River Moy
The River Moy (Abhainn na Muaidhe in Irish) rises at the foot of the Ox Mountains in the Northwest of Ireland.
Geography
The River Moy rises at the foot of the Ox Mountains in County Sligo. It flows for 110 km. For the greater part of its length, the Moy flows southwestward, entering County Mayo and passing not far from Swinford before turning north near the village of Kilmore and heading for the historic town of Ballina, where it enters the Atlantic Ocean at Killala Bay.
The Moy valley, with its ancient churches and abbeys, is a prominent tourist destination. [1]
Economics
The river was once among the best salmon fisheries in Europe; however, in recent times, drift net fishing off the coast caused a huge decline in salmon numbers. According to central fisheries board statistics, 101,231 returning salmon were taken by drift nets off the west coast of Ireland in 2005. In the same year, 29% (6,675) of all rod caught salmon in Ireland were taken in the Ballina district, as a result of a weir, which keeps salmon trapped in the ridge pool, near the mouth of the river, during the summer. Drift netting for salmon was banned in November 2006 and the ban came into force on January 1, 2007.[2]
The Moy Estuary is a five mile estuary beginning at Ballina and running into Killala Bay (Cuan Chill Ala in Irish).
Popular culture references
The River Moy is referenced in the traditional Irish song "The Hills Of Knocknashee". The River Moy so gently flows from there unto the sea. Farewell to you, farewell to all from the hill of Knocknashee [3]
References
- ^ Discover Sligo http://www.discoversligo.com
- ^ Government to introduce salmon drift-netting ban http://www.irishtimes.com/newspaper/breaking/2006/1101/breaking37.html
- ^ "The Hills Of Knocknashee" lyrics and chords http://www.martindardis.com/id818.html
External links
- Salmon fishing on the River Moy, from Salmon Ireland
- The Moy Fishery
- Report of the Independent Salmon Group
- Daily updates for the Moy http://www.themoy.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=19&Itemid=45
54°11′N 9°09′W / 54.183°N 9.150°W
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