Ireland Travel Search: Ulster: County Monaghan Tourism Information Directory for Visitors to Ireland


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Ireland > Ulster > County Monaghan

County Monaghan is a smallish landlocked very sheltered county, with its borders abutting Tyrone and Fermanagh to the north, Armagh and Louth on its eastern side, Meath and Westmeath to the south, and Longford and Leitrim on its western side.

Although geographically its northern tip runs right up into Northern Ireland and it has Northern Ireland counties on its two sides, it is part of the Republic of Ireland and NOT part of the the UK.

Not that well known on the tourist trail it has a wealth of hidden delights, with its rich green undulating peaceful countryside, great fishing, the postcard like beauty of its myriad of small farms and dry stone walled fields, and the forgotten ruins of its once grand plantations. In the 18th century it was a thriving centre for linen production and the breeding of cavalry horses, most exported to Russia.

Today it is a wealthy agricultural area and is very much a successful contributor and earner from its inclusion in the Republic of Ireland and its membership of the European Union.

The roads in the area are not that well signposted so a really good map is essential, preferably a survey map, but well worth the hassle of obtaining such, with memorable discoveries and out of the way forgotten hamlets a nd towns everywhere. So, if it is relaxation and dropping out of the hurly burly of modern living for a while you want, this is the place to do it.

The principal town of Monaghan County is the bustling market town of Monaghan. Built on the site of an old monastery it has good shopping, excellent restaurants and a good centre to base yourself in to explore this lovely county.

The County Museum and Gallery, located in two Victorian Houses in Hill Street, Monaghan, is one of Ireland's most informative regional museums. The Cross of Clogher, a bronze medieval altar cross, is its prized possession. There's an art gallery there too. Nearby is St Macartans Cathedral which his also worth a quick visit.

To the north of Monaghan is Castle Leslie, where the hosts, the Leslie family, have written a series of excellent ghosts books and also take visitors on a guided candlelight tour of the Castle to meet its resident ghosts, finishing off the night with port in front of the fire and overnight accommodation in lovely bedrooms, with a huge country breakfast the following morning before departure. The Castle is unique and beautifully furnished throughout with wonderful old antiques, but no TV's, clocks or radios in the rooms to add to its wonderful authenticity. It is also well heated in the winter - and has plenty of hot water also, but children under 12 years of age are not catered for due to its special "ghostly/scary" nature!

Drumbanagher Hill is the site of a 10th century Viking fort, and the first shots of the war between James II and William III of England fired here in 1688. William's victory in the war at Aughrim in Galway in 1691, introduced the repressive Penal Laws in 1695. These laws restricted the rights of all Catholics to education as well as the practice of their religion, made it illegal for them to carry arms, and stipulated that they could not own a horse worth more than £5.00.

Carrickmoss is about 15 miles southeast of Ballbay, an old horse-trading and linen town. Carrickmoss is famous for its handmade Irish lace. The Lace Co-Operative here is a good place to visit if you want to browse for superb lace work.

Nearby is Mannan Castle, which is a major 12th century hilltop Motte and Bailey with free admission.

A little further on to the southeast of Carrickmoss is the small village of Inishkeen, with ruins of its 6th century monastery worth visiting. The village of Inishkeen is the resting place of local poet Patrick Kavanagh (1904-67), whose masterpiece about rural Irish life, The Great Hunger, was first published in 1942. His grave is inscribed:

"And pray for him who walked apart on the hills loving life's miracles."

A stepping-stone from a nearby stream has been laid across the grave, with the intriguing inscription: "There were stepping stones across a stream. Part of my life was there. The happiest part."

Annaghmakerrig House is situated near the village of Newbliss*, (*great place to visit on your honeymoon?), and was the home of the famous theatre and TV producer, Sir Tyrone Guthrie who left it for the nation to be used for the training and learning of the arts. Toda it is now very much a peaceful retreat for Irish writers and budding artists.

Nearby Clones is famous for its hand crocheted Irish lace, which is distinctively different from Carrickmoss lace as it is thicker and more intricate. As Clones was built and rebuilt on a very ancient settlement site, it has some excellent ancient ruins including the very old ruins of an ancient round tower, high cross and abbey, a finely carved Christian sarcophagus, and some very interesting 17-18th gravestones carved with a skull and crossbones (Bit hard to get a pirate ship this far inland- but who knows?)





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