Kells Water

The Kells Water is a small river in County Antrim, Northern Ireland. It flows through Moorfields and Kells and is a tributary to the River Main. The river rises above Glenwherry. It is a continuation of the Glenwhirry River and eventually joins the Main, which in turn flows into Lough Neagh. The hamlet of Kellswater is nearby. An old stone bridge crosses the Kells Water, separating Kells from the adjacent village of Connor.

The Kells Water is a nursery river, which salmon, trout and dollaghan use to spawn in November and December.

The river was widely used to power linen and other mills in the past. The water is still used in some industrial processes, such as in a dye works near Connor.

Kellswater Flute Band was founded in 1947, four miles south of Ballymena in the town land of Tullynamullan. The band takes its name not from the area but from the river Kells Water, immortalised in the song Bonnie Kellswater, the river and the bridge featuring on the band crest.

Bonnie Kellswater

Here's a health unto you bonnie Kellswater, it's there you'll get the pleasures of life, it's there you'll get fishing and fowling, and a bonnie wee lassie for your wife.

The hills and the dales and low valleys, are all covered with linen so fine, and the trees are a drooping sweet honey, and the rocks are all grown over with thyme.

Sometimes the Kellswater runs muddy, but to me it will always run clear, and when e'er I sit down for a study, it reminds me o'them that's no here.

Lovely Molly, you're the first girl I courted, it was you drew my heart in a snare, your red rosy cheeks I admired, and your lily-white skin and brown hair.

Some say that my Johnnie's no coming, but I know he'll be here in the spring, through the green shady groves we will wander, and among the green bushes we'll sing.

Now it's this one and that one may court you, but if anyone wins you but me, both daily and hourly I'll curse them, that stole lovely Molly from me.

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Wikipedia