In any other place the Caher River wouldn’t be considered in
any way special. It would be nothing more than just another average stream
running through the countryside.
In the Burren however the Caher holds a unique position. Like
in other limestone karst areas most rivers make their way underground and only
visit the surface on occasion if at all. Not so the Caher River. It is the only
river in the Burren that stays above ground from source to sea.
The river starts its journey in the shadows of Slieve Elva
and Poulacapple and from there it flows along the Caher Valley. It is thought
that the significant amount of ringforts, or cahers, in the area gave the name
to both valley and river. These ringforts however are not the only sign that
the valleys along the Caher River have been inhabited by men for a long time. A
fulacht fiadh (cooking place), the panel chapel of Fermoy with its nearby
children’s burial ground and the village of Caherbannagh which has been wiped
out during the famine are only a few examples of the long and rich history of
the area.
The heart of Caher Valley is a small forest, mainly made of
hazel and other shrubs, which is bounded by the river. This forest is one of
the major strongholds of the pine marten in the Burren and the sheltered
conditions host a multitude of wildflowers. John McNamara, a local man from
Fanore, turned this little piece of heaven into a nature reserve and opened it
to the public in 2000. Tragically and unexpected John passed away in 2004 and
unfortunately the reserve has been closed ever since.
For the majority of its course the Caher River is a slow
flowing and gentle stream, rarely more than ankle deep and during dry periods
it can disappear almost completely. For the last part of its journey through
the Khyber Pass however the Caher turns into a majestic mountain stream. For 2
km the river drops a total of 60 meters, rushing over cascades and forming deep
eddies which are overshadowed by soft cliffs. Especially in winter or after
heavy rainfalls the Caher river is a truly impressive and beautiful sight. The
oddly named Khyber Pass most likely got its name from a local man who had
served in India with the British army and somehow made a connection between the
famous pass that connects Afghanistan and Pakistan and the road up to the Caher
Valley.
The only fish recorded in the river are the brown trout and
European eel. The birdlife is a bit more varied with the dipper, the grey
wagtail and the grey heron being a regular sight along at the river.
The
Caher finally reaches the sea after a run of only 7 kilometers in Fanore where
it runs across the wide sandy beach into the Atlantic Ocean.
Most of the images were made in winter 2012/2013 and show the Caher River in its winter clothing. Spring and summer are a totally different affair and I will go back to capture the Caher when milder temperatures will have transformed its banks into a wildflower garden.
text & image(s) Copyright by Carsten Krieger Photography - no download or reproduction without written permission
