View source for Roe Valley Country Park

{{Short description|Park in Northern Ireland}}
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The '''Roe Valley Country Park''' is a forested area containing part of the [[River Roe (Northern Ireland)|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 (Northern Ireland)|Department of the Environment]] of Northern Ireland.

The park is approximately {{convert|3|mi|spell=in}} long and consists of mainly [[deciduous]], [[Riparian forest|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 [[Drainage basin|catchment area]], it significantly increases in volume and speed soon after heavy rain.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.jochenlueg.freeuk.com/english/park.htm |title=The Roe Valley Country Park |access-date=2008-01-31 |last=Lueg |first=Jochen |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080116161227/http://www.jochenlueg.freeuk.com/english/park.htm |archive-date=2008-01-16}}</ref> 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.<ref name="main">{{cite web|url=http://www.ehsni.gov.uk/roe |title=Roe Valley Country Park |access-date=2008-01-31 |publisher=Northern Ireland Environment and Heritage Service }}</ref>

==Recreational activities==
Fishing on the river for [[salmon]] and [[brown trout]] is allowed with a permit.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.dcal-fishingni.gov.uk/index/disabled_access_locations/river_roe_disabled.htm |title=Roe Valley - A selection of angling waters in Northern Ireland |access-date=2008-01-31 |publisher=Northern Ireland Department of Culture, Arts and Leisure |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080518070730/http://www.dcal-fishingni.gov.uk/index/disabled_access_locations/river_roe_disabled.htm |archive-date=2008-05-18}}</ref> Parts of the river containing [[rapids]] and [[weir]]s are used for kayaking, although the park officially bans boats and canoes.<ref name="main" /> [[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<ref>[http://www.limavady.gov.uk/visiting/attractions/10/ Causeway Coast & Glens Borough Council]</ref> before visiting to check opening hours.

==References==
<references />

==External links==
*{{cite web |url=http://www.ni-environment.gov.uk/roe_valley.shtml |title=Roe Valley Country Park |publisher=www.ni-environment.gov.uk |access-date=2010-01-12 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090716130551/http://www.ni-environment.gov.uk/roe_valley.shtml |archive-date=2009-07-16}}
*[http://www.limavady.gov.uk/visiting/attractions/10/ Green Lane Museum] - information from Limavady Borough Council
* [http://roevalley.com/newsbrowser/english/walkuproe.htm A walk along the Roe]
* http://roevalley.com/newsbrowser/historical/townhistory.htm

{{County Londonderry}}
{{Forests and woodlands of Northern Ireland}}


[[Category:Limavady]]
[[Category:Forests and woodlands of Northern Ireland]]
[[Category:Parks in County Londonderry]]
[[Category:Museums in County Londonderry]]
[[Category:Local museums in Northern Ireland]]
[[Category:Country parks in Northern Ireland]]