Mulroy Bay facts for kids
Mulroy Bay (which is Cuan na Maoil Ruaidh in Irish) is a beautiful sea loch located on the northern coast of County Donegal, Ireland. A sea loch is like a long, narrow arm of the sea that reaches inland, often surrounded by land. Mulroy Bay is known for its unique and winding shape.
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Mulroy Bay: Ireland's Winding Waterway
Mulroy Bay is one of the most twisty and complex sea inlets in northwest Ireland. Imagine a long, narrow river that is actually part of the ocean, with many turns and bends. That's a bit like Mulroy Bay!
What Makes Mulroy Bay Special?
This bay stretches about 12 kilometers (about 7.5 miles) from north to south. Its entrance is quite narrow and leads into a winding channel that is 10 kilometers (about 6 miles) long. This channel changes in width and depth as you travel through it.
- Narrow Passages: Along this channel, there are three very narrow spots, only about 100 to 150 meters (330 to 490 feet) wide.
- Strong Currents: In these narrow sections, the water currents can become very strong, reaching speeds of 3 to 5 knots. A knot is a unit of speed used for boats, and 5 knots is about 9 kilometers per hour (5.7 miles per hour)!
- The Broad Water: After the winding channel, the bay opens up into a wider area called the Broad Water. This part is like a shallow, open sea loch, about 8 kilometers (5 miles) long and 2.5 kilometers (1.5 miles) wide. It's usually less than 20 meters (65 feet) deep and has many small rocky islands.
Towns and Villages Around the Bay
Several towns and villages are built along the shores of Mulroy Bay. These include Milford, Kerrykeel, and Cranford. People living in these areas often enjoy the scenic views and activities related to the bay.
Where Does the Name Come From?
The English name "Mulroy Bay" comes from the original Irish language name, Cuan na Mhaoil Ruaidh. This Irish name means 'Bay of the Red Current' or 'Bay of the Red Stream'. It likely refers to the strong currents that flow through the narrow parts of the bay.
