where does the shannon river flow?
Limerick Shannon, County Clare Athlone
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 The main river in Ireland is the River Shannon , 360 @.@ 5 km ( 224 @.@ 0 mi ) , the longest river in Ireland as well as both the islands of Ireland and Britain , it is a river that separates the boggy midlands of Ireland from the west of the island . The river develops into three lakes along its course , Lough Allen , Lough Ree , and Lough Derg . Of these , Lough Derg is the largest . The River Shannon enters the Atlantic Ocean after Limerick city at the Shannon Estuary . Other major rivers include the River Liffey , River Lee , River Blackwater , River Nore , River Suir , River Barrow , River Bann , River Foyle , River Erne , and River Boyne ( see the list of rivers in Ireland ) . 

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 In winter , the resident bird population is increased by visitors from north @-@ east Europe , in particular the widgeon and Greenland white @-@ fronted goose . Riverside mammals are seen frequently and otters , mink and fox are common . Trout and salmon are less common in the Shannon than they once were , however pike is still plentiful and attracts many anglers . 

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 The river flows through several areas of ecological interest and supports a variety of rare and endangered species . 

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 In autumn and winter , the extensive flood plain of the Shannon Callows supports a large number of waders , swans , wildfowl and other bird life . The most obvious of all Shannon birds is the mute swan . Also seen are the coot , moorhen and little grebe ( or dabchick ) . The kingfisher is widespread as are the meadow pipit and pied wagtail . The area has one of the largest concentrations of breeding waders in Ireland including lapwing , redshank , sandpiper and godwit . 

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 A ring of coastal mountains surround low plains at the centre of the island . The highest of these is Carrauntoohil ( Irish : Corrán Tuathail ) in County Kerry , which rises to 1 @,@ 038 m ( 3 @,@ 406 ft ) above sea level . The most arable land lies in the province of Leinster . Western areas can be mountainous and rocky with green panoramic vistas . The River Shannon , the island 's longest river at 386 km ( 240 mi ) long , rises in County Cavan in the north west and flows 113 kilometres ( 70 mi ) to Limerick city in the mid west . 
