We all know the name of our local river to be the Rine River (Abha an Rinne). We also know of its several different names as it travels from its source to entering the Fergus. Did you know that it hasn’t always been known (and recorded) under this name? Thomas J Westropp was a frequent visitor to this area and has documented his observations on many of our historical and archaeological features. Ancient names for our river are dealt with here.
We may briefly note that Lower Bunratty nearly corresponds to the ancient Tradree (Tradraighe) and is clearly marked by the two streams – the Rine or Gissagh flowing into Latoon creek to the north and the Owennagarnagh or Raite to the east.
In a note to the above, he further adds the following:
The name is “Misagh” in MSS., R.I.A. 24D 10, a poem “on the Franciscan Monastery (Quin) on the Misagh”. The stream is the “Gissagh at Quin” in Hugh Norton’s account of Clare, 1695, MSS. T.C.D., I.41, 2, p.235. He calls the Sixmilebridge river “the Kney”. The “Gossogh” and “Gosseogh” appear in early seventeenth century maps.
Thomas J Westropp ‘Pillars, Dolmen and Cists in the Eastern Half of County Clare’
Hugh Brigdall, in his Description of County Clare 1682 (see The Other Clare, Vol.22 p.56) describes it as the Gilsagh river.
There is an Irish word used in placenames which is Gisha/Gishagh and is a derivitive of gCiseach used to describe a wicker/wattle bridge or causeway. We know that the main route from Limerick to Galway passed through Quin because it was the location of the river crossing. It is possible that this name was applied to the river arising from the presence of this very type of bridge being located here!
A photo taken in the early 2000’s shows the river as it leaves the village bridge. A photo from the Lawrence Collection c1900, appears to show works being carried out or completed to straighten and reinforce the banks of the River Rine before entering the bridge.
This local river was named in some early maps as the Quin River. Fed by a number of streams originating in the hills around Maghera and also the Affick River, which in turn collects from Slieve Aughty, The Kiltannon (Abhainn Cill tSeanáin) begins its life near Tulla. From here it meanders on contentedly for 2km until it reached Newgrove/Ballyslattery Bridge directly west of Tulla when it becomes the Tomeen River (no translation available, is it derived from the nearby Tome, meaning bush). It is fed by a few more streams but 2.5km south it has another name change and is now the Boolyree River (Abhainn Bhuaile Fhraoigh) at Dangan Bridge. After another 2km it meets up with the Hell River (Abhainn an Ifrinn) close to Magh Adhair. It then passes through Quin as the Rine (Abhainn na Rinne). When it reaches the Ardsolas Bridge it becomes the Ardsollus River (Abhainn Áth Solas). It soon reaches Blackweir Bridge where it reaches its senior years and becomes the Latoon Creek (Crompán Latúin). It is now tidal as a result of linking up and emptying itself into The Fergus River (An Forghas).
In Quin we have the townlands of Rineen and Rine, in Tulla there is also a Rine townland and in Shannon where the Fergus dumps its load, there is the townland of Rineanna (the original name of the airport). Did the townlands inspire the current river name or did these townlands derive their names from the nearby river?
Rine, rinn, a point of land or a headland
Rineanna, rinn éanaigh, the point or headland of the marsh
Rineen, rennín, a small point of land
Our local river, the Gissagh, Gilsagh, Gossogh, Gosseogh, Misagh, Quin or Rine, runs like a spine through the village and parish in which we live. It once provided sustenance to the monks, friars and locals. It powered mills and even a small electricity generator at one time. Let’s not turn our backs to this lovely feature. It’s amenity potential surely needs more attention and focus by our community in the years ahead.
