Roe Valley Country Park

55°01′30″N 6°56′20″W / 55.025°N 6.939°W / 55.025; -6.939 The Roe Valley Country Park is a forested area containing part of the River Roe, south west of Limavady, County Londonderry, Northern Ireland. It is maintained by the Northern Ireland Environment Agency, which is part of the Department of the Environment of Northern Ireland.

The park is approximately three miles (4.8 km) long and consists of mainly deciduous, riparian woodland on each side of the Roe. The terrain next to the river is mostly steep sided gorge, with some areas of flat grassland on the northwest bank. As the river has a large, freely draining catchment area, it significantly increases in volume and speed soon after heavy rain.^[1] This is most visible around the visitor centre, where the river is forced through a narrow section of the gorge. The river is known for the legend of the dog who leaped the river Roe, fleeing enemies to warn the O'Cahan's of Limavady of danger via a message in its mouth.

Attractions

A visitor centre provides managerial office space, a cafe, exhibition space and a presentation area.

The area around the visitor centre contains the Green Lane Museum, with exhibits on local history, the area linen industry, agriculture and artefacts of rural life.

In the 18th century, the local linen industry was based on the same site, the remains of which include flax drying fields with watch towers, derelict buildings and a waterwheel originally used to power the machinery.

There is also a disused hydroelectric generating station which was the first to operate in Northern Ireland in 1896.^[2]

Recreational activities

Fishing on the river for salmon and brown trout is allowed with a permit.^[3] Parts of the river containing rapids and weirs are used for kayaking, although the park officially bans boats and canoes.^[2] Scrambling on the rock faces at O'Cahan's Rock has also been restricted. The section of river below O'Cahan's Rock, consisting of a bridge and weir, is used for swimming. The forest is used for orienteering by local clubs and schools in Limavady.

The river is bridged at several points through the park, although only the bridge by the visitor centre is suitable for vehicles. There are footbridges below the O'Cahan's Rock car park, below O'Cahan's Rock itself, at Carrick Mills and below Carrick Church.

The Green Lane Museum closes for winter, and reopens around Easter. It is advisable to contact staff^[4] before visiting to check opening hours.

External links

"Roe Valley Country Park". www.ni-environment.gov.uk. Archived from the original on 16 July 2009. Retrieved 12 January 2010.
Green Lane Museum - information from Limavady Borough Council
A walk along the Roe

References

^ Lueg, Jochen. "The Roe Valley Country Park". Archived from the original on 16 January 2008. Retrieved 31 January 2008.
^ ^a ^b "Roe Valley Country Park". Northern Ireland Environment and Heritage Service. Retrieved 31 January 2008.
^ "Roe Valley - A selection of angling waters in Northern Ireland". Northern Ireland Department of Culture, Arts and Leisure. Archived from the original on 18 May 2008. Retrieved 31 January 2008.
^ Causeway Coast & Glens Borough Council

Places in County Londonderry

List of places in County Londonderry

Cities

Derry

Towns

Villages, parishes,
and townlands

Landforms

Baronies

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v t e Forests and woodlands of Northern Ireland
County Antrim	Ballyboley Forest Ballycastle Forest Ballypatrick Forest Bann Woods North Forest Bann Woods South Forest Breen Forest Capanagh Forest Carnfunnock Country Park Clare Forest Cleggan Forest Craigs Forest Garry Forest Glenariff Forest Park Glenarm Forest Muckamore Forest Portglenone Forest Randalstown Forest Slieveanorra Forest Tardree Forest Woodburn Forest	Northern Ireland portal
County Armagh	Ballymoyer Forest Camlough Forest Carnagh Forest Cold Brae Forest Drumbanagher Forest Fathom Forest The Fews Forest Gosford Forest Park Loughall Forest Maghery Country Park Seagahan Forest Slieve Gullion Forest Park
County Down	Annalong Forest Ballysallagh Forest Belvoir Park Forest Bohill Forest Castleward Forest Castlewellan Forest Park Clandeboye Forest Donard Forest Drumkeeragh Forest Hillsborough Forest Hollymount Forest Mount Stewart Forest Mourne Forest Narrow Water Forest Rostrevor Forest Tollymore Forest Park
County Fermanagh	Ballintempo Forest Belmore Forest Big Dog Forest Carnmore Forest Carrigan Forest Castle Archdale Forest Castlecaldwell Forest Clabby Forest Conagher Forest Crocknagrally Forest Crom Estate Derryline and Nann Island Forest Doon Forest Ely Lodge Forest Florence Court Forest Park Garrison Forest Grogey Forest Jenkin Forest Kesh Forest Knocks Forest Lough Navar Forest Marlbank Forest Necarne Forest Pubble Forest Riversdale Forest Sillees Forest Spring Grove Forest Tully Forest Tullychurry Forest
County Londonderry	Aghadowey Forest Ballykelly Forest Banagher Forest Binevenagh Forest Cam Forest Derrynoid Forest Downhill Forest Garvagh Forest Glenshane Forest Gortnamoyagh Forest Grange Park Forest Iniscarn Forest Learmount Forest Loughermore Forest Loughermore East Forest Moyola Forest Muff Glen Forest Roe Valley Country Park Somerset Forest Springwell Forest
County Tyrone	Aghyaran Forest Altmore Forest Baronscourt Forest Bradkeel Forest Caledon Forest Carrickaholten Forest Carrickaholten Forest Cookstown Forest Creggan Forest Davagh Forest Drum Manor Forest Park Dunmoyle Forest Fardoss Forest Favour Royal Glenderg Forest Goles Forest Gortin Glen Forest Park Killens Forest Knockmany Forest Lack Forest Ligfordrum Forest Lough Bradan Forest Moneygal Forest Moydamlaght Forest Mullaghfad Forest Parkanaur Forest Park Pigeon Top Forest Pomeroy Forest Seskinore Forest Slievedoo Forest Trillick Forest
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