River Bann (County Wexford)

River Bann

River Bann at Milltown near Ferns
Native name An Bhanna
Other name(s) Wexford Bann
Etymology Irish bán-abha, "white river"
Country Ireland
Basin features
Main source Croghan Mountain, County Wexford
River mouth Irish Sea at Wexford, as the River Slaney
Basin size 161 km2 (62 sq mi)
Physical characteristics
Length 42 kilometres (26 mi)
Discharge
  • Average rate:
    3.18 m3/s (112 cu ft/s) (at Ferns)[1]

The River Bann is a large river in County Wexford, in the southeast of Ireland. It rises in the southern slopes of Croghan Mountain in north Wexford on the County Wicklow border. It flows south and is joined by the Blackwater Stream near the village of Hollyfort. Veering southwest it passes under the R725, then continuing southwestwards it flows beneath the N11 national primary route at the village of Camolin. It is crossed by the Dublin - Wexford railway four times as it flows past the town of Ferns before joining the River Slaney north of Enniscorthy.

In 1950s a reservoir was built at Ballythomas to supply water to the town of Gorey, County Wexford. Before that, its banks regularly spilled over and made a lot of swamp land on its route.

River Bann at Milltown Bridge, Ferns

Wildlife

Varied and plentiful wildlife can be found in the environs of the river. In Wicklow and North Wexford, herds of deer can be seen, as well as swans, dippers, wild ducks, herons and kingfishers. At dusk, bats, owls and otters may be seen, while the mudflats of the Slaney estuary are favoured by black-headed gulls, redshanks and oystercatchers.[2] In season, salmon and trout and occasional pike are fished.[3] It is primarily a Sea Trout fishery, with the best fishing from Mid-April to October. The upper reaches are known for good Brown Trout fishing from March to October

See also

Rivers of Ireland

References

Coordinates: 52°33′N 6°33′W / 52.550°N 6.550°W / 52.550; -6.550


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