River Roe facts for kids
Quick facts for kids River Roe |
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River Roe flowing through The Roe Valley Country Park, Limavady
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| Native name | Abhainn na Ró |
| Physical characteristics | |
| Main source | Glenshane, Sperrins |
| River mouth | North Channel via Lough Foyle |
| Length | 34.25 miles (55.12 km) |
The River Roe is a river found in County Londonderry, Northern Ireland. It starts high up in the Sperrin Mountains near Glenshane. From there, it flows north all the way to Lough Foyle. Along its journey, the river passes through towns like Dungiven, Burnfoot, Limavady, and Myroe. The River Roe is about 34.25 miles (55.12 km) long.
What's in a Name? The River Roe's Story
Have you ever wondered where a river gets its name? For the River Roe, it's a bit of a mystery! One idea is that its name comes from the Vikings. They might have named it around the 700s or 800s.
Another idea is that the name comes from the Irish language. The Irish word rua means 'red'. So, it could mean 'The Red River'. This might be because some parts of the river have a lot of iron, which can make the water look reddish.
The Irish government's official records for place names call it Abhainn na Ró. This means "The River of Rowing". Maybe people used to travel along the river a lot in boats powered by oars!
The River Roe's Journey Through the Land
The area around the River Roe is called the Roe Valley. It's a wide valley that was shaped by glaciers long ago. For much of its path to Limavady, the river flows through open, grassy farmland. This area is used for raising animals like sheep and cows.
As the river gets closer to Roe Valley Country Park, it flows through a narrow gorge. This gorge is made of strong, changed rock called metamorphic rock. After Limavady, the river gets wider. It then winds its way to an estuary, which is where the river meets the sea. This estuary flows into Lough Foyle at Myroe Levels.
Because the upper parts of the Roe Valley are wide and open, heavy rain can make the river rise quickly. Many fields near the river have special earth walls. These walls help stop the river from flooding when it gets too high. The estuary is also a great place for birds to find food. Many birds, like the lapwing, also build their nests there.
Fishing Fun in the River Roe
The Roe Valley Country Park is a super popular spot for fishing! If you like to fish, you might catch different types of fish here. The river has lots of salmon, which are famous for swimming upstream. You can also find sea trout and brown trout in these waters. It's a great place to spend a day enjoying nature and trying to catch some fish!
