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County Monaghan is remarkable for the great number of its little hills. Only a few rise higher than 1,000 feet, but from many points there are good views over the well - tilled, undulating countryside with its lakes set here and there between the hills.

Monaghan formed part of the ancient territory of Oriel, and was known as the MacMahon country because of the dominance of that powerful clan.

From the 13th to the 16th century the MacMahon family controlled Monaghan, but in 1589 control passed to the British crown. Monaghan is in the traditional province of Ulster in northeastern Ireland bordered on the northwest, north, and northeast by Northern Ireland and on the southeast, south, and southwest by counties Louth, Meath, and Cavan. The county covers 1,290 sq km (498 sq mi).

It is the perfect destination for the serious angler, casual golfer, walker or cyclist who prefers the peace and quiet of winding country lanes. This is a county of great cultural and artistic wealth, with several bronze age megalithic sites and pre-historic remains. The poet Patrick Kavanagh found his early inspiration here at Inniskeen, where there is now an information centre on his poetry and life. The famous lace-making towns of Carrickmacross and Clones are world renowned for their traditional crafts. Recent developments include the re-opening of Monaghan County Museum, Lough Muckno and the leisure park at Castleblaney. Visitors to County Monaghan will be surprised at the diverse range of activities and entertainment available to all in this beautiful area

Castle Leslie Mrs rs Samantha Leslie, Glaslough, Monaghan .

Castle Leslie in the Kingdom of Oriel, just two hours from Dulbin has been in the Leslie family for over 300 years. It is a very special place set in an estate that covers 1000 acres beside the picturesque cut stone village of Glaslough.

On arrival Guests will not find a front of house reception desk but a welcoming oak panelled hal an afternoon tea I th Drawing Room. The beauty of Castle Leslie is that in spite of its rich history and Victorian splendour it is one of the most informal fo the Great Houses of Irelnad. The Castle is like a step back in time with all the glory of a bygone era. There are no phones televisions or clocks in the rooms and the oly concessions made to 20th century is lots of hot water and plenty of heating. The original furniture, family portraits and books fill every room enhancing the Castle's homely atmosphere. The family live in the servants wing so guests can enjoy the castle for themselves. Due to the nature of the Castle it is unsuitable for children but a wonderful refuge for grown ups from the outside world.

Bedrooms in the Castle

The 14 bedrooms are steeped in the past with Prince Pierre of Monaco, the King and Queen of Sweden and the Churchill's among the many house guests. The ensuite bathrooms are a feature in their own right with fabulously large baths, wacy showers and outrageous toilets all done ina very tongue in cheek style, reflectig the family's mildly ecentric history and the wonders of Victorian plumbing.

Dining in the Castle

Dining in the evening is as it was in the old days with pre dinner drinks served in the Drawing Room or Fountain Garden depending on the time of year.

The 'a la carte' menu is based on fine fresh ingredients, many local which are simply prepared to highlight natural flavours. Dinner is served in the original family dining room which hasn't changed in over 100 years. Dining is open to non residents but by booking only.

Location

Situated 6km north of Monaghan at Glaslough Village, between N2 and N12. The estate boasts three lakes, rolling parkland and a fine covering of mature native hardwoods. On a lazy Summer days experience the tranquil timeless feeling of a piece of Irish heaven. In the Autumn, when the woodlands many golden hues reflect on the waters at sunset there's no more beautiful place to be than Glaslough. Christmas fast approaching, the Castle is decked with boughs of holly, ivy and Christmas trees from the estate. Then Spring bursts in to life and there are many natural walkways to follow and numerous specimen trees to see.

Donaghmoyne 'Manann Castle'
Monaghan, Monaghan.

A motte, causeway and bailey possibly started by Pipard around 1193 and made into a castle in 1197. the first fortification was made of wood, but the stone castle was erected in 1244. It was delivered up to the Crown in 1302, and was abandoned in the 15th century. The motte is covered in trees, but some of the walls of the castle still remain. The motte was joined to the castle by means of a stone causeway or bridge, probably erected in 1244.

Clones Round Tower, High Cross and Church
Clones, Monaghan .

An old monastery was founded here by St. Tighernach in the 6th century. The high Cross probably stood near the Round Tower originally and was later moved to its present position in the Diamond. The cross (9th century?) is in two parts which did not belong together originally. On the west face are Adam and Eve, the Sacrifice of Isaac and Daniel in the Lions' Den, while on the east face are the Adoration of the Magi, the Marriage Feast of Cana, the Multiplication of the Loaves and Fishes and the Crucifixion, and there are panels with geometrical decoration on the two sides. Further down the town is the graveyard with the Round Tower. The Round Tower is retained to a height of about 75 feet, and has a square headed door and windows. Nearby is a shrine in the shape of a house, with interesting finials, called St. Tighernach's Shrine. It is carved out of one stone. Tradition says that there is a vault underneath it, in which bodies were placed having been taken from their coffins which were later destroyed beside the shrine. In a churchyard not far away is 'The Abbey' which is the 12th century nave of a nave and chancel church. It has a chancel arch and a round-headed window.

The stones of the arch have been removed except for two springing stones which were probably shaped in the form of animal heads. In both of these graveyards there are a number of most individual 17th and 18th century gravestones, some giving an indication of the profession of the person buried beneath, others having skulls, crossbones, hour-glasses etc. On the north-western side of the town is a motte and bailey reached by a tarred pathway.

SAINT LOUIS CONVENT HERITAGE CENTRE

This Centre attempts to preserve the rich historical, educational and cultural heritage of the Sisters of St. Louis in Ireland and overseas. The story begins in Turkenstein in 1797, unfolds in Strasbourg and in Juilly outside Paris where the Institute was founded in 1842. It then spreads to Ireland in 1859, and thence to England, West Africa and the Americas.

The Heritage Centre gathers up the memories of this story and brings it alive again through memorabilia, artefacts, models, documents and commemorative albums. It recalls St. Louis Sisters' work in Educational Development and Health Care in Nigeria and Ghana from colonial to post colonialism, to independence in these countries. A special place in the Centre is devoted to traditional crafts.

Contact: Mona Lally Saint Louis Convent, Monaghan Town, County Monaghan.

Mullan Village

Mullan village is located close to the Armagh border, a few miles to the west of Emyvale Co. Monaghan in the town land of Mullan. It consists of a mill which has housed James Boylan Footwear since 1944 and about 24 houses, only three of which are currently occupied. Mullan is typical of many mill villages built in Ulster during the 18th and 19th centuries. Mc Cutheon in The Industrial Archaeology of Northern Ireland (1984) describes these settlements: 'In country areas the mill village was a compact cluster of regular terraced housing .....The character of these industrial settlements reflected the nature and outlook of the proprietors, who had usually built or financed both the houses themselves and an associated range of public buildings- school, church, recreation hall, welfare and community centre, library, shop- which together made up the physical fabric of the village'. Favourable conditions such as the construction of roads and canals enabled goods to be transported from remote locations like Mullan, (the Great Northern Railway , Ulster Canal and the main Enniskillen to Belfast road passed very close to Mullan).

Ballybay

Ballybay is a progressive town set among low-lying hills on the shores of Lough Major, head-water of the Dromore River, a tributary of the River Erne. There is excellent coarse fishing in the neighbourhood, particularly for bream. Lough Major, on the Castleblayney road, has also been developed as a trout lake.

Carrickmacross

Carrickmacross is an attractive town with a spacious main street, in the southern part of County Monaghan; there is coarse fishing in the lakes near by. The exquisite Carrickmacross lace, which gained the town a great reputation, is still for sale at a local convent. Some slight traces remain of the castle built by the Earl of Essex, on the site now occupied by the St Louis convent.

Castleblayney

Castleblayney is named after Sir Edward Blayney, who received a grant of land here from James I. The town is built on ground sloping up.

from the western shore of Lough Muckno, the largest and most beautiful of Monaghan's lakes and a well-known coarse fishing water. There are boats for hire, sailing, horse-riding, tennis, golf (9) and forest walks. In the grounds of Lough Muckno Leisure Park stands Hope Castle; the ill-omened Hope Diamond derived its name from the family which lived in the castle. The leisure park is set on 900 acres of wooded country with facilities of many kinds available.

Clones

This is an important agricultural centre beside the Fermanagh border in the western part of County Monaghan. In early Christian times it was the site of a monastery founded by St Tighearnach, who died here in 548. There are some slight remains of a later abbey and a well-preserved round tower.

An ancient sculptured Celtic Cross stands in the centre of the town. Clones crochet lace, once widely exported, is still made in the area and a permanent exhibition of Clones lace may be viewed at the Diamond.

Emyvale

Emyvale was the stronghold of the McKennas, a powerful Celtic family. Originally from Meath, it is said that they established here after one John McKenna came on a hunting trip and spent two days chasing his prey, a wild stag. After the hunt, he rested with the Treanors, the local chieftains and while here, he heard that his position in Meath had been usurped.

He subsequently married one of Treanor's daughters, established himself in Tully Fort (which is still in evidence south-east of the village) and his family grew to be the most powerful influence in the area. The great Irish novelist, William Carleton (1794-1869), received his classical education at Glennan, just east of Emyvale, from 1812 to 1814, and also wrote the delightful novel "The Fair of Emyvale", which is one of his finest stories.

There are several small lakes around Emyvale, most notable of which is the famed in song and story Emy Lough, one of Co. Monaghan's best known beauty spots and renowned for its trout fishing.

Glaslough Glaslough village is 7 miles (11 km) north-east of Monaghan, with the beautiful timbered demesne of Glaslough House near by which is also an equestrian centre. A few miles west of there is Emyvale,in the heart of a picturesque, well-wooded district. Lough Emy, near the village, is noted for the number of its fowl and swans.

Inniskeen

Although the village of Inniskeen is situated in County Monaghan Much of the surrounding countryside, of what has become known as Kavanagh Country, in honour of Patrick Kavanagh, celebrated Irish poet and native of Inniskeen, is located in County Louth. The village itself is on the county bounds south of the Dundalk to Castleblaney road and has Dundalk as its postal centre. Inniskeen was part of the ancient Magh Muirthemtne and is the site of an early Celtic church foundation founded by St. Daig mac Carell in the 6th-7th century, the remains of which includes a round tower.

Monaghan Town

Monaghan is an undulating county with many lakes and numerous gentle hills. A traditional countryside of snug farmhouses and market towns. Here is the pleasure of uncrowded waterways. For those who visit holiday memories will consist of talking to lovely people on a farm, or being alone on a hilltop surveying miles of open countryside in all directions. There is always a warm and friendly welcome for you in County Monaghan, where the amenities and attractions are as varied and splendid as its people.

Rockcorry Rockcorry is a lovely neat village with handsome stone buildings. It was built as a linen town by the Corr family. John Cregg, inventor of the shorthand system which bears his name, was born here in 1867. The ruin of the old linen mill can be seen on the outskirts of the village.

Angling in County Monaghan
Mr Willie Colton, Emy Lough, Monaghan, Monaghan .

Throughout this beautiful County there is always a warm and friendly welcome for the visiting Angler. Enriched by natural Drumlin Landscape, the County an it's surrounding neighbours Cavan, Fermanagh, Armagh, Tyrone and Louth provide easy access to rich fishing, glorious sightseeing, historical sites and lively day and night entertainment.
The lakes and rivers are here for your enjoyment, with super stocks of Bream, Roach, Pike Eel, Tench and Hybrids. Trout and Salmon fishing is also available on many lakes and river throughout the County. Local anglers are always on hand to provide the visitor with expert advice and assistance. Bait, Gillies, tackle and boats for hire are all readily available on request. Included on this brochure are most of the better known fishing locations but obviously this only represents a fraction of what is available in the County. Detailed Fishery Board maps are available from the Tourist Office or your local accommodation provider. We hope you have an enjoyable time and trust that your "catch" is good. ANGLING FESTIVALS

APRIL:

*Easter Angling Festival - A major fishing festival organised on the shores of Lough Muckno with excellent access to quality fishing. Total prize fund £2,500.

MAY:

*Farney Angling Festival - Carrickmacross *Ballybay Coarse Angling Festival - Lough Major Ballybay.

JUNE:

Irish Inter-Provincials Coarse Angling Championships: 12 man Teams involved, from each of the four provinces. *Irish Teams of four: Selection of the Irish 4 man team to represent Ireland abroad in international Coarse Angling Competitions. *The Clones/Lisnaskea Angling Festival. Week long festival of Angling in two centres.

JULY:
*The Muckno 100 Angling Festival. Ireland's premier coarse angling summer festival. * Garda All Ireland Coarse Angling Competition. *Smithwicks all Ireland Open Angler of the Year Championship.

AUGUST:

*Carrickroe Angling Festival, Lough More, Monaghan.

SEPTEMBER:

*Monaghan Pairs Angling Competition. A unique Irish "pairs" (teams of 2) Coarse Angling competition. *Coarse Angler of the Year Competition.

OCTOBER:

*All Ireland Coarse Angling Shore Pike Match, Lough Muckno, Castleblayney.

Golf

Castleblayney Golf Club
Muckno Park,
Castleblayney, Monaghan
Tel : +353 (0)421 401907
Directions
Castleblayney Town Centre
Course Details
Holes: 9 Yardage: 2678

Clones Golf Club

Mr. Peter McGrane, Hilton Park, Clones, Monaghan. Directions Hilton Park 4 km from Clones 9 hole and due to turn 18 in mid -2000 Situated on the limestone belt in Drumlin country with magnificent views of the Monaghan/Fermanagh countryside. Very dry all year round Green fees £10 weekday £12 weekend

Pubs

The Squealing Pig Bar & Restaurant
Mr.& Mrs. Ray & Emma Aughey, The Diamond, Monaghan Town, Monaghan

Buzzing 3 tier bar and restaurant at the hub of Monagahan's social scene. Catering to all - but particularly popular with the young over 21 's. Traditional American style restaurant offering an extensive, yet keenly priced Menu. A lively busy Pub where you will be looked after.