Geography of Irish Rivers
Main Article: Geography of Ireland
The main river in Ireland is the River Shannon, 386 km (240 mi), the longest river in either Britain or Ireland, which separates the boggy midlands of Ireland from the West of Ireland. The river develops into three lakes along its course, Lough Allen, Lough Ree and Lough Derg. Of these, Lough Derg is the biggest. The River Shannon enters the Atlantic Ocean after Limerick city at the Shannon Estuary. Other major rivers include the River Liffey, River Lee, River Blackwater, River Nore, River Suir, River Barrow and River Boyne.
See Also: list of rivers in Ireland
History of Irish Rivers
Main Article: History of Ireland
Irish waterways have been used for transport since the earilest times. The Vikings used the rivers for raiding deep inland. The Viking sea-king, Thormodr Helgason, used his base on the west coast to raid the length of the River Shannon from Lough Derg to Lough Ree, pillaging ecclesiastical settlements. In 937 the Limerick Vikings clashed with those of Dublin on Lough Ree and were defeated. In 943 they were defeated again when the chief of the local Dalcassian clan joined with Ceallachan, king of Munster and the Limerick Vikings were forced to pay tribute to the clans. The power of the Vikings never recovered, and they reduced to the level of a minor clan, however often playing pivotal parts in the endless power struggles of the next few centuries.
The Canals
Canals were built in the 19th Century connecting the River Shannon to Dublin. They were important for the transport of goods before the Railways took over
Grand Canal of Ireland
Royal Canal of Ireland
Economics of Irish Rivers
Main Articles: Transportation in Ireland
Culture and Legends
Main Article: Culture of Ireland, Celtic Mythology
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