The River Lagan — P4/P5

River Lagan

1. 1 Source and course Rises in Slieve Croob hills, County Down. Flows north-east 80km through Dromore, Lisburn, and Belfast to Belfast Lough.
2. 2 Belfast Lough Sea inlet where the Lagan meets the Irish Sea. The sheltered deep water made Belfast a major port and shipbuilding centre.
3. 3 The Lagan Canal Built 1763. Connected Belfast to Lough Neagh — allowing coal and limestone to Belfast, linen to be exported.
4. 4 Pollution history 20th century industrial growth heavily polluted the Lagan. By the 1980s, biologically almost dead in Belfast stretches.
5. 5 Environmental improvement Laganside Corporation transformed the riverbank and improved water quality. Salmon have returned after 100 years absence.
6. 6 Wildlife today Atlantic salmon (spawning again). Brown trout. Kingfishers. Herons. Otters spotted. Reflects decades of investment.
7. 7 Lagan Valley Regional Park 14km linear park from Belfast to Lisburn. Walking, cycling, wildlife. Most accessible green space for Belfast residents.