of the largest upland areas in Ireland. The range stretches the counties of Tyrone and Londonderry from south of Strabane eastwards to Maghera and north towards Limavady...
. The river meanders across a complex, undulating floodplain
Floodplain
A floodplain, or flood plain, is a flat or nearly flat land adjacent a stream or river that stretches from the banks of its channel to the base of the enclosing valley walls and experiences flooding during periods of high discharge...
of alluvium
Alluvium
Alluvium is loose, unconsolidated soil or sediments, eroded, deposited, and reshaped by water in some form in a non-marine setting. Alluvium is typically made up of a variety of materials, including fine particles of silt and clay and larger particles of sand and gravel...
and glacial moraine
Moraine
A moraine is any glacially formed accumulation of unconsolidated glacial debris which can occur in currently glaciated and formerly glaciated regions, such as those areas acted upon by a past glacial maximum. This debris may have been plucked off a valley floor as a glacier advanced or it may have...
. The channel has often carved deep ridges within these soft deposits, creating steep, irregular mounds and pockets of peat
Peat
Peat is an accumulation of partially decayed vegetation matter or histosol. Peat forms in wetland bogs, moors, muskegs, pocosins, mires, and peat swamp forests. Peat is harvested as an important source of fuel in certain parts of the world...
y marsh on the valley floor. The otter
Otter
The Otters are twelve species of semi-aquatic mammals which feed on fish and shellfish, and also other invertebrates, amphibians, birds and small mammals....
has been recorded in the Glenelly River, which is important also for salmon
Salmon
Salmon is the common name for several species of fish in the family Salmonidae. Several other fish in the same family are called trout; the difference is often said to be that salmon migrate and trout are resident, but this distinction does not strictly hold true...
and trout
Trout
Trout is the name for a number of species of freshwater and saltwater fish belonging to the Salmoninae subfamily of the family Salmonidae. Salmon belong to the same family as trout. Most salmon species spend almost all their lives in salt water...
. The village of Plumbridge
Plumbridge
Plumbridge is a small village in County Tyrone, Northern Ireland. It is a crossroads village, standing on the banks of the Glenelly River. In the 2001 Census it had a population of 267 people. It lies within the Strabane District Council area....
stands on the banks of the Glenelly River which flows on to join the Owenkillew River near Newtownstewart
Newtownstewart
Newtownstewart is a village and townland in County Tyrone, Northern Ireland. It is overlooked by hills called Bessy Bell and Mary Gray and is at the confluence of the rivers Strule and Owenkillew. In the 2001 Census it had a population of 1,479 people. It lies within the Strabane District Council...
.
Angling
The Glenelly River has wild brown troutBrown trout
The brown trout and the sea trout are fish of the same species....
, but is better known for salmon and sea trout fishing.
Culture
Sperrin Heritage Centre in CranaghCranagh
Cranagh is a small village in County Tyrone, Northern Ireland. It is in the Glenelly Valley, about seven miles from Plumbridge.In the 2001 Census it had a population of 66 people. It is within the Strabane District Council area.- Places of interest :...
, houses an exhibition on the history and geological character of the Sperrin region and mountains which was famous for its gold. The Heritage Centre is situated in the Glenelly valley and panning for gold in the Glenelly River is possible.