River Brosna facts for kids
Quick facts for kids River Brosna |
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Old mill on the Brosna at Kilbeggan
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| Native name | An Bhrosnach |
| Country | Ireland |
| Physical characteristics | |
| Main source | Near Mullingar, County Westmeath |
| River mouth | River Shannon Shannon Harbour |
| Length | 79.26 kilometres (49.25 mi) |
| Basin features | |
| River system | Shannon |
| Basin size | 1,248 km2 (482 sq mi) |
The River Brosna (which means An Bhrosnach in Irish) is an important river in Ireland. It flows through County Westmeath and County Offaly. This river is part of the larger Shannon River Basin, which is the area of land drained by the River Shannon and its many branches.
The Brosna starts its journey in Lough Owel, a lake located north of Mullingar. It then flows into the mighty River Shannon, which is Ireland's longest river. The Brosna joins the Shannon at a place called Shannon Harbour. The River Brosna is about 79 kilometers (49 miles) long.
Journey of the River Brosna
The Brosna begins as a small stream flowing out of Lough Owel. It travels south through the town of Mullingar before reaching another lake, Lough Ennell.
After leaving Lough Ennell, the river continues its path towards Kilbeggan. Here, the river's power is still used to run the old mill at the famous Kilbeggan Distillery.
The Brosna keeps flowing southwest, passing through towns like Clara, Ballycumber, and Pullough. East of Ferbane, another river called the Silver River joins the Brosna. From Ferbane, the Brosna heads towards Shannon Harbour, which is north of Banagher, where it finally meets the River Shannon.
Fishing in the Brosna
The River Brosna is a popular spot for people who enjoy fly fishing. It is home to many brown trout, which are a type of freshwater fish. You can also find some salmon and young salmon, called grilse, in its waters.
However, the river has faced some challenges with pollution in recent years. Sometimes, the water quality can be affected by things like dirty water from the Mullingar area, especially during heavy rain. There have also been times when other harmful substances have accidentally entered the river. These issues can make it harder for the fish to live and thrive in the Brosna.
Improving the River's Flow
In the late 1940s and early 1950s, a big project was carried out on the River Brosna. This project cost a lot of money, about IR £750,000 back then. The goal was to improve how water drained from the land around the river.
Ireland has many low-lying areas, which can lead to poor drainage and flooding. To fix this, the river was made deeper and wider. This work was part of a larger plan called the Arterial Drainage Scheme. Because of this project, the Brosna now has high banks, which is a common feature of many rivers in the Irish midlands that received this kind of treatment. More recently, in 2008, a part of the river near Mullingar was moved to make space for a new roundabout and bridge for the N52 road.
