The Shannon Pot

The Shannon Pot’s fame can be traced back to the very early times of the legendary Finn McCool and the Fianna, the great warriors of Irish mythology. Legend has it that Síonnan, the daughter of Lodan (a son of the Celtic God of the Sea, Lír), came to the Shannon Pot in search of the great Salmon of Wisdom. The salmon was angered at the sight of Síonnan and caused the pool to overflow and drown the maiden. Thus, the Shannon was created and still bears her name today. The significance of the Shannon Pot is carried down in the ancient Irish name Legnashinna or Log na Sionna. The word Log (also Lug or Leg) in ancient Irish translates as a hollow or a pit, but can also have an extended meaning as ‘the place’, indicating a site of great importance. The association of this name with the longest river in Ireland and the circular nature of the Shannon Pot strongly suggests that this site was one of great cultural and possibly religious significance during Celtic times. The Shannon Pot is located along the Blacklion to Glangevlin Road (R206) in West County Cavan and is marked by brown tourist signs. The site provides ample parking and a picnic area. Interpretation is available both within the car park and at the Shannon Pot itself. The Shannon Pot is along the Cavan Way, a long-distance walking route that starts at Blacklion and ends in Dowra. It's a key site in the Marble Arch Caves Global Geopark, an area of unique geological importance in Cavan and Fermanagh.

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Cavan