The Curraheen River (Irish: An tSabhrainn; also spelled Curragheen) is a river in County Cork and Cork City, Ireland, a tributary of the River Lee.[1][2][3]

Curraheen River
The Curraheen River, passing through Curraheen townland, in County Cork
Map
Native nameAn tSabhrainn (Irish)
Physical characteristics
Source 
 • locationGrange Hill
MouthRiver Lee
 • location
Cork City
Basin features
River systemRiver Lee
Tributaries 
 • leftMaglin River

Name

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The river's name references the Curraheen townland (Inniskenny civil parish).[4] In the Irish language, the river bears the name An tSabhrainn, from the Proto-Celtic *Sabrinā, the same name as the Hafren and the River Severn.[5] It is named, as Sabraind, in the 12th century poem Aislinge Meic Con Glinne, although some scholars translate this as "River Lee."[6][7]

Course

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The Curraheen River forms at the confluence of several rivulets in the Ballincollig–Curraheen area.[8] It flows north and then east, under the N22 and N40 roads, flowing past Curraheen Park Greyhound Stadium. In Bishopstown it turns northwards, flowing to the west of Cork IT's campus. It flows under the Model Farm Road (R608) and then bends eastwards, where there is a river walk.[9] The Curraheen River then flows under the R608 at Victoria Cross and drains into the River Lee to the southwest of Cork City.[10]

Wildlife

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Fish species include brown trout, Atlantic salmon, European river lamprey and European brook lamprey.[11]

There was a major fish kill of brown trout on the Curraheen River in 2016, due to a sewage leak.[12]

An invasive American rodent, the coypu, has been spotted on the Curraheen River from 2016 onward.[13][14]

References

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  1. ^ Survey (Ireland), Ordnance (2 June 1998). Cork City and District Atlas. Ordnance Survey Ireland. ISBN 9781901496024 – via Google Books.
  2. ^ "Site Visit Report" (PDF). epa.ie. 14 September 2016. Retrieved 8 August 2021.
  3. ^ "Lee CFRAMS Draft Catchment Flood Risk Management Plan - February 2010" (PDF). discomap.eea.europa.eu.
  4. ^ "An Curraichín/Curraheen". Logainm.ie.
  5. ^ "An tSabhrainn/Curragheen River". Logainm.ie.
  6. ^ "An tSabhrainn/Curragheen River". Logainm.ie.
  7. ^ "DOI: Onomasticon Goedelicum (S)". research.ucc.ie.
  8. ^ "Dinnseanchas". An Cumann Logainmneacha. 2 June 1964 – via Google Books.
  9. ^ "Journal of the Cork Historical and Archaeological Society". The Society. 2 June 1989 – via Google Books.
  10. ^ Lyne, Paula. "Your guide to Bishopstown and Wilton: Acres of green and students galore in southwest Cork city". TheJournal.ie.
  11. ^ "Lower Lee (Cork City) Drainage Scheme, Chapter 5: Flora and Fauna" (PDF). OPW floodinfo.ie.
  12. ^ Roche, Barry. "Fish kill in tributary of River Lee near Cork city investigated". The Irish Times.
  13. ^ "Cork public asked to report sightings of rat-like coypu". www.irishexaminer.com. 15 May 2017.
  14. ^ Byrne, Ruairi Scott. "Public warned about spread of rat-like coypu after it was spotted in Cork". Buzz.ie.

See also

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51°51′43″N 8°37′42″W / 51.86188°N 8.628201°W / 51.86188; -8.628201