Roe Valley Country Park facts for kids

The Roe Valley Country Park is a beautiful forest area in Northern Ireland. It's located near Limavady in County Londonderry. The park follows part of the River Roe. It's looked after by the Northern Ireland Environment Agency. This agency helps protect nature in Northern Ireland.

The park is about 3 miles (5 km) long. It has many trees that lose their leaves in autumn. These trees grow along both sides of the River Roe. The land next to the river is mostly a steep gorge. Some flat grassy areas are found on the northwest side. The river can get very full and fast after heavy rain. This is easy to see near the visitor centre. Here, the river flows through a very narrow part of the gorge. There's a famous story about a dog here. The legend says a dog jumped across the River Roe. It was carrying a message to warn the O'Cahan family in Limavady about danger.

What to See and Do at Roe Valley Park

Roe Valley Country Park offers many interesting things to explore. You can learn about local history. You can also enjoy fun outdoor activities.

The Visitor Centre and Museum

The park has a visitor centre. This building has offices for park staff. It also has a cafe where you can get a snack. There's an exhibition area too. Here, you can learn more about the park and its history.

Near the visitor centre is the Green Lane Museum. This museum shows what life was like long ago. You can see exhibits about the local linen industry. Linen is a fabric made from flax plants. The museum also shows old farming tools. You can learn about other items from rural life. The Green Lane Museum closes for winter. It usually reopens around Easter. It's a good idea to check their opening hours before you visit.

History of the Park

The Roe Valley area has a rich history. In the 1700s, the linen industry was very important here. You can still see parts of the old linen factories. There are fields where flax was dried. You can also see old watch towers. These towers were used to guard the flax. There are also old buildings and a waterwheel. This waterwheel once powered the machines that made linen.

The park also has an old hydroelectric power station. This station used the river's water to make electricity. It was the first one to open in Northern Ireland. It started making power in 1896.

Fun Activities at Roe Valley Park

Roe Valley Country Park is a great place for outdoor adventures. There are many ways to enjoy the river and the forest.

River Activities

You can go fishing for salmon and brown trout in the river. You need a special permit to fish here. Some parts of the river have fast-moving water called rapids. There are also small dams called weirs. These areas are sometimes used for kayaking. However, the park officially does not allow boats or canoes.

Some people used to climb on the rocks at O'Cahan's Rock. This activity is now restricted for safety. There is a section of the river below O'Cahan's Rock that is used for swimming. It's near a bridge and a weir.

Exploring the Park

The forest is a popular place for orienteering. This is a sport where you use a map and compass. Local clubs and schools from Limavady use the park for orienteering.

Several bridges cross the river in the park. The bridge near the visitor centre is big enough for cars. Other bridges are just for walking. You can find footbridges below the O'Cahan's Rock car park. There's another one below O'Cahan's Rock itself. More bridges are at Carrick Mills and below Carrick Church. These bridges help you explore both sides of the river.