Places to visit in County Cavan

Clough Oughter Castle
Located on a man-made island on Lough Oughter, the castle is accessible only by boat. It was built in the early 13th century by the Anglo-Normans but was soon seized by the O’Reillys who controlled it until the 16th century. The castle and lands were granted to Captain Hugh Culme as part of the Plantation of Ulster but were then seized by Irish rebels during the 1641 rebellion.
Clough Oughter Castle was used as a prison after the victory of Eoghan Roe O’Neill at the Battle of Benburb in 1646. The castle was finally abandoned after it was badly damaged during a siege by Cromwellian forces in 1653.

Drumlane Monastic Site, Milltown
Sitting between Drumlane and Derrybrick Loughs, are the remains of a 6th Century monastery founded by St. Mogue, the Bishop of Ferns. The round tower is one of the most striking features of the site, standing over 11m high. Look for the carvings of birds on the external wall. The church features a number of interesting stone heads, one above the door in the west wall and another three on the external face of the east window. Near the church there are a series of earthworks, probably the remains of the 12th century Augustinian Priory.

Kilmore Cathedral, Cavan
The grave of bishop Bedell situated six miles west of Cavan town. A famous Romanesque doorway in the cathedral dates to the late twelfth, early 13th century, and is believed to have originally been part of the nearby priory at Trinity Island in Lough Oughter.

Ballyhugh Arts and Cultural Centre
Ballyhugh Ballyconnell t: +353(0)49 95260 44 web: homepage.eircom.net/~ballyhugh/
Ballyhugh Arts and Cultural Centre is dedicated to the promotion and sharing of the rich cultural heritage of West Cavan. Courses are run regularly in arts, traditional crafts ,Irish music, and dance, creative writing and yoga. The house also houses a unique collection of artefact's and local photographs.

Cavan County Museum
Virginia Road Ballyjamesduff t:+353(0)49 8544 070 web:www.cavanmuseum.ie
Cavan County Museum houses the material of county Cavan and surrounding districts. Exhibition galleries feature unique Stone Age , Bronze Age and Medieval artefact's.

Cavan Crystal Showroom
Dublin Road Cavan t: +353(0)49 4331 800 web: www.cavancrystaldesign.com
Located in the Cavan Crystal Hotel, hosts an extensive range from tableware, furniture, textiles, pottery, ceramics, jewellery, wood, linen, iron craft, candles, sculpture and painting.

Bear Essentials - Handcrafted teddy bears & gifts
Tiernawannagh Bawnboy t: +353 (0) 49 9523 461 email: info@bearessentials.com
Showroom and Workshop of original handcrafted Mohair Teddy Bears. Visitors can see how the Teddy Bears are made or participate in the making of their own special bear.

Cavan Genealogy t:+ 353 (0) 49 433 1494
Are you tracing your ancestors? A visit to the Genealogy centre on the first floor of The Johnston Library, Farnham Street, Cavan is well worthwhile. Contact them with, as much information about your ancestors, before you come to Ireland and a lot of the research will be done on your arrival.
web:www.cavangenealogy.com

Outdoors and Dirty (ODD)
Extreme Activity Games Park Brackley Lake, Ballyconnell
The centre offers a wide range of adventures - mud buggies ,laser war games system, laser clay shoot system and hover craft.
www.odd.ie

Carratraw Canoe Centre
Carratraw Bridge, Butlersbridge.
Enjoy guided canoe trips around the tranquil interweaving channels of Lough Oughter.
www.carratrawcanoecentre.com

Guided Natural History Walks
You are invited to look and listen to some of the wild creatures living in County Cavan including birds,insects and plants. Your guide Heather Bothwell lives and works on a family farm near Killeshandra. A keen naturalist all her life, Heather is pleased to introduce you to the wildlife locally.
For more information contact Heather,
Phone 00353 (0) 876699681 heatherbothwell@eircom.net

Walk & Cycle Trails
Enjoy the many walk and cycle trails in County Cavan ,contact cavantourism.com for further information.

Tuesday 1st July - Sunday 6th July 2008
Cavan Summer Festival
This will be the first Cavan Summer Festival and will take place throughout Cavan Town
Activities include:
traditional, jazz, show bands, bluegrass and contemporary music.
Circus, Puppetry, Theatre, DJ classes and a music master class with Kila.
Visual arts exhibitions, free street theatre performances and number of gigs which will take place in Market Square


For more information on places to visit and tourist attractions in Cavan Contact Eonish Lodge