County Monaghan – one of Ireland’s best kept secrets!

Much to see and do in 'Kavanagh country'

Fascinating landscapes that inspired so much of Patrick Kavanagh's poetry. Great facilities for outdoor pursuits. A rich history. Distinctive towns and villages. And a friendly people. All waiting to be explored.

County Monaghan in North-West Ireland is a haven waiting to be discovered. Its tranquil countryside, undulating hills, glassy lakes and bustling market towns make for a most appealing mix.

Its fascinating drumlin landscapes and great rural vistas evoke the atmospheric poetry of its most famous son, the great Patrick Kavanagh. You will get a special feel for this special countryside everywhere you go - the countryside that provided so much inspiration for Kavanagh's memorable works.

Monaghan is the perfect spot to indulge in some scenic walking, cycling or touring. Here also you will find fine facilities for great angling and leisurely golf, far away from the crowds and hassle of modern life.

There's also an opportunity to engage in somewhat more energetic pursuits if the fancy takes you - for instance, why not try out some exciting rally driving or quad biking?

If it's culture and history you're after, there is much to explore. The county has a fine record of artistic endeavour while there are several Bronze Age megalithic sites and pre-historic remains in the vicinity.

Enjoy some great examples of Irish craftwork here too, especially the delicate skills of lace making for which Carrickmacross and Clones are both famous.

THE HIGHLIGHTS

Visit Inniskeen, birthplace of Patrick Kavanagh
No visit to Monaghan, of course, would be complete without dropping into the Patrick Kavanagh Rural and Literary Resource Centre at Inniskeen. The great poet was born in the village in 1904 and the Centre is housed in the church which he attended as a boy.

The village is full of reminders and images of the great man. Get a real sense of the area that inspired him and see his burial spot in the graveyard near the Resource Centre.

Live out your dreams - at Castle Leslie!
Live out your wildest dreams and take a break at this fabulous country house. Castle Leslie in Glaslough, Co. Monaghan is like no other establishment in Ireland.

It has a character and history all to itself, but you will be spellbound too by its wonderful food and marvellous setting. No wonder Paul McCartney and Heather Mills chose this location, which is often likened to a movie set, as their wedding venue.

See wonderful lace craft up close
The intricate skills and beauty of Carrickmacross Lace were well-known since the early 1800s but they became even more famous internationally after being featured on the wedding dress of the late Princess Diana.

Nuns from St. Louis Convent in Carrickmacross were largely responsible for reviving this ancient craft in the region. The local Lace Co-operative now keeps the tradition alive today - see their work at the Gallery in Carrickmacross. If you drop into the St. Louis Convent Heritage Centre in Monaghan Town, you will also see displays of the lace.

The town of Clones is also noted for its crochet lace, and has a special Lace Gallery in the Canal Stores.

Experience the ultimate thrill
Take the wheel of your own high-powered rally car and speed around a purpose-built track, at Rally School Ireland in Gola, near Scotstown. Now is your chance to avail of that lifetime experience. Negotiate those hairpin bends and handbrake turns as the top rally drivers do!

Go fishing
With over 60 rivers and lakes to choose from, there is something for all anglers in Monaghan. Boats, ghillies and baits are easily available and local anglers are always on hand to offer expert advice and assistance.

PLACES TO VISIT

Monaghan Town
There is much to see and do in the lively county town. The elegant, classical 18th century Market House is a noted feature in The Diamond Square. Alongside visit the award-winning County Museum to get a good insight into local heritage and customs. Watch out for a magnificent Catherine Wheel window in the imposing St. McCartan's Cathedral.

Carrickmacross
Dating back to the early 17th century, Carrickmacross is a prominent market town with lots of history and tradition. The convent of the St. Louis nuns now stands on the site of a castle built in 1630. Watch out for fine stained glass windows by the renowned glass architect, Harry Clarke in the Catholic Church.

An excellent base for fishing and equestrian pursuits, Carrickmacross is also home to the magnificent Nuremore Hotel Golf Course and Country Club.

Castleblayney
The area around Castleblayney is rich in history and leisure amenities. Just five minutes from the town lies Lough Muckno. With its 365 hectare of water, the lake is the largest in the county. Enjoy panoramic views of the surrounding area from Hope Castle in the grounds of the lake. What a marvelous setting for fishing (all year round)!

Clones
Located in the centre of Monaghan's drumlin country, Clones offers a varied landscape of hills, lakes and rivers. The perfect spot to explore the many small roads and laneways off the beaten track. Founded as a monastic settlement around 500 AD, Clones is also the birthplace of the popular world champion boxer, Barry McGuigan.

Ballybay
Attractively set on a slope about Lough Major, the town's main street has fine examples of 18th and 19th century buildings.

LOTS TO DO

Wonderfully varied landscapes and plenty peace and quiet: the perfect ingredients for all those who wish to try out a variety of outdoor pursuits in Co. Monaghan. Options include:

Try out your golf swing and putting skills on a number of fine courses in the county. These are situated in picturesque settings, and the undulating terrain makes for very interesting outings. Choices range from the excellent championship course at the Nuremore Hotel, Carrickmacross to a course designed by well-known Irish golfer, Des Smyth at Rossmore.

The angler's paradise... that's Monaghan in a nutshell. Its lakes and rivers teem with bream, roach, pike, eel, tench, perch, trout, salmon and many more species. Anglers return time after time to enjoy the calm and current of the waters, the thrill of the catch and the telling of the tale among the beautiful hills!

Try something different. Monaghan offers great potential for dabbling in an adventure activity with a difference. Why not try out paintball games, orienteering, archery, gorge walking, rally driving, quad biking or clay pigeon shooting?

There's a great deal on offer for those interested in equestrian sports too, with riding treks and cross-country tracks to suit all ages and abilities. What better way to see the unique drumlin country than from the elevated position on horseback!

The enchanting Monaghan countryside, that so inspired the great Kavanagh, calls out for leisurely exploration on foot or on two wheels. There are many fine facilities for walking and cycling all around the county - a great way to see the sights and meet the friendly locals.

ATTRACTIONS TO SEE

Heritage Centre at St. Louis Convent, Monaghan Town
This centre recounts the rich historical, educational and cultural heritage of the Sisters of St. Louis in Ireland and overseas. Trace their story from Turkenstein in 1797 to Ireland in 1859 and onwards to many other parts.

Hilton Park
Visit Hilton Park near Clones and get a truly spectacular insight into the pleasures of country life. Stay with Johnny and Lucy Madden at their great manor house and marvel at the surrounding 200 hectare (500 acre) estate, with its wonderful lakes, woodland and pasture.

Wildlife and Heritage Centre
For a rare insight into Irish wildlife, drop along to the Wildlife Exhibition and Educational Centre at Listinny, Clontibret. Marvel at the 200 different species of Irish fauna displayed in various habitat settings. See the mammals and birds in their own natural environment. Get close up to rare birds such as the merlin, corncrake, bittern and unique brown and white magpie! The rare pine martin is among the mammals shown.

Monaghan County Museum, Monaghan Town
Already an award winning museum, following the Council of Europe Museum prize and the Gulbenkian - Norwich Union award, Monaghan museum encapsulates the archaeology of the local region under one roof.

HOT TIPS

Experience the thrills and spills of quad biking at Irish Country Quads! Test your skills as you steer the All-Terrain Vehicles on the specially designed courses at Carrickakelly near Inniskeen. Don't worry - your course will be chosen to suit your individual ability and great care is taken with safety procedures.

The trail includes an underground tunnel with splash, overhead bridges, water splash drive, tight corners, large circular track, bumpy ground and muddy ditches. Waterproofs, helmets, wellington boots and gloves are provided.

Go off the beaten track. With its quiet country roads, leisurely pace of life and unspoilt rural surroundings, Monaghan is the ideal location to lose yourself in a world far removed from the madding crowds. Around every corner is a different landscape vista - and a friendly face to make you welcome.

Tune in to your creative side... watch out for one of the literary and cultural festivals and events held in the county each year. As befits a county that gave Patrick Kavanagh to the world, Monaghan is the setting for a number of interesting events, a number of which honour the great poet.

Experience the style and grandeur of country living... stay at one of the impressive country house establishments that offer excellent tourist accommodation in the county. These include the Nuremore Hotel & Country Club in Carrickmacross (a Victorian Country House converted into an elegant 4-star hotel) and the Hilton Park near Clones with its great history and 200 hectare estate.

You can engage in a range of watersports at the Lough Muckno Leisure Park near Castleblayney. Try out waterskiing, wind surfing, sailing, boating and canoeing. The 365 hectare area of lake and forest is also ideal for horseriding, fishing and golf, with residential accommodation being also available in an adjoining hostel.

FURTHER INFORMATION
For further information on any of the items featured above, or on the county in general, please contact:

Fáilte Ireland North West
Aras Reddan
Temple Street
Sligo
Tel: 00353 (0) 7191 61201
Fax: 00353 (0) 719160360

Email: northwestinfo@failteireland.ie
Web: www.irelandnorthwest.ie