River Swilly
Encyclopedia
The River Swilly is a river
in the Republic of Ireland
, which flows in an eastern direction through Letterkenny
, County Donegal
. Letterkenny, the largest town in County Donegal, is built on the river and became the first crossing point on the river in the 17th century.
, who was born in Gartan
. Letterkenny DJ and Producer Diarmuid O'Doherty produced a song, A Monster in the River Swilly, about this legend.
at Lough Swilly
.
is powered by the waters of the river.
.
Devlin Way was the first pedestrian bridge built over the River Swilly. The bridge was installed on October 25, 2006 in Letterkenny
. The bridge connects the suburban Oldtown
area with the town centre. It was designed by TS McLaughlin Structural Engineers and the ironwork was constructed by Bonnar Engineering. The bridge cost €100,000 to construct. A maroon
-coloured cambered steel structure which measures 28 metres long and 2.2 metres wide, the new bridge proves a major impact on the safety of pedestrians, especially OAP
s and school-going children. It is lit by lamp cast from iron and it also contains a commemorative stone seat with a plaque. The bridge is neighbour to the much older and well known Oldtown Bridge.
The bridge was officially opened on November 14, 2006 by local councillor Ciaran Brogan. The bridge is named in honour of the Devlin family who live beside the bridge.
River
A river is a natural watercourse, usually freshwater, flowing towards an ocean, a lake, a sea, or another river. In a few cases, a river simply flows into the ground or dries up completely before reaching another body of water. Small rivers may also be called by several other names, including...
in the Republic of Ireland
Republic of Ireland
Ireland , described as the Republic of Ireland , is a sovereign state in Europe occupying approximately five-sixths of the island of the same name. Its capital is Dublin. Ireland, which had a population of 4.58 million in 2011, is a constitutional republic governed as a parliamentary democracy,...
, which flows in an eastern direction through Letterkenny
Letterkenny
Letterkenny , with a population of 17,568, is the largest town in County Donegal, part of the Province of Ulster in Ireland. The town is located on the River Swilly...
, County Donegal
County Donegal
County Donegal is a county in Ireland. It is part of the Border Region and is also located in the province of Ulster. It is named after the town of Donegal. Donegal County Council is the local authority for the county...
. Letterkenny, the largest town in County Donegal, is built on the river and became the first crossing point on the river in the 17th century.
History
The river takes its name Súileach from a man-eating water monster that was chopped in half by Saint ColumbaColumba
Saint Columba —also known as Colum Cille , Colm Cille , Calum Cille and Kolban or Kolbjørn —was a Gaelic Irish missionary monk who propagated Christianity among the Picts during the Early Medieval Period...
, who was born in Gartan
Gartan
Gartan is a parish in County Donegal, Ireland. It is best known for being the birthplace of Saint Colmcille or Columba, one of the three patron saints of Ireland and one of the most revered saints in the Christian world. Here he founded a monastery in 521...
. Letterkenny DJ and Producer Diarmuid O'Doherty produced a song, A Monster in the River Swilly, about this legend.
Course
The River Swilly rises near Glendore, a mountain in County Donegal, and flows for around 41.8 km (26 mi) through Letterkenny before flowing into the Atlantic OceanAtlantic Ocean
The Atlantic Ocean is the second-largest of the world's oceanic divisions. With a total area of about , it covers approximately 20% of the Earth's surface and about 26% of its water surface area...
at Lough Swilly
Lough Swilly
Lough Swilly in Ireland is a glacial fjord or sea inlet lying between the western side of the Inishowen Peninsula and the Fanad Peninsula, in County Donegal. Along with Carlingford Lough and Killary Harbour it is one of three known glacial fjords in Ireland....
.
Navigation and use
The river is nearly 26 miles (41.8 km) long. A shipping industry once operated on the Swilly in Letterkenny. The river was extremely hard for larger ships to navigate, as it was narrow and has many bends near Letterkenny. The port was closed to commercial shipping in the 1960s and its warehouses were demolished in 2001. The coal yard still remains on the old site opposite the Mount Errigal Hotel. Newmills Corn and Flax MillsNewmills Corn and Flax Mills
Newmills Corn and Flax Mills are situated on the R250, Churchill road, beside Newmills Bridge on the south bank of the River Swilly, 5 kilometres west of Letterkenny in the small town of Milltown in County Donegal, Ireland. It features one of the largest, still working, waterwheels in the country...
is powered by the waters of the river.
Fishing
The Swilly traditionally produced approximately 300-400 salmon per year. The heaviest salmon recorded is of 24lbs as well as a sea trout of 12lbs. The river is considered one of the best fishing rivers in the north west of IrelandIreland
Ireland is an island to the northwest of continental Europe. It is the third-largest island in Europe and the twentieth-largest island on Earth...
.
Crossings
The Swilly is spanned by numerous bridges mostly open to road traffic. In Letterkenny there are four bridges across the river:| Bridge | Image |
|---|---|
| Oldtown Bridge |  |
| Port Bridge |  |
| Rail Bridge |  |
| Devlin Way |  |
Devlin Way
Letterkenny
Letterkenny , with a population of 17,568, is the largest town in County Donegal, part of the Province of Ulster in Ireland. The town is located on the River Swilly...
. The bridge connects the suburban Oldtown
Oldtown, Letterkenny
Oldtown is a district located in the parish of Conwal and Leck in Letterkenny, County Donegal, Ireland. As its name suggests, it is the oldest part of the town and became the starting point of the town's development...
area with the town centre. It was designed by TS McLaughlin Structural Engineers and the ironwork was constructed by Bonnar Engineering. The bridge cost €100,000 to construct. A maroon
Maroon (color)
Maroon is a dark red color.-Etymology:Maroon is derived from French marron .The first recorded use of maroon as a color name in English was in 1789.-Maroon :...
-coloured cambered steel structure which measures 28 metres long and 2.2 metres wide, the new bridge proves a major impact on the safety of pedestrians, especially OAP
OAP
OAP may refer to:*OAP Tower, or Osaka Amenity Park Tower, plaza and office developments in Japan,*Old Age Pensioner - a person who has retired, and now collects a pension*One Australia policy - a proposal in the 1980s to limit Asian immigration to Australia...
s and school-going children. It is lit by lamp cast from iron and it also contains a commemorative stone seat with a plaque. The bridge is neighbour to the much older and well known Oldtown Bridge.
The bridge was officially opened on November 14, 2006 by local councillor Ciaran Brogan. The bridge is named in honour of the Devlin family who live beside the bridge.