28 History of the 



therefore requires no violent effort of the imagination to beheve 

 that the river which takes its rise on Derplay Hill was dedicated 

 to and designated after the British Deity Eire, or Ire — that it was 

 known as Ire will, the stream of the god — and that the name has 

 survived to the present time. 



The Irwell, it should be noted, has really two sources or springs, 

 separated by a few hundred yards, on Derpley Moor, down which 

 the rivulets flow, uniting near to the present boundary of Bacup 

 Booth. Its five principal tributaries within the confines of Rossen- 

 dale are (i). Tong Brook, which rises in the moors of Tooter Hill 

 and Sharneyford, flows down Greave Clough, and joins the Irwell 

 at Bacup Fold. (2). Coupe Brook, rising in the Brandwood Moors 

 and falling into the main stream at Waterfoot. (3). The river 

 Whitewell, having its source on the hill slope overlooking the 

 Cliviger Valley, and not far distant from the spring of the Irwell. 

 It flows down the Lumb and Whitewell valleys, and falls into the 

 Irwell also at Waterfoot. (4). The Limy Water, which rises in the 

 moors above Dunnockshaw, and, traversing the Crawshawbooth 

 valley, joins the Irwell at Rawtenstall. (5). Balladen Brook, which 

 forms the boundary of Rossendale to the South West ; this, coming 

 down from the adjacent height.s, falls into the Irwell near to 

 Townsend Fold. 



Reference has already been made to the legend that Tunslead 

 bottoms at one time formed a deep lake, the only outlet for its 

 waters being a narrow gorge through the rocks at what is now called 

 Glen Top. In proof of this, the late H. Cunliffe vouches for the 

 statement that when the present turnpike road was cut from ' 

 Stacksteads to Rawtenstall in the year 1826, numerous remains 

 of stags and other forest animals were dug out of the ground above 

 the Thrutch, as though they had been washed down the river, and 

 had settled in the still waters of the lake. 



If Cliviger can claim the high honour of giving birth to the 

 Irwell, so Rossendale is surely foster-parent to the nursling ; and 

 who shall compass the honour of being the parent and nurse of 

 that stream, which, while yet a mere stripling, has performed more 



