The Shannon Pot, located in the karst landscape of Derrylahan near Cuilcagh Mountain in County Cavan, Ireland, is the traditional source of the River Shannon, Ireland’s longest river. This naturally fluctuating aquifer-fed pool holds cultural and geological significance, as it is linked through the Shannon Cave system to other pools in County Fermanagh. The river begins its 280-kilometer journey at the Shannon Pot, flowing from Cavan to the Shannon Estuary in Limerick.
Steeped in Irish mythology, the Shannon Pot is said to have been formed when the maiden Síonnan, daughter of Lodan (a son of the Celtic sea god Lír), came in search of the Salmon of Wisdom. Angered by her presence, the salmon caused the pool to overflow and drown her, thus creating the River Shannon, which still bears her name today. The site’s ancient Irish name, Legnashinna or Log na Sionna, meaning “the place” or “hollow,” reflects its great cultural and possibly religious significance during Celtic times.
Located along the Blacklion to Glangevlin Road (R206), the Shannon Pot is easily accessible, with ample parking, picnic areas, and interpretive signage. It is a key point along the Cavan Way, a long-distance walking route from Blacklion to Dowra, and is part of the Marble Arch Caves Global Geopark, a UNESCO-recognized area of unique geological importance shared between Cavan and Fermanagh.
A major €10 million project, set to begin soon, will further elevate the Shannon Pot as a tourist attraction. This project includes the development of a new discovery center and a treetop walk and viewing platform in nearby Cavan Burren Park, aimed at driving tourism in the Cuilcagh Lakelands UNESCO Geopark. Expected to open in early 2026, the project will make the Shannon Pot an even more significant landmark in Ireland’s tourism landscape.
