The Shournagh is a clean, healthy river in County Cork, Ireland, flowing roughly northward before joining the River Lee near Carrickrohane. A productive waterway with a strong ecological foundation, the Shournagh has been featured in fishing guides dating back to the 19th century, including Dunne's hand-guide of 1892 and Matson's pocketbook of 1910, reflecting its long-standing reputation as a worthwhile angling destination. The river is broad in its lower reaches but generally not very deep, and it can be waded across in many places. It is one of a small number of Irish rivers intensively studied by fisheries scientists, with invertebrate samples collected multiple times each year. Indicator species consistently confirm the river is in good ecological health, making it a reliable destination for anglers seeking quality wild fish in a natural setting.