Here are the name meanings for 12 of Ireland's major rivers with a few myths thrown in along the way.

River Shannon

Abhainn na Sionainne

River of Sionann

Ireland’s longest river flows south west from Co. Cavan for 386 km (240 miles), through 10 counties, and forming 3 lake...

From Éire to the Republic of Ireland

The name of the State is Éire, or, in the English language, Ireland.

- Constitution of Ireland, Article 4.

Ireland was once called Éiru after a goddess queen of the Tuatha Dé Danann, the wife of Mac Gréine, and it is from this ancient...

The Land of a Thousand Welcomes

Céad Míle Fáilte, this common Irish greeting for travelers arriving at these shores literally translates to mean ‘a hundred thousand welcomes’. But this affectionate name for Ireland is due in large part to the importance given to hospita...

The Emerald Isle

The following verse contains the first printed example of the term ‘Emerald Isle’ being used in reference to Ireland. William Drennan, a Belfast born poet, was also a successful physician and radical political activist who no doubt chose this poetic ada...

The Names of Ireland 

An Ainmneacha na hÉireann

With a land as ancient as this, it should come as no surprise to learn that the place we call ‘Ireland’ was not always known by this name. In fact, it was given many names by different groups of people at varying stages thr...

On the various names given to the land known as Ireland.

IX. Its Ninth Appellation it receiv'd likewise from the Sons of Milesius, who nam'd it Scotia, from their Mothers Name Scota, who was the Daughter of Pharaoh Nectonibus, King of Egypt or perhaps from themselves,...