Monaghan Tourist Attractions
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Monaghan (Muineachain, "Little Hills"), county town and market center of Monaghan county, lies in the north of the Republic, near the border with Northern Ireland, at the junction of the N2, N12 and N54.The Ulster Canal, which links Belfast in Northern Ireland with the west coast of Ireland, although today in a state of neglect, runs through the town.There was a settlement here as early as the ninth century, but the present town dates from the 18th and 19th centuries.
Monaghan Court House (County Museum)
Monaghan (Muineachain, "Little Hills"), county town and market center of Monaghan county, lies at the junction of the N2, N12 and N54. The parish church of St Patrick here is neo-Gothic. Near the church stands the fine Court House (1829), which now houses the County Museum and and an adjoining little art gallery.
Market House
Monaghan (Muineachain, "Little Hills"), county town and market center of Monaghan county, lies at the junction of the N2, N12 and N54. In Market Place is the small and elegant Market House (1792), in neo-classical style. In Old Cross Square is the Old Infirmary Building (1768), and near this is the Market Cross (1714).
St Macartan's Cathedral
On the south side of the town of Monaghan, on high ground, stands the neo-Gothic St Macartan's Cathedral; its slender spire is a local landmark.
Patrick Kavanagh Rural & Literary Resource Center
The Kavanagh Country Tour was conducted by a local actor who takes the visitors around the sites.
Surroundings
The surroundings of Monaghan have many feautures of interest.
Glaslough
7mi/11km north of Monaghan on the R185 lies the picturesque little village of Glaslough, on the outskirts of which is the park of Leslie Castle (not open to the public).
Castleblayney
14mi/22km southeast of Monaghan on the N2 is Castleblayney, near which is Lough Muckno, the largest and most beautiful of the Monaghan lakes. Like other loughs in the area, it offers good fishing.
Carrickmacross
12mi/20km south of Castleblayney, which lies to the southeast of Monaghan, on the N2 is Carrickmacross, with a convent which makes high quality lace. Around the town are several good fishing loughs. Golf course and tennis courts are available.
Clones
13mi/21km southwest of Monaghan, on the border with Northern Ireland, lies Clones, the site of a monastery founded by St Tighearnach in the sixth century. Clones crochet lace, once widely exported, is still made here. Examples of this beautiful handwork can be seen in the Clones Lace Gallery (opening times given).In the main square, the Diamond, can be seen a 15ft/4.5m high cross (10th C., restored; National Monument) with representations of Adam and Eve, Cain and Abel, Daniel in the Lions' Den and the Arrest of Christ on the west side, and the Adoration of the Kings, the Twelve Apostles (?), the Last Supper and the Crucifixion on the east side.In an ancient graveyard are a 75ft/23m high round tower and a church-shaped tomb with finials. In another graveyard nearby stands a ruined 12th C. church known as the Abbey (National Monument). In both graveyards are a number of unusual 17th and 18th C. tombstones.
Ulster Canal Stores
It is an 18th C. stone canal warehouse with a mounted history of hand-craft during the Great Famine. This is the starting point for walking, cycling and town trails.
