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| BALLYSADARE FALLS, COUNTY SLIGO.-These impressive falls are situated on the Owenmore river, near the prosperous village of Ballysadare, about four miles from the town of Sligo, on the road to Ballina, in the county of Mayo. Above them, the stream is broken for a long space by numerous rapids. After leaping the main falls, the river rushes fiercely through the town and blends itself with the waters of the Bay, which opens on that of Sligo. The Owenmore is a favorite breeding resort for salmon, which, in the season, ascend it boldly, utterly defiant of cascades and rapids. To the stranger's eye it would seem impossible for any fish, or any other living thing, to breast and conquer the formidable natural obstacle presented in the sketch, but the fact remains that thousands upon thousands of magnificent salmon accomplish the feat annually, taking advantage of the high water, which materially lowers the height of the rocks. According to Prof. Joyce, Ballysadare Village was originally called "Easdara" (Assdarra), "the cataract of the oak;" but an ancient legent asserts that the falls derive their name from a Formorian Druid, called Red Dara, who was slain at that point by "Lewy of the Long Hand." After that event, the place was called, in Gaelic, Bails-easa-Dara, the Town of Dara's Cataract, now shortened to its present form. |
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