Monaghan Towns and Villages - Ireland

Ballybay -  is located beside Lough Major and was founded on the linen industry but is now a prominent                        angling centre with several excellent waters.

Carrickmacross -  is a pretty market town which developed around a castle built by the Earl of Essex in                                     1630.  The site of the castle is now occupied by the convent of the St Louis nuns.  The
                             sisters revived the famous Carrickmacross lace and this tradition is kept alive today by
                             the Carrickmacross Lace Co - Op which is based in the Gallery. Buildings of note include
                             the Roman catholic Church, with the ten beautiful stained - glass windows, designed by
                             the renowned artist harry Clarke in 1925, St. Finbar's Protestant Church, the Courthouse
                             and the historic Magheross Church.
                             All these buildings and several others are featured in the Carrickmacross Heritage Trail
                             which is well signposted around the town.  There are interpretative panels at relevant
                             sites.

Castleblayney -  town was built by the Blayney family, the Courthouse, Market House and Church of
                         Ireland Church were later additions. Hope Castle was named after Henry Hope, owner
                         of one of the largest uncut diamonds in the world.  it is now part of Lough Muckno
                          Leisure Park which incorporates the Lough Muckno Waterski and Wakeboarding Club.
                          The lake is renowned for angling and there are also lovely walks and a golf course on site.

Clones - has many buildings and sites of historical interest.  The Diamond id dominated by the Church of
              Ireland and an early 9 / 10 century High Cross. Other buildings of note in and around the town
              include the Presbyterian Church, and the ruins of John Wesley's Methodist Church. All of these
              heritage sites and several others are featured in the Clones Heritage Trail which is well signposted                 around the town. Local writer Patrick McCabe's film ' The Butcher Boy' was shot in Clones.

Monaghan Town - is the capital of county Monaghan. It is a lively town with some wonderful architecture
                             that can best be appreciated on foot. St. Macartan's Cathedral, built in 1892
                             containing interesting Stations of the Cross and tapestries.  The original 17thc Market                                    House, County Museum, Courthouse, St Patrick's Church of Ireland, and the First
                             Monaghan Presbyterian Church are well worth a visit.  All of these heritage sites and                                    several others are featured in the Monaghan Heritage Trail which is well signposted
                             around the town. The Garage Theatre offers dramatic entertainment and the Market
                             House Arts Centre organises exhibitions and music events. Festivals include the
                             Monaghan Harvest Time Blues Festival, held each September.

Rockcorry - developed as a result of the linen industry which was founded by the Corr family. An Obelisk-
                    style monument, situated between Cootehill and Rockcorry, was erected by local electors in                         honour of the 18th c MP Richard Dawson.

Inniskeen - is full of images and reminders of the poet Patrick  Kavanagh who was born here in 1904.  The
                  Patrick Kavanagh  literary and Resource Centre is located in the church where he attended                           Mass as a boy.  Visitors can also access the adjacent graveyard where the poet is buried.  A
                  round tower marks the site of the early Christian monastery of the St Daig.

Glaslough Village - a former Tidy Town winner, originated from the presence of Castle Leslie. The castle is
                              now an up market hotel but visitors can walk around the grounds, exploring the splendid                               gardens of this 405 ha estate. Donagh graveyard contains the ruins of an early Christian
                              monastery of St Daig.

Donaghmoyne -  a former Tidy Town winner, originated from the presence of Castle Leslie.The castle is now
                          an up market hotel but visitors can walk around the grounds, exploring the ruins of an early                           Christian Church and High Cross.

Emyvale - the largest village in Co Monaghan, is a very old habitation and the site  of a 10th c Viking Fort.
                A Bronze Age tomb was unearthed here in 1959.  Close by are several lakes including Emy
                Lough  which is an important game fishery.  There are some lovely walking tours in and around
                the village which highlight local beauty spots and historical sites.

Newbliss - is a quiet village with a wide main street indicating its origins as an estate village.  The Garran                        Portal Tomb and the Lisnadarragh Wedge Tomb which are located in the Newbliss area are
                 fairly accessible and are remanants of an historic past.  The Tyrone Guthrie Centre at
                 Annaghmakerrig is a residential arts centre dedicated to the great theatre director Sir Tyrone
                 Guthrie.

Scotshouse - is a village with an historic past. Remnants of an ancient border - the Black Pigs Dyke run
                     through here and it is the birthplace of Arthur Griffiths.  There are two historic graveyards in
                     the vilage - Drum Swords and Magheratemple.

For more information on Monaghan's towns and villages, visit our website

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