4. FACTS!
THE ORIGIN OF THE NAME
GARAVOGUE IS UNCERTAIN,
BUT MAY BE A
REPRESENTATION OF GARBH
ÓG MEANING " YOUNG ROUGH".
HOWEVER THIS IS NOT THE
ORIGINAL NAME OF THE RIVER.
THE RIVER WAS ORIGINALLY
CALLED SLIGEACH, A NAME
MEANING ABOUNDING IN
SHELLS AND IS ONE OF THE
OLDEST ATTESTED PLACE
5. FACTS
HISTORY
▸It is mentioned in Early Medieval texts as one of the " nine royal
rivers" of Ireland. Saint Patrick is said to have blessed it so that
it would produce salmon all year round.
▸A farset or fording point ( literally a sandbar ) named Reanna
na Líagáin was located across the estuary that formed part of
the main north/south route from western Ulster to Connacht.
The terminals of the crossing between Ballincar and Finisklin.
▸The battle of Sligo (river) took place at this river in 536 AD
between Eoghan Bél king of Connacht and the Uí Néill.
6. FACTS
THE RIVER GARAVOGUE
▸The Garavogue is a river located in County Sligo, Ireland.
From Lough Gill, it winds its way through Sligo town and
Sligo Bay. The river has a large estuary with a shipping
channel capable of taking ships up to 10,000 tons, but now
fallen in disuse and used mainly by smaller pleasure craft.
The river Garavogue is 31.5 miles (50.7 km) long.
