Aherlow River facts for kids

The Aherlow River (which is called An Eatharlach in Irish) is a river in County Limerick and County Tipperary, Ireland. It is known for its beautiful valley and the fish that live in its waters.

What's in a Name?

The name Aherlow comes from an old Irish word, eatharlach. This word means "lowland between two high lands." Think of it as a valley! In this case, the Aherlow River flows through a valley between the Galtee Mountains and Slievenamuck.

Where Does the River Flow?

The Aherlow River starts in Anglesborough, which is in County Limerick. It first flows west towards Ballygibbon. Then, it turns north. The river meets two smaller streams in Lyre. It continues flowing north near Galbally, County Limerick.

After that, the river turns east. It passes under the R663 road. For about 5 kilometers (3 miles), the river forms the border between County Limerick and County Tipperary.

The Aherlow River then enters the famous Glen of Aherlow. It winds and turns through the Glen, like a snake. It meets the Clydagh River at a place called Pollagh. Another small stream joins it at Ashgrove. Here, the river flows under the old five-arch Ashgrove Bridge.

The Aherlow River keeps going east. It passes under the Limerick–Rosslare railway line in Tankerstown. The N24 road also crosses over it. Finally, it meets the River Ara and another stream at Ballymorris. The river then flows southeast. It eventually joins the much larger River Suir at Kilmoyler.

Wildlife in the River

The Aherlow River is a great place for fishing. Many rivers that flow into the River Suir are known for their fish. The Aherlow River is especially famous for its brown trout. These fish are popular with anglers (people who fish).