River Mourne
The River Mourne is a river in Tyrone, which ultimately becomes a tributary of the River Foyle. It goes by two names: the Mourne from where the River Derg joins it below Newtownstewart, and above that junction is the Strule River.
The Strule River
The Strule River is formed at Omagh, the county town, by the union in the middle of the town of the Drumragh River and the Camowen River. From here the river heads in a generally northerly direction. The A5 Omagh – Strabane road follows its valley. A little below Omagh the Strule picks up the Fairy Water and darts away, heading north again by wild meanders, looping around the Ulster-American Folk Park.
Close to Newtownstewart the Overkillew River joins, bringing waters from the Sperrin Mountains and the united waters flow north-westwards. After a few miles, the River Derg joins, and the two streams create the River Mourne belw this point
River Mourne
The River Mourne continues the north-western course of the Strule, broadening as it goes. It reaches Victoria Bridge and then heads north past Sion Mills (whose wheels the waters of the Mourne once powered) and on to Strabane.
At Strabane the River Mourne joins with the River Finn, coming off the Donegal hills, to form the River Foyle, which takes the waters to the sea.
Fish and songs
Fishing in the Mourne is largely for salmon, grilse and sea trout.[1]
The traditional folk song The Moorlough Shore (also called The Maid of Mourne Shore) refers to names and places along the river.[2]
