An tSiúir (The Suir)

From humble beginnings in the Devil’s Bit Mountains in Tipperary, the River Suir flows gracefully through some of Munster’s most beautiful countryside until it empties itself into the sea at Waterford Harbour. At over 183km from source to sea, the Suir is one of Ireland’s longest and greatest rivers, as it makes its way through Thurles, Holycross, Cahir, Clonmel, Carrick-on-Suir and Waterford City. Abhainn: captures the magic of the river with stunning aerial footage and unique footage of some of the region’s most beautiful riverscapes. The River Suir has been an active witness to all stages of Irish history. For early settlers it was important for transport and food, while later visitors such as the Vikings and the Normans, it was their point of entry into Ireland. Strongbow, Gráinne Mhaol, King John and Cromwell have all crossed its waters, so it’s no surprise that banks of the river are studded with castles, towers and great houses. But even faraway battlefields are remembered along the river – in Cahir “Crimean Bob”, a famous horse that survived the Charge of the Light Brigade and the Battle of Balaklava is buried and commemorated in the local Army Barracks where he died after long years of retirement from battle. But it’s not all about history. The river is a magical ecosystem and home to variety of bird & animal life and a great getaway for human recreation. In Clonmel, Shay Hurley tells us of the unusual history of the local Working Men’s Boat Club and its part in the War of Independence, while we also learn of Waterford’s unique contribution to Irish cuisine. Not only was the rasher and the cream cracker invented there, but Waterford’s Huguenots introduced a new kind of breakfast bread, the Blaa. Today, this centuries old tradition is kept alive by the Walsh brothers in the Déise’s capital.