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A manuscript in the RIA (ms. G. 1. 2) by a Col. Roy on a short tour of Ireland, which is undated but probably 18th century, says that there are several fords on the River Shannon between Athlone and Banagher, but that roads do not lead to them, except to Raghra (Shannonbridge) and Ballaghna, two miles below the Seven Churches. Ballaghna is not identified, but it may be the ford at Cloonburren (RO056-011003-). This fording point along a route from Mac Coghlans country to Athlone was described by Matthew de Renzy in 1620 as 'a fowle and daungerous waye betwixt it and Belanasloye [Ballinasloe] westward through wods [woods] and bogs and likewise to the north-east and north-west whether [you] would passe through Cluainmacnoise or to Delvin Mc Coghlan'. De Renzy goes on to state that 'This [castle and lands] (OF013-010) must needs be planted also with undertakers in regard it lyeth upon the Shenen [Shannon] and that there is a ford (OF013-037002/RO056-018002-) over that river weare (RO056-018003-) in somer [summer] time foote men may wade over.' (Mac Cuarta, B. 1987, 178-9). In 1622 the commissioners appointed by the English Crown for the Plantation of Kings County granted Thomas Rotheram the lands and ownership of the fishing weirs of the town and lands of Raghra [Shannonbridge]. The 'Eel Weir' indicated on the first edition OS 6-inch map to the south of the bridge at Shannonbridge may have been built on the site of or may even be the fish weir described in the 17th century.
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