| County Cavan
 Cavan, the most southerly of the Ulster counties, is greatly diversified in surface. Its highest point is Cuilcagh Mountain (2,188 feet) in the mountainous projection of the county which reaches northwestwards between Counties Leitrim and Fermanagh. Ireland's longest river, the Shannon has its source on the southern slopes of Cuilcagh. Most of the county is undulating land, with low round hills and myriad lakes.
Cavan is a sparsely populated county in north central Ireland, immediately south of the border with Northern Ireland, about midway between the Atlantic Ocean and the Irish Sea. Except for the mountainous northwestern section, the terrain is generally undulating, with many bogs and lakes.
Small-scale Dairy farming and hog raising are the principal economic activities of the county and oats, potatoes, and flax are the primary crops.
Industrial activity consists of whiskey distilling and linen bleaching. Cavan became part of the province of Ulster early in the 17th century; and it was subsequently colonized by English and Scottish settlers.
In 1921, Cavan was one of three Ulster counties that became part of the Irish Free State.
The River Erne, rising in Lough Gowna and flowing northwards through the centre of the county, spreads itself in a maze of small sheets of water separated by promontories and islands of every shape and size. Many of the Cavan lakes are very beautiful and offer first class coarse angling.
In the Province of Ulster, though not one of the Six counties that make up Northern Ireland, Cavan is home to a thriving agricultural industry, ranging from poultry to pigs to cattle. Cavan Town, with its beautiful cathedral, is home to the popular Cavan Crystal brand of hand-cut glass, and also to Killykeen Forest park, on Lough Oughter, one of the finest coarse fishing lakes in Ireland.
In song, Cavan is most famous because of Percy French's song, 'Come back Paddy Reilly to Ballyjamesduff'. Cavan is dotted with numerous lakes, and small picturesque villages and is very popular with visitors.
Ballyjamesduff
Places to see:
KILLYCLUGGIN STONE
The Killycluggin stone is one of the remaining four 'La Tene' style, decorated stones found in Ireland. The La Tene style is characterised by concentric circles. The date and origin of the Killycluggin stone are unknown. It was discovered close to a stone circle. It was housed in the
National Museum, Dublin, for many years but is now in the County Museum, Ballyjamesduff. A replica of the stone (pictured here) has been erected by Cavan County Council on the roadside near where the original stone was discovered.
COHAW COURT TOMB
Cohaw is a double court tomb. What remains is a skeleton of big stones which once supported the roof of two small chambers. It was covered with a cairn of smaller stones. Orientated on a north-south axis, it was excavated in 1949. The remains of three individuals were found along with some fragments of pottery. The tomb is 24 meters long and 13 meters wide.
It stands on a hillside overlooking (and alongside) the main Cootehill, Shercock road and is signposted.
CAVAN ABBEY
Founded in 1300 by Giolla Iosa Rua O'Reilly as a Dominican abbey. In 1393 the Dominicans were expelled, and replaced by the Franciscans. The abbey was burned in 1451, 1468 and 1576. Owen Roe O'Neill was buried there in 1649. There are no remains of the medieval abbey although an 18th century tower survives on the site.
Cavan town
Cavan town is in the centre of the county and is the principal town in the county. It is also the headquarters of Cavan County Council, which has its offices on Farnham Street.
Farnham Street.
The county town is situated in a drumlin valley from which it takes its name "Cabhan" meaning a hollow. It is unusual historically as it was founded by the local Gaelic chiefs the O'Reillys and is one of the few (perhaps the only) Gaelic town in Irish history.
Cavan town is extremely progressive and has a population of approximately 3,509 in its immediate urban confines, and a further 2,114 in its environs.
Clough Oughter Castle (near the town) is located on a small island in Lough Oughter and has been excavated by the Office of Public Works.
Cootehill
A planned town, built during the great Georgian era of urban development, Cootehill derives it's name from the marriage of Thomas Coote, a Colonel in the Cromwellian forces, and Frances Hill from Hillsborough, Co Down. Situated amidst the rolling Drumlin hills of Cavan in an area of outstanding beauty, Cootehill offers the visitor a variety of outdoor and indoor activities. The
area offers children the opportunity of exploring a safe, unspoilt environment and experiencing the great variety of local wildlife. Many species of birds and animals inhabit the woods and fields surrounding the town, which are rich in a variety of plants and wild flowers such as
primrose, violets, bluebells and rhodedendrons. A stay in Cootehill would not be complete without a visit to Cohaw Court Cairn. Described by experts as the 'best example in Ireland', it dates back to 4,000 B.C. and was constructed by neolithic people who came to Drumgoon up the rivers Erne and Annalee. It was a burial tomb and during excavation in 1949 human bones, both buried and
cremated, were found. The town itself is well served by a large number of shops and pubs and live music can be enjoyed most evenings, especially during the summer.
Cootehill
Mullagh Aras Cilian (St. Kilian Heritage Centre)
In the Footsteps of St. Kilian - St. Kilian was born in Mullagh, Co. Cavan in 640 A.D. in 686 A.D. he became a missionary to Wurzburg in Germany where he was martyred in 689 A.D. The exhibition, which is introduced by a 15 minute audio-visual presentation, deals with St. Kilian and his times, his work, martyrdom and subsequent cult. It brings to life in maps, photographs,
statuettes, manuscript facsimiles and art reproductions, a glorious era in Irish Church history and the work of Irish missionaries in Europe in the 6th and 7th centuries. The exhibition also traces the development of gaelic script for the ogham writing of the 4th to the 7th centuries and the Wurzburg Glosses (the earliest example of written Irish c.750) to the illuminated script of the book of Kells.
Aras Cilian (St. Kilian Heritage Centre)
Location
Located 10km from Virginia via N3/R194 roads, 12km from Kells via Moynalty.
Opening Times
April - October: Monday - Saturday: 10.00 - 18.00 hrs Sunday: 12.00 - 18.00 hrs (During closed season, by arrangement)
Lifeforce Mill
The Mill Rock, Co. Cavan
The mill is open to visitors from May to September and at other times for groups by appointment. On arrival visitors are first invited to bake a loaf of bread from our own Stoneground Wholemeal Flour using natural ingredients - buttermilk, flour & salt - which is then oven baked as you go on the guided tour where you will see the workings of the mill. On completion of the tour (35 - 40 mins.) you collect your own loaf of freshly baked wholemeal brown bread hot out of the ovens of our coffee shop. The coffee shop is located in a stone building which is a new addition to the mill site. It was originally located some 50 miles (80 kms) away in the Boyne Valley and was to be demolished for a road widening project. Transported and re-erected stone by stone it has been saved for posterity and in it's new home adjoining the mill, it provides the perfect setting for the coffee shop and bakery.
Killeshandra
Killeshandra is a rural village set in the middle of the unspoilt countryside of Co Cavan. Surrounded by green fields, forests, lakes and rivers it offers the visitor a relaxed and enjoyable break from the frantic rush of everyday city life.
Killeshandra, viewed from the Croghan River
FISHING
Fishing on the shore of the Town Lake Killeshandra is a paradise for the angler.
The town is situated among some of the best fishing rivers and lakes in country. [Bream, roach, pike, eel and tench are plentiful in the numerous lakes and rivers. Trout fishing is also available in a number of lakes.
For the last number of years the town has hosted the King of Clubs Championship.
There is a local angling club which provides advice and assistance to visitors.
Bait, tackle and boats are available on request.
Some of the main rivers and lakes around Killeshandra.
Bellamont Forest Park
Co. Cavan
Bellamont Forest Park embraces part of Coote's Bellamont Estate and parts of the Dawson Estate at Dartrey. Several of the Dawson family are buried on Black Island but the Dawson house has long since disappeared. The Park is on both banks of the Dromore River where it flows from Dromore Lake and constitutes a national sanctuary with 8km of forest walks. A stand of 170 year old oak, mixed with holly, alder, ash and willow is a feature of the park. Red squirrel, fallow deer and fox are among the many animals which live here. The rivers and lakes carry duck and wildfowl in great numbers. Facilities include fishing stands, a picnic site and play area.
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