| The Shannon | | | | and entering the Atlantic Ocean at Wexford |
| Measuring 386 kilometres in length, the River | | | | Harbour. The River Suir has a rich history; stone |
| Shannon is the longest river on the island of | | | | settlements near the mouth of the river indicate |
| Ireland. Flowing in a southerly direction, the | | | | that human settlement of this area dates back as |
| Shannon rises in the Shannon Pot in County | | | | far as 4000 B.C. It also formed the western |
| Cavan on the slopes of the Cuilcagh mountain, | | | | border of the ancient Irish Kingdom of |
| passes through or between 10 different counties | | | | Osraí (the Barrow formed the eastern |
| and enters the Atlantic Ocean at the Shannon | | | | border). In recent years, Viking settlements have |
| Estuary near Limerick. The River Shannon is | | | | been discovered on the banks of the river. Many |
| significant from Irish historical, economical and | | | | activities now take place on the Suir, with fishing |
| social perspectives. As far back as the 10th | | | | and boating being two of the more popular ones. |
| century, Vikings used the Shannon in order to | | | | The Munster Blackwater |
| attack and raid Irish monasteries further inland. In | | | | The Munster Blackwater (so called to differentiate |
| the following centuries the Shannon played an | | | | it from the Leinster Blackwater that joins the |
| important role in many of the battles and wars | | | | River Boyne at Navan) is one of Ireland's largest |
| which took place in Ireland as it effectively divides | | | | rivers and one the fastest flowing, which causes |
| the western part of the island from the east. The | | | | flooding problems in the towns it passes through |
| Shannon boasts much beautiful scenery along its | | | | after heavy rains. The river is approximately 170 |
| course and a wide variety of activities take place | | | | kilometres long, rising in the Mullaghareirk |
| including cruises, water sports, etc. | | | | Mountains in Kerry, flowing east through County |
| | | | Cork before turning sharply south at Cappoquin, |
| The Barrow is one of the "Three Sisters" rivers | | | | County Waterford and entering the sea at |
| which are comprised of the Nore, the Suir and | | | | Youghal Harbour. The Munster Blackwater is best |
| the Barrow. All three rise in the same | | | | known as an excellent area for salmon fishing, |
| mountainous area of Tipperary and flow in a | | | | although in recent years salmon stocks have |
| southerly direction. The Barrow is 192 kilometres | | | | sharply declined. |
| in length (the second longest in Ireland) and enters | | | | The Nore |
| the Atlantic Ocean at Waterford. It also links with | | | | The second of the Three Sisters, the Nore, rises |
| the Grand Canal at Athy, which connects Dublin | | | | on the slopes of the Devil's Bit Mountain in County |
| with the Shannon in the west. The Barrow also | | | | Tipperary and flows in a south-easterly direction |
| passes through the town of New Ross in County | | | | for 140 kilometres before joining the Barrow just |
| Wexford where the replica famine ship "The | | | | north of New Ross in County Wexford. The Nore |
| Dunbrody" can be seen. | | | | also flows through the Mount Juliet Estate, one of |
| The Suir | | | | Ireland's top golf courses and fishing clubs. Salmon |
| The River Suir (184 kilometres in length) is the | | | | and brown trout are plentiful and fishing rights on |
| third of the Three Sisters and flows south from | | | | the Nore are held by Kilkenny Fishing Club. |
| the Devil's Bit Mountain before turning sharply east | | | | Historically, many water-reliant industries were |
| at the Comeragh Mountains (forming the border | | | | based on the Nore, such as breweries and |
| between County Waterford and County Kilkenny) | | | | distilleries. |