River Suck facts for kids
Quick facts for kids River Suck |
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River Suck, Athleague
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| Native name | An tSuca |
| Country | Ireland |
| Physical characteristics | |
| Main source | Lough O'Flynn, County Roscommon 72 metres (236 ft) |
| River mouth | River Shannon Shannonbridge, County Offaly |
| Length | 133 kilometres (83 mi) |
| Basin features | |
| Basin size | 1,600 square kilometres (620 sq mi) |
| Tributaries |
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The River Suck (called An tSuca in Irish) is an important river in Ireland. It flows for about 133 kilometers (82.5 miles). The River Suck is the main river that flows into the famous River Shannon. It joins the Shannon near the village of Shannonbridge.
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What's in a Name? The River Suck's Meaning
The name of the River Suck comes from the Irish word suca. What suca means exactly is not fully known. Some people think it might come from an old Irish word, succín, which means "amber". Amber is a beautiful, fossilized tree resin.
Other ideas suggest the name could be linked to the Old Irish word súg. This word means "juice" or "sap." So, the river's name might describe its flowing water, like the sap in a tree.
Where Does the River Suck Flow?
The River Suck drains a large area of land, about 1,599 square kilometers (617 square miles). This means it collects water from a wide region. The river forms a big part of the border between two Irish counties: County Roscommon and County Galway. It flows along the western side of County Roscommon.
Together with the River Shannon on its eastern side, the River Suck helps create the long, narrow shape of southern County Roscommon. The river starts in the hills where County Mayo and County Roscommon meet. It flows out of Lough O'Flynn and generally moves south and then southeast.
Many towns and villages are located along the River Suck. These include Athleague, Ballinasloe, Ballyforan, Ballymoe, Castlerea, Glinsk, and Tulrush. Finally, the river flows into the River Shannon just south of the village of Shannonbridge.
Nature and Wildlife of the River Suck
The water in the River Suck is very clean and not polluted. It flows through beautiful, untouched countryside. You can see moorland, which are open areas of land, along with green water meadows and pastureland where animals graze.
Some parts of the river flow quickly, while other parts are slow and winding. The river is home to many different types of fish. You can find lots of bream, rudd, and tench in certain areas. Perch and pike are also very common.
To help prevent flooding in the town of Ballinasloe, a special structure called a weir was built in 1885. This weir is just above a four-arch bridge. It has special doors that can be lifted when a flood is expected. This helps control the water levels and protect the town.
Explore the Suck Valley Way
The Suck Valley Way is a fantastic long-distance trail for hiking and exploring. It is a circular route, meaning it starts and ends in the same place. The trail is about 105 kilometers (65 miles) long. It begins and finishes in Castlerea, which is in County Roscommon.
This trail is officially recognized as a National Waymarked Trail. This means it's a well-marked path for walkers. It is managed by several groups, including Roscommon County Council, the Roscommon Integrated Development Company, and the Suck Valley Committee. They work together to keep the trail in great condition for everyone to enjoy.
See also
In Spanish: Río Suck para niños
