Ford in Creevagh

A castle (RO056-011001-) in Co. Roscommon is situated on the callows or flood-plain on the W bank of the River Shannon, about 30m from the river, at a place known locally in 1955 as Keena's Ford (SMR file). This may be the ford of Ballagha, described as two miles below the Seven Churches [Clonmacnoise] by a Col. Roy, probably in the 18th century (RIA ms. G. 1. 2). It has also been identified as the ford of Snamh da ean (Swim two birds) where Brian Boru met the High King, Mealshachlain, in 997 and where they concluded an alliance against the Vikings and the Leinstermen, (Grenham 2000). This fording place (RO056-011003-) was called Snamh dá Ean, which was a recognised point on the boundary of Uí Maine (O'Donovan 1843, 5). The ford connects the townland of Cloonburren in Co. Roscommon to Creevagh in Co. Offaly.