River Moyola

54°48′00″N 7°04′59″W / 54.800°N 7.083°W / 54.800; -7.083

Moyola River
Castledawson Bridge over the Moyola
Map
Native name
  • Abhainn na Scríne
  • An Bhior
Location
CountryNorthern Ireland
Physical characteristics
Source 
 • locationSperrin Mountains
Mouth 
 • location
Lough Neagh
Length27 mi (43 km)

The River Moyola or Moyola River (Irish: Abhainn na Scríne[1]) stretches for approximately 27 miles from the Sperrin Mountains to Lough Neagh.[2] The Moyola starts a small river (3-5 metres; 10' to 16') for the first few miles of its length and proceeds to expand to a medium-sized river (5-20 metres; 16' to 65') and then to a large river (20 metres +; 65' plus) for its last couple of miles before Lough Neagh. In ancient times, the River Moyola was known as the 'Bior', and served as the border between the Airgiallan kingdoms of Fir Li and Ui Tuirtri.[citation needed]

Forgetown Bridge

According to Deirdre and Laurence Flanagan in their book, Irish Place Names, the River Moyola derives its name from Magh nÉola, meaning Éolas Plain.[3]

  1. ^ "Abhainn na Scríne". logainm.ie.
  2. ^ 54°42′50″N 6°32′20″W / 54.714°N 6.539°W / 54.714; -6.539
  3. ^ Deirdre & Laurence Flanagan, Irish Place Names; ISBN 0-7171-3396-6