River Faughan Explained

River Faughan
Name Etymology:Fochain, character in Irish legend
Length:47.5km (29.5miles)
Subdivision Type1:Sovereign State
Subdivision Type2:Constituent Country
Subdivision Type3:Cities
Basin Size:295km2
Discharge1 Avg:10.72m3/s

The River Faughan (; Irish: An Fhochaine[1]) is a river in northwest Northern Ireland.[2]

Legend

According to Lebor Gabála Érenn (11th century), Fochain was a daughter of Partholón, an ancient settler of Ireland.[3] In the Táin Bó Cúailnge, Cúchulainn meets with Medb and Fergus mac Róich in Glenn Fochaine.[4] A more prosaic etymology could be the Old Irish fochaín, "smooth-bottomed."[5]

Course

The River Faughan rises on Sawel Mountain, north of Park and flows northwestwards through Claudy, crossing the A6 west of Drumahoe. It flows northwards on the eastern edge of Derry city, being bridged by the A2 between Campsey and Strathfoyle. The Faughan enters Lough Foyle east of Coolkeeragh power station.

Wildlife

The River Faughan is a brown trout and salmon fishery.[6]

In culture

"The Faughan Side" is a traditional Irish song from the early 20th century, sung by Eddie Butcher.[7]

The river gives its name to Faughan Valley Golf Club, near Eglinton.

See also

References

54.8708°N -7.0705°W

Notes and References

  1. Web site: An Fhochaine/Faughan River. logainm.ie. 4 May 2016.
  2. Web site: River Faughan and Tributaries Catchment – Status Report 2009 . . https://web.archive.org/web/20160630135042/http://www.loughs-agency.org/fs/doc/publications/river-faughan-and-tributaries-catchment-status-report-2009.pdf . 30 June 2016.
  3. Web site: LEBOR GABÁLA ÉRENN: The Book of the Taking of Ireland. PART VI, Index D - F . 2008 . R. A. Stewart Macalister . University College Cork.
  4. Web site: The Tain Bo Culaigne - The Proposals. 5 May 2016. 12 October 2015. https://web.archive.org/web/20151012035437/http://www.celtic-twilight.com/ireland/tain/proposals.htm. dead.
  5. Web site: eDIL - Irish Language Dictionary. dil.ie.
  6. Web site: River Faughan & Tributaries Catchment – Status Report 2007 . The Loughs Agency (FCILC) . https://web.archive.org/web/20160630134534/http://www.loughs-agency.org/fs/doc/publications/2007-faughan.pdf . 30 June 2016.
  7. Web site: The Faughan side, song / Eddie Butcher, singing in English.