Cavan
County Cavan
County Cavan is located in the border region of Ireland in the province of Ulster, and ideally situated just an hour and a half from either Dublin or Belfast, and just an hour from the coast of Donegal or Sligo. Truly unique and vastly rich in terms of geography, history and sociology, the County is truly one of Ireland’s hidden gems. Cavan remains one of the most underexplored and underexploited in terms of tourism and yet the county boasts a plethora of riches for those who seek to experience Ireland and what it has to offer. Cavan is truly unique and truly unspoilt.
Cavan is often referred to as ‘The Lakelands County’ and contains some three hundred and sixty five lakes which are unrivalled in terms of sheer raw natural beauty. The waterways in Cavan provide an abundance of opportunities for angling, boating, canoeing and sightseeing. The county has some of the best coarse fishing and pike fishing in Europe, and the River Erne has been linked to the River Shannon with the Woodford Canal, so it is possible to go from Clare to Cavan by water.
Brief History
Artefacts found on the shores of Lough Macnean (near Blacklion) indicate that Mesolithic travellers were the first peoples to visit the area, but it is believed the first settlers came to Cavan during the Neolithic area from 5000 BC. These settlers would have been farmers and Cavan is blessed with an abundance of Neolithic tombs and monuments from this era. The area around the Cavan Burren and Cuilcaigh Mountain Forest (Blacklion) have massive concentrations of court tombs, portal tombs, passage tombs and wedge tombs, and most are easily accessible. The Celts arrived during the Bronze Age and bought with them iron thus giving them a vastly superior technological edge.
The Christians came to Ireland around the year 431 and Cavan contains some stunning sites which bare homage to this era. One fine example is Drumlane Abbey in Milltown (Year 555) which is said to have been founded by St Colmcille. The name of St Mogue is also heavily associated with the monastery. The site is easily accessible by car, is fantastically preserved, and well worth the visit.
The Norman invasion of Ireland took place on 1 May 1169 at the behest of Dermot Mac Murrough the King of Leinster, with the support of King Henry II. In Belturbet, there are the remnants of a motte and bailey (Norman settlement) built by the Normans which was of massive strategic importance. This was built at one of the only shallow crossing points on the River Erne, thus giving massive strategic advantage to those who controlled it. In an age where water provided the chief means of travel, whoever controlled the ford in essence controlled the river and the traffic and the tariffs and taxes associated with the waterway.
Clough Oughter castle near Killeshandra is a fine example of a Norman Castle, but can only be reached by boat or by the avid swimmer! The Castle towers from amid a setting of farmlands and wooded hills which end at a water’s edge coloured by purple-hued rushes, yellow water lilies, and white swans. The lakes surrounding the castle are a favoured haunt of the great blue heron and the great crested grebe. Famed as the site where the beloved Bishop Bedell was imprisoned and died, Clough Oughter Castle is a circular tower, standing on a man-made island, a ‘crannog’. Believed to have been built in the early 13th century, the castle belonged to the largest clan in Ireland-the O’Reillys for almost 300 years. A stronghold and fortress for the family, it remained in their control until the 1600′s when, during the Ulster Plantation and takeover by the British, it became a Royal castle. In 1641, it was recaptured by the O’Reillys and remained theirs until it was badly damaged by canon fire and subsequently abandoned in 1653.
The plantation of Ireland was a huge and highly successful attempt to colonise the province of Ulster under the reign of King James I of England. Protestant settlers were bought in and settled on lands confiscated by Catholics. Belturbet is an example of a plantation town and offers one of many Heritage Town trails in Cavan which highlights many places of interest from this era and beyond.
Activities
Cavan has an abundance of things to do, and places to see and too many to list here unfortunately. From world class angling opportunities, to fantastic historical sites, to ample walking, boating, canoeing and scenic drives, Cavan has much to offer. There are several golf courses, equestrian centres, museums and visitor centres, and sites of historical interest. Cavan remains one of the last unspoilt areas that Ireland has to offer, and this is what makes the county so unique. Relatively unscarred by large-scale development the region is ideal for those wishing to see a piece of genuine Ireland. Cavan remains a gem in the fantastic island of Eire.
Rent a canoe from Cavan Canoe Centre and explore the Lough Oughter System and Clough Oughter Castle within the surrounds of a truly serene and environmentally protected drumlin dotted landscape. Take a cruiser out on the River Erne and enjoy a few nights stopping into various towns along the way. Drive from Blacklion past the Cavan Burren and have lunch among the ghosts of the earliest Irish settlers in Cuilcaigh Mountain Forest. Continue on through the Bellavally Gap and on towards Tullydermot falls (Cuillcaigh Mountains) and witness spectacular views alone and apart to the rest of Ireland. After a visually and mentally inspiring day eat at one of many fine restaurants such as Neven Maguires Macnean house (Blacklion). Hike in Killykeen forest and surround yourself in a naturist’s paradise. Visit one of several towns and explore the culture and sociology and enjoy the entertainment and ‘the craic’ in a traditional Irish pub.
From world class angling opportunities, to fantastic historical sites, to ample walking, boating, canoeing and scenic drives, Cavan has much to offer. There are several golf courses, equestrian centres, museums, and sites of historical interest. There are lots of local Festivals throughout the year, musical, theatrical, artistic and much much more. Cavan has something for everyone!!!
For more information and for maps, activities, places to visit, restaurants, and accommodations and for a list of everything County Cavan have to offer please contact:
Cavan County Tourism:
For enquiries relating to www.cavantourism.com booking, information or brochure-request service:
Email tourism@cceb.ie, stating the nature of your enquiry, together with your name and contact details.
Telephone: +353 (0)49 437 7200
Alternatively, you can write to:
Cavan Tourism,
Cavan County Council,
Johnston Library & Farnham Building,
Farnham Street,
Cavan.
To book accommodation in Cavan contact: +353 (0)49 433 1942
