List of rivers of County Clare facts for kids

County Clare in Ireland is a beautiful place with many rivers and streams. This article will tell you about the main rivers that flow through this county. Most of County Clare's rivers are part of the big Shannon River Basin, which means their water eventually flows into the River Shannon. A smaller part of the county's rivers are in the "Western River Basin District," and these flow straight into the Atlantic Ocean.

Major Rivers

The most important river in County Clare is the Shannon. It's one of Ireland's longest rivers!

• The River Fergus is a major river that flows into the Shannon. It starts in the northwest near Corofin.
  • A smaller part of the Fergus, called the Fergus Minor River, flows on the north side of Ennis.

Rivers You Can Travel On

Some rivers in County Clare were once used by boats for trade. Today, you won't see many big trading boats, but people still enjoy using these rivers for fun, like boating or kayaking.

The Rhine is a tidal river

• The Moyasta River flows from Moyasta Bog into Poulnasherry Bay.
• The Ratty River is also known as the Owengarney River or O'Garney River. It flows into the Shannon near Sixmilebridge. Long ago, boats used this river for trade. But in 1784, a bridge called "D’Esterre’s Bridge" was built. It was too low for big boats, and the river channel became too narrow and dangerous for smaller boats. This stopped much of the river trade.
• The Rhine (not the famous one in Europe!) is also called Latoon Creek or Ardsollus River. It's a branch of the Fergus River and connects to Quin.
• The Scariff River flows into the Shannon from Lough O'Grady to Lough Derg.

Other Rivers in the Shannon-Fergus System

Many other rivers and streams in County Clare are also part of the large Shannon-Fergus river system. This means their water eventually joins the Shannon or the Fergus rivers.

• The Ballygriffey River is a branch of the Fergus.
• The Claureen River, also called Inch River, flows from Inch to Ennis and joins the Fergus.
• The River Graney is a main source for the Scariff River. It flows from Lough Graney to Lough O'Grady.
  • The Bleach River is one of the rivers that feeds into Lough Graney, starting from Lough Atorick.
• The Moyree River flows from County Galway through Dromore Lake before joining the Fergus.

Rivers Flowing to the Atlantic Ocean

Not all rivers in County Clare flow into the Shannon. Some rivers flow directly into the Atlantic Ocean.

Bridge over the river Aille near Lisdoonvarna

The Caher River is partly a Subterranean river, "overflowing" from beneath the rock in winters or in times of heavy rain

Carrowkeel River

• The Aille River (sometimes called Cronagort Stream) flows from Lisdoonvarna to Doolin, which is south of the Burren region.
• The Annagh River flows from Slievecallan to Spanish Point.
• The Caher River is special because it's one of the only rivers in the Burren that stays above ground all the time. Even then, some of its water flows underground! It reaches the beach at Fanore.
• The Cree River (also spelled Creegh River or Creagh River) flows from north of Kilmihil, through Cree, and into Doughmore Bay.
• The Dealagh River starts in The Burren (north of Kilfenora) and flows into Liscannor Bay.
• The Doonbeg River, also known as Cooraclare River, flows from near Kilmaley, through Cooraclare to Doonbeg and Doonbeg Bay.
• The Inagh River, also called Cullenagh River, flows southeast of Slievecallan, through Inagh and Ennistymon, and into Liscannor Bay.