River Faughan

The River Faughan (/ˈfɒhən/; 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.^{[citation needed]}

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, notably collected from the singing of Eddie Butcher.^[7]

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

See also

• Rivers of Ireland

References

1. ^ "An Fhochaine/Faughan River". logainm.ie. Retrieved 4 May 2016.
2. ^ "River Faughan and Tributaries Catchment – Status Report 2009". Loughs Agency of the Foyle Carlingford and Irish Lights Commission. Archived 30 June 2016 at the Wayback Machine.
3. ^ R. A. Stewart Macalister (ed.) (2008). "LEBOR GABÁLA ÉRENN: The Book of the Taking of Ireland. PART VI, Index D - F". – via University College Cork
4. ^ "The Tain Bo Culaigne - The Proposals". Archived from the original on 12 October 2015. Retrieved 5 May 2016.
5. ^ "eDIL - Irish Language Dictionary". dil.ie
6. ^ "River Faughan & Tributaries Catchment – Status Report 2007". The Loughs Agency (FCILC). Archived 30 June 2016 at the Wayback Machine.
7. ^ "The Faughan side, song / Eddie Butcher, singing in English"