Life on the Shannon Callows

The Shannon Callows are an integral part of the ecosystem of the River Shannon, Ireland’s longest river system.  The Callows are the floodplains for the river when it overflows and floods during the wintertime.  Consequently, the soil is rich with plants and flowers unique to this ecosystem.  For many years people have attempted to farm this land despite the difficulties associated with such wet and marginal land.  To this day demands to ‘Drain the Shannon’ are often made, in spite of the impracticalities that this would entail.  Several generations have lived on the Callows, and, the closest area to your Irish holiday cottage at Fuchsia Lane Farm, Terryglass, are the Callows north of Portumna bridge.  

We are fortunate to know Dr Christy Cunniffe who speaks passionately of this area and whose family have close links with the Shannon Callows.  In this video he gives a wonderful insight into the area.  Sit back and enjoy 6 minutes of this personal story!

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