Monaghan is a lively town with some wonderful architecture that can best be appreciated on foot. Incorporated by James I in 1613, Monaghan was once a base of the MacMahons who ruled this territory for centuries, setting up here formally in the 14th century.

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 The 17th century was a tempestuous one for Monaghan with power over it changing hands between the Irish and English several times before residing in English hands after the Williamite conquest of the early 1690s. For the next two centuries it was basically a Presbyterian town and a colonial centre of commerce and local government.

On Hill Street, in the town centre, is the County Museum which is home to a vast array of historical artifacts, including the important Cross of Clogher dating from the 14th Century. Building commenced on the magnificent St Macartan’s Cathedral in 1862. It was built in the neo-gothic style and contains interesting Stations of the Cross and tapestries. It was constructed using limestone from a local quarry near Old Cross Square. Other buildings of particular note around the town include the original 17th c. Market House, the Courthouse, St Patrick’s Church of Ireland, and the First Monaghan Presbyterian Church.

The Rossmore Memorial and the Market Cross are also of historical interest. There is a signed Heritage Trail in place in the town which includes these interesting buildings and brochures of the trail are available in the Tourist Office, Town Hall, Market House, County Museum and local library.  The town also boasts a Leisure Complex, a pitch & putt course and good shopping facilities.  It also has excellent entertainment facilities with varied year-round programmes on offer at the Market House and the  Garage Theatre.

 

OF INTEREST in & AROUND Monaghan

St McCartan’s Cathedral

Easily the most imposing building in Monaghan is St Macartan’s Cathedral. The decision to build a cathedral was first made in 1858 by Bishop McNally and the site was bought for £800. Designed by the architect JJ McCarthy in the late 14th century style, its majestic tower rises to a height of 250ft. A superb statue of St Macartan stands at the front of the main entrance.

County Museum

Monaghan County Museum first opened to the public in 1974. County Monaghan has seen many social, cultural and political changes both at local and national level since then. These diverse changes are reflected in the museum’s collections of artefacts and displays. Every item in the museum collection is connected to the county in some way; it may have been found here, made here or owned by someone who lived here. The museum collection covers all aspects of the countys history incorporating archaeology, the early Christian period, the plantation era, transport, conflict, agriculture, lace and folklife. The services that the museum offers are diverse; tours of the museum and exhibitions; workshops; walking tours of Monaghan town; research; educational events; local history and heritage; outreach events and exhibitions and object identification are just some of the services you can use. There are also a number of interactive displays which aid in the accessibility of the museum both physically and intellectually. Opening times are Monday to Friday 11am-5pm and Saturday 12pm to 5pm. Admission is Free. Monaghan County Museum, Hill Street, Monaghan Town. Tel: +353 (0) 47 82928
E: comuseum@monaghancoco.ie 
www.monaghan.ie/museum

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ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT

The Market House, Venue & Gallery – Market Street, Monaghan Town.  tel: +353 (0)47 38162  email: themarkethouse@eircom.net – The Market House, Monaghan, was built in 1792 to the designs of a talented amateur architect of the time called Samuel Hayes. The Market House holds arts events such as exhibitions, musical performances, readings, workshops and rehearsals. The building has access for people with disabilities and is also available for civil ceremonies.

The Garage Theatre – Armagh Rd, Monaghan.  tel: +35 (0) 47 39777 www.garagetheatre.com

IONTAS Arts Centre – Conabury, Castleblayney, Co. Monaghan.  tel: +353 (0) 42 9753400  www.iontascastleblayney.ie – Iontas is a community and arts resource centre based in Castleblayney.  Iontas is an award winning theatre which showcases a wide variety of dance, drama, comedy and musical acts.

THINGS TO SEE IN MONAGHAN

VISITOR ATTRACTIONS

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Patrick Kavanagh Centre, Inniskeen, Co Monaghan. tel: +353 (0) 42 9378560 or e: infoatpkc@eircom.net  www.patrickkavanaghcountry.com – The Patrick Kavanagh Centre houses a permanent exhibition which recounts the life and work of Patrick Kavanagh. 

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Brehon Brewhouse, Dunelty, Inniskeen, tel: +353 (0)86 8230914 www.brehonbrewhouse.ie

Carrickmacross Lace Gallery, Market Square, Carrickmacross, Co Monaghan. tel: +353 (0) 42 9664176 e: info@carrickmacrosslace.ie www.carrickmacrosslace.ie

Carrickmacross Workhouse, Shercock Road, Carrickmacross. tel: +353 (0) 42 9664540 www.carrickmacrossworkhouse.com

Swallow Studios Textiles Room & Gift Shop, Annyalla : tel. +353 (0) 42 9746614 www.lizchristy.com

Ulster Canal Stores Vistor Centre & Clones Lace Museum. Cara Street, Clones : tel: +353 (0) 47 52125 : www.ulstercanalstoresvisitorcentre.ie

Monaghan County Museum, 1-2 Hill Street, Monaghan Town. tel: +353 (0) 47 82928 : e: comuseum@monaghancoco.ie

Sam More Open Farm, Threemilehouse. tel: +353 (0) 86 2322601

Forest Parks & Amenities

Rossmore Forest Park : www.coillteoutdoors.ie – Rossmore Forest Park is located 3.5km south west of Monaghan Town on the R189 to Newbliss. It was formerly part of the Barony of Rossmore created in 1796 and covers over 320 hectares with many forest walks, a wonderful Play-Park for children, a Giant Sculpture trail and remnants of its past life as an estate.

Derrygorry/Favour Royal Forest : www.coillteoutdoors.ie – Derrygorry/ Favour Royal Forest is situated approximately 15km north of Monaghan Town, the two woodlands are part of one forest that lies beside one another on both sides of the border. Available here are walks, picnic areas etc.

Dartrey Forest : www.coillteoutdoors.ie – was formerly the estate of the Dawson family and is currently managed by Coillte as a commercial forest. The Forest is bordered by a Famine wall . There are several walks in the forest and it is also famous for a number of historical monuments.

Lough Muckno Leisure Park www.monaghantourism.com – Lough Muckno Leisure Park in Castleblayney was originally part of the estate of the Blayney family. The grounds of the estate now form the wonderfully scenic Lough Muckno Leisure Park. Facilities include walking trails, picnic areas, Playgrounds. Lough Muckno is also an Angling Centre of Excellence with unrivalled access for anglers.

OTHER FOREST PARKS INCLUDE: Billy Fox Memorial Park, Bawn, Hollywood Park near Ballinode, Town Park, Ballybay. Peter’s Lake, Monaghan Town.

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Activities To Enjoy

Walking & Hiking Trails

Monaghan Town Heritage Trail – Monaghan Town. www.monaghantourism.com e. tourism@monaghancoco.ie

Ulster Canal Greenway, Old Cross Sq., Monaghan Town. e. info@ulstercanalgreenway.com www.ulstercanalgreenway.com

Monaghan Way Walk – 46km trail from Inniskeen to Clontibret www.irishtrails.ie/trail/monaghan-way/24 : e. tourism@monaghancoco.ie

Clones Town Heritage Trail – Clones, Co. Monaghan. www.monaghantourism.com e. tourism@monaghancoco.ie

Sliabh Beagh Way

https://sliabhbeaghadventures.ie/trails/walking/sliabh-beagh-way 

46km long distance walk from St. Patrick’s Chair in Co. Tyrone, over Bragan Mountain and into Fermanagh, ending at Donagh.

Knockatallon Walks, 

https://sliabhbeaghadventures.ie/trails/walking

Sliabh Beagh Tourism Centre, Knockatallon. tel: +353 (0) 47 89014 : 

e. info@sliabhbeaghhotel.ie

Emy Lough Looped Walk, Emyvale, Co. Monaghan. www.monaghantourism.com e. tourism@monaghancoco.ie

Carrickmacross Kavanagh Trail, Carrickmacross, Co. Monaghan. www.monaghantourism.com : e. tourism@monaghancoco.ie

Carrickmacross Walking Tour, Carrickmacross, Co. Monaghan. tel: 042 9664833 e. info@carrickmacrosschamber.com

A Guided Walking Tour of Monaghan Town – Tel. 087 252 5457 e: patrickjoesphsherry@gmail.com : www.monaghantourism.com

Carrickmacross Historic Town Trail – e: tourism@monaghancoco.ie : www.monaghantourism.com

A Guided Walking Tour of Clones Town – Tel. 047 52125 e: ulstercanalstores@outlook.com : www.monaghantourism.com

5 of the best Walking Loops in and around Carrickmacross www.monaghantourism.com

A Guided Walking Tour of Glaslough Heritage & Biodiversity Walking Trails – Tel. 087 7650282

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Golfing

Mannan Castle Golf Club, Donaghmoyne, Carrickmacross. tel: +353 (0)42 966 3308 www.mannancastlegolfclub.ie

Rossmore Golf Club – Monaghan. tel: +353 (0)47 81316 www.rossmoregolfclub.ie

Clones Golf Club – Hilton Park, Clones. tel: +353 (0)47 56017 : www.clonesgolfclub.com

Nuremore Golf & Country Club – Dublin Road, Carrickmacross, Co. Monaghan. tel: +353 (0) 42 967 1368 e. golf@nuremore.com www.nuremore.com : www.facebook.com/NuremoreGolfClub – The 18 hole Championship golf course is set in tranquil surroundings and rolling drumlins.

Concra Wood Golf and Country Club – Dundalk Road, Concra, Castleblayney, Co. Monaghan. Phone: (042) 974 9485 : www.concrawood.ie – 18 holes designed by two Irish Golfing Legends Christy O’Connor Senior and Christy O’Connor Junior.

Adventure & Activity

GR8 – Monaghan Road, Castleblayney, t. 042 9749955 e. gr8daysout@gmail.com www.gr8entertainment.ie www.facebook.com/GR8Entertainment

Rally School Ireland – Scotstown, Co. Monaghan: www.rallyschoolireland.ie

Tanagh Outdoor Education Centre – Dartrey, Rockcorry, Via Cootehill PO. www.tanaghoutdooreducation.com

Coral Leisure Centre opened in September 2006 . The building is owned by the Monaghan County Council and managed by Coral Leisure. The franchise consists of 9 leisure centres across the country. Once a member of one of our clubs you can avail of using any of our other centres should you be on the move or on vacation. Our facility includes a modern fully equipped Gymnasium, fitness studio and a dedicated spin class studio. We also have a 6 lane Olympic sized swimming pool where we conduct a multitude of swimming lessons to cater for all abilities & age groups. Attached to our main pool is 40m water slide which is a big hit with families. Our leisure suite consists of a spa pool, wood sauna & steam room with eucalyptus injection. Our outdoor facilities include 2 full size flood lite tennis courts and ample free parking. Clones Road, Monaghan Town. tel: +353 (0) 47 81734 E: monaghan@coralleisure.ie  https://monaghan.coralleisure.ie/

Inniskeen Pitch & Putt – Inniskeen, Co. Monaghan. tel: 087 139 0612

Planet Kidz – Monaghan Business Park. tel: +353 (0)47 75830

AWOL Outdoor Adventure – Derrylevick, Killybrone. tel: +353 (0) 47 86224 www.letsgoawol.com

Mourne Clay Shooting Ground – Loughmourne, Castleblayney, Co. Monaghan. tel: +353 (0) 42 9745953 www.clayshooting.ie

Irish Country Quads – Carrickakelly, Inniskeen, Co. Monaghan. tel: +353 (0)42 9378997 www.irishcountryquads.com

The Peace Link – Liseggerton, Clones. Tel. 047 52638. Email: info@thepeacelink.eu

Castleblayney Outdoor Adventure Centre – Muckno, Castleblayney. Tel. 087 391 7459. e: castleblayneyoac@gmail.com

The Greenway is a work in progress. It started off in 2013 with the opening of a 4.2km section through Monaghan town. Funding is in place for Phase 2, which is due to open in 2021, and plans are being put in place for future sections.

Cycling

Sliabh Beagh Cycling www.irishtrails.ie

Kingfisher Cycle Trailwww.kingfishercycletrail.com

The Ulster Canal Trail www.cycleni.com/74/ulster-canal-cycle-trail

Drumlin Trails Bike Hire – McQuaid Filling Station, Emyvale Road, Glaslough tel. 047 88108, mob: 086 8273401, mob: 087 6328396. e. info@drumlintrails.com

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Equestrian

Mullaghmore Equestrian Centre – Mullaghmore, Tydavnet, Co. Monaghan. tel: +353 (0) 47 89645 : email: maresemccarra@hotmail.com

Cloncaw Equestrian Centre – Glaslough, Co. Monaghan. tel: +353 (0) 47 88882 www.cloncaw.com

Castle Leslie Estate – Glaslough, Co. Monaghan. tel: +353 (0) 47 88100 www.castleleslie.com