School: Moyderwell Convent of Mercy (roll number 13530)

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1. How the Shannon Got its Name

   

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   The Shannon was at first a deep well over which grew a tree with red berries. The salmon who lived in this well fed on those berries which fell, when ripe, into the well and were known as "The Salmon of Knowledge". Any person who was able to catch and taste one of these salmon was said to know all.

   One day a girl by the name of "Sionan" came to the well with the intention of catching a fish. Having a fire ready to roast it, when caught , she went to the brink of the well on her attempt to catch one, but the flood arose and she was swept into the well and was drowned. From that day the well became larger and larger until it was a river known as the "Shannon" or "Sionan".

   
   Una O'Sullivan
   Barrack St.,
   Tarbert

   

   Transcribed by a member of our volunteer transcription project.

   History Edit

   Language

   English

   Location

   River Shannon, Co. Cavan / Co. Kerry / Co. Clare / Co. Galway / Co. Westmeath / Co. Leitrim / Co. Longford / Co. Limerick / Co. Roscommon / Co. Tipperary / Co. Offaly

   Collector

   Una O' Sullivan

   Gender

   Male

   Address

   Tarbert, Co. Kerry

   Informant

   Mrs M. Buckley

   Gender

   Female

   Address

   Tarbert, Co. Kerry