County Monaghan

Monaghan

County Monaghan, a county rich in unspoilt beauty, with its very many loughs, lakes and rolling hills, drumlins and mountains, something for all the great outdoor enthusiasts, activities which can range from, Angling at Ballybay, Carrickmacross, Castleblaney or Clones, golfing at any of Monaghan Golf Clubs or Horse Riding at Castle Leslie or Cloncaw Equestrian Centre, walking or cycling in the many cycle and forest trails at Dartrey Forest, Rossmore Forest and Bawn and the Monaghan Way walking route or on Sliabh Beagh mountains. Visit the many outdoor centres specialising in extreme sports from off road buggies, hovercraft experience, clay pigeon shooting or try your hand at rally driving. Monaghan also being home to the famous Carrickmacross and Clones Lace, must be visited. Monaghan also has several archaeological areas of interest such as an the round tower in Clones, and the round tower in Inniskeen, St. Peter and Paul's Abbey, and the High Cross in Clones town and the Viking Fort in Emyvale.

County Monaghan is home to many Loughs and Lakes making it a very popular county in Ireland for angling, some beautiful loughs and lakes such as Lough Muckno, Lough Emy, Moynalty Lake and Lough Fea. The Irish poet and novelist Patrick Kavanagh was born in County Monaghan with some of his important works being poems such as The Great Hunger, Raglan Road, The Ploughman and novel Tarry Flynn, you can explore more of Patrick Kavanaghs history at the "Patrick Kavanagh Rural and Literary Resource Centre" in Inniskeen, Monaghan. There is a Patrick Kavanagh Weekend every year in November in County Monaghan celebrating his life and work. A statue of Patrick Kavanagh can be seen in Dublin along the Grand Canal in memory to this Irish poet, in the town he adopted as his second home.

Monaghan is renowned also for its love of County and Western music and especially the town of Castleblayney, which had its links to music legends and show bands such as Big Tom and the Mainliners, Anna McGoldrick and Paddy Cole, The Regal Showband, Everglades. and the Maurice Lynch Showband. Clones town's famous son being none other than Barry McGuigan, the former Irish world champion boxer.

Monaghan town is located just an hours drive from Belfast or Enniskillen, under 2 hours from Dublin or Derry, 50 minutes from Dundalk serviced by a very good road network.More Monaghan towns to explore include Ballybay, Carrickmacross, Castleblayney, Clones, Clontibret, Glaslough, Inniskeen, Monaghan.

Monaghan - Top Things to see and do

Patrick Kavanagh Centre, Monaghan

St Joseph's Church, Monaghan

Monaghan Country Museum

Lough Muckno Leisure Park, Monaghan

Carrickmacross Lace Gallery, Monaghan