| River Erne | |
|---|---|
 The River Erne inBallyshannon | |
 | |
| Native name | An Éirne (Irish) |
| Location | |
| Countries | Republic of Ireland,Northern Ireland |
| Physical characteristics | |
| Source | |
| • location | Slieve Glah,County Cavan,Ireland |
| • elevation | ~255 m (837 ft) |
| Mouth | |
• location | Donegal Bay atBallyshannon,County Donegal |
• coordinates | 54°30′27″N8°15′31″W / 54.5074°N 8.2585°W /54.5074; -8.2585 |
| Length | ~129 km (80 mi) |
| Basin size | 4,372 km2 (1,688 sq mi) |
| Discharge | |
| • average | 101.7 m3/s (3,590 cu ft/s) |
| Basin features | |
| Tributaries | |
| • left | Arney River,Sillees River |
| • right | River Annalee,River Finn (Erne tributary),Colebrooke River,Ballycassidy River,Kesh River,Brannagh River |
TheRiver Erne (/ɛərn/AIRN,Irish:Abhainn na hÉirne orAn Éirne) in the northwest of the island ofIreland, is the second-longest river inUlster, flowing throughNorthern Ireland and theRepublic of Ireland, and forming part of their border.
The Erne rises on the east shoulder of Slieve Glah mountain[1] three miles south of Cavan inCounty Cavan, Republic of Ireland, and flows 80 miles (129 km)[2] throughLough Gowna,Lough Oughter and Upper and LowerLough Erne,County Fermanagh, Northern Ireland, to the sea atBallyshannon,County Donegal back in the Republic.[3] Theriver is 120 kilometres long and is used forfly fishing fortrout andsalmon, with a number offisheries along both the river itself and its tributaries. The town ofEnniskillen is mostly situated on an island in the river, between Upper and Lower Lough Erne. It is linked to theRiver Shannon by theShannon–Erne Waterway.
The total catchment area of the River Erne is 4,372 km2.[4]The long-term average rate of the River Erne is 101.7 cubic metres per second (m3/s).[4]
The river takes its name from amythical princess namedÉirne.
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Live-aboard pleasure cruisers operate from several locations along the Erne waterway, including Belturbet, Knockniny, Carrybridge, Bellanaleck,Enniskillen, and Killadeas.[citation needed] In addition to the use of the Erne for live-aboard boating holidays, sections of the river are used for water skiing, bank fishing,trolling, jet skiing and scuba diving.[citation needed] Boaters are cautioned, by the Northern Ireland Tourist Board, that Upper Lough Erne is a maze of small islands needing careful navigation, and waves on Lower Lough Erne can reach "open-sea dimensions".[5]
The Erne waterway is home to ancient ruins, both Christian and Pagan, with ruins found in several locations, including:Crom Estate, on the North bank of the Upper Erne channel,Gad Island, near Crom Estate,Devenish Island,Inismacsaint Island,Davy’s Island,White Island, andBoa Island. Many of these locations can only be reached by boat.
Devenish Island has a historical display centre adjacent to its ruins. Visitors sometimes use rental boats and theOrdnance Survey of Northern Ireland Activity Map of Lough Erne (ISBN 978-1-905306-26-8) to locate these ancient sites.[citation needed]
The songBuachaill Ón Éirne is anIrishballad about a young boy from the Erne area. It has been recorded by such groups asClannad andThe Corrs.[citation needed]
The Erne is also mentioned in a traditional song,An Mhaighdeán Mhara, which has been recorded byMairéad Ní Mhaonaigh ofAltan,Maighread Ní Dhomhnaill, andMoya Brennan.[citation needed]
A number of places were once accessible by train along the River Erne, with the once extensiveGreat Northern Railway and theSligo, Leitrim and Northern Counties Railway both serving the area.
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