Arney River

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The Arney River

The Arney River is a small river in Fermanagh, feeding from Lower Lough MacNean and into Upper Lough Erne. It meanders through the wide, flat glacial trough which lies between the uplands of Fermanagh, Belmore Mountain and the Cuilcagh Mountains. The valley is characterised by wide flat lowlands enclosed by low hills.[1] The Cladagh River drains into the Arney River.

There are six bridging points on the Arney River, five of these are suitable for motorised vehicles, while one is located on private land near to the source of the river.

Angling

The river is often used by amateur anglers who are fishing for salmon and trout, however, the river is mainly populated by perch.

Battle of the Ford of the Biscuits

In February 1594, an English army took and garrisoned Enniskillen. The fort was promptly besieged by Hugh Maguire, Red Hugh O’Donnell and Cormac McBarron O’Neill (Hugh O’Neill’s brother). In August 1594 an English relief army led by Sir Henry Duke was ambushed on the Arney River and routed by Maguire in the Battle of the Ford of the Biscuit: a title commemorating the sight of English rations floating down the Arney.[2] Blood soaked into the fields at the edge of the river, resulting in the area's being named the Red Meadow.[3]

Outside links

Coordinates: 54°18′N 7°48′W / 54.3°N 7.8°W / 54.3; -7.8

References

  1. "The Arney Lowlands Landscape". Northern Ireland Environment Agency. http://www.ni-environment.gov.uk/landscape/country_landscape/8/8-land.htm. Retrieved 27 February 2009. 
  2. "Rebellion and the Nine Years War". Enniskillen Castle. http://www.enniskillencastle.co.uk/uploads/docs/Rebellion%20&%20The%20Nine%20Years%20War.pdf. Retrieved 27 February 2009. 
  3. Glassie, Henry, Henry (1998). Irish Folk History Texts from the North (reprint ed.). University of Pennsylvania Press. p. 6. ISBN 0-8122-1123-5.