shannon

The Naming of the Shannon

The Shannon River is Ireland's largest river. Winding through the gentle countryside, the river is a prominent feature in the country. This legend tells of how this beautiful river was named.

A long time ago there was a well in Ossory, shaded by a rowan tree. When the berries of the tree became ripe they would drop into the water, and be eaten by the salmon who lived in the well. Red spots would appear on the fish, and they received the name of "salmon of knowledge". It was not so easy to take these salmon, for there were shelving banks, and they could also retreat into the cavern from which the waters issued that supplied the well.

However, one was occasionally caught, and the captor, upon eating the fish would receive the gift of extraordinary knowledge, as was Fion, son of Cumhail. It was understood that no woman could taste of this delicacy and live. Yet Sionan, a lady with an incredible desire for knowledge, braved the danger, suspecting the report to be spread abroad and maintained by the male sex for purely selfish motives. So, in order to lose no time, Sionan built a fire by the side of the well, and the unfortunate fish was scarcely flung out on the grass when it was frying on the coals.

None can describe the rapture Sionan felt from the burst of light that filled her mind on swallowing the first morsel! Alas - the next moment she was enveloped by the furious waters, which, bursting forth, swept westwards, and carried the unfortunate lady with them till she was lost in the great river which ever after bore her name.