Lagan
81.28 km | 50.5 mi
Length can differ from official measure!
Fließt ins Meer
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The River Lagan is a significant waterway in Northern Ireland, stretching approximately 53.5 miles (86.1 kilometers) from its source at Slieve Croob mountain in County Down to its mouth at Belfast Lough, where it flows into the Irish Sea. It serves as a natural boundary between County Antrim and County Down in parts of its course through eastern Ulster. Originating as a small, swift stream near the summit of Slieve Croob, the river winds through towns such as Dromara, Donaghcloney, Dromore, and Magheralin before reaching Belfast. Along its lower reaches, it traverses a broad plain between the Antrim and Down plateaus, draining around 609 square kilometers of mostly agricultural land.
In Belfast, the River Lagan has played a pivotal role in the city’s development. The name "Belfast" derives from "Béal Feirste," meaning "mouth of the Farset," a tributary that joins the Lagan, though the Lagan itself has become the city’s primary river. Historically, it supported industrial growth, with the Lagan Navigation—a canal system built in the late 19th century—connecting Belfast to Lough Neagh. While the canal fell into disuse by the mid-20th century, parts of its towpath have been restored as a popular route for walking and cycling, forming part of National Cycle Route 9.
The river’s environment has seen significant transformation. Once heavily polluted due to industrialization and population growth—leading to the loss of Atlantic salmon by the late 18th century—water quality improved from the 1950s onward with better sewage treatment and reduced industrial runoff. The Lagan Weir, completed in 1994, now regulates water levels in Belfast, eliminating unsightly mudflats at low tide and enhancing the riverside’s appeal. This spurred redevelopment efforts by the Laganside Corporation, including landmarks like the Waterfront Hall and Lanyon Place.
Today, the River Lagan is a hub for recreation, hosting rowing clubs such as Queen’s University Boat Club and Belfast Rowing Club between the Governors Bridge and Stranmillis Weir. It supports biodiversity, with otters, wildfowl, and occasional sightings of seals or migratory fish like salmon and sea trout, thanks to restocking efforts since the 1990s. The Lagan Valley, encompassing much of the river’s course, is designated an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, offering scenic trails and peaceful landscapes just beyond Belfast’s urban edge.
In Belfast, the River Lagan has played a pivotal role in the city’s development. The name "Belfast" derives from "Béal Feirste," meaning "mouth of the Farset," a tributary that joins the Lagan, though the Lagan itself has become the city’s primary river. Historically, it supported industrial growth, with the Lagan Navigation—a canal system built in the late 19th century—connecting Belfast to Lough Neagh. While the canal fell into disuse by the mid-20th century, parts of its towpath have been restored as a popular route for walking and cycling, forming part of National Cycle Route 9.
The river’s environment has seen significant transformation. Once heavily polluted due to industrialization and population growth—leading to the loss of Atlantic salmon by the late 18th century—water quality improved from the 1950s onward with better sewage treatment and reduced industrial runoff. The Lagan Weir, completed in 1994, now regulates water levels in Belfast, eliminating unsightly mudflats at low tide and enhancing the riverside’s appeal. This spurred redevelopment efforts by the Laganside Corporation, including landmarks like the Waterfront Hall and Lanyon Place.
Today, the River Lagan is a hub for recreation, hosting rowing clubs such as Queen’s University Boat Club and Belfast Rowing Club between the Governors Bridge and Stranmillis Weir. It supports biodiversity, with otters, wildfowl, and occasional sightings of seals or migratory fish like salmon and sea trout, thanks to restocking efforts since the 1990s. The Lagan Valley, encompassing much of the river’s course, is designated an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, offering scenic trails and peaceful landscapes just beyond Belfast’s urban edge.
