Monaghan is located in the north of the
Republic sandwiched between 3 counties located in Northern Ireland
and 3 fellow counties of the ROI. It forms a part of the historical
province of Ulster along with Cavan, Donegal and the six counties of
northern Ireland. The name of Monaghan comes from the Irish
language, derived from Muine Cheain meaning the Land of the Little
Hills. This name refers to the high occurrence of drumlins in the
area, which are small hills formed from glacial action during the
previous ice ages. A curiosity of County Monaghan is the presence of
a feature called a pene-enclave jutting into neighbouring County
Fermanagh in the west of the county. This is an area of land
belonging to Monaghan which cannot be accessed without passing
through Fermanagh on either side of it.
Monaghan is the sixth smallest county in Ireland but it has a
respectable population count of 56,000 (and growing) demonstrating
the area’s popularity as a home base. The county’s scenic landscape
can boast more than its fair share of mountains, forests, rivers and
a large number of lakes.
Holiday Home Monaghan
The Heritage Centre- St. Louis Convent
The Heritage Centre situated at St. Louis Convent, Market Road,
Monaghan Town tells the story of the St. Louis Sisters worldwide.
This Centre attempts to preserve the rich historical, educational
and cultural heritage of the Sisters of St. Louis in Ireland and
overseas. The story begins in Turkenstein in 1797, unfolds in
Strasbourg and in Juilly near Paris where the Institute was founded
in 1842. It then spread to Ireland in 1859, and thence to England,
West Africa and the Americas. The Heritage Centre gathers up the
memories of this story and brings it alive again through
memorabilia, artefacts, models, documents and commemorative albums.
It recalls St. Louis Sisters' work in Educational Development and
Health Care in France, Ireland, Belguim, England, California, West
Africa and Brazil. Also on display some beautiful Carrickmacross
Lace, Clones Crochet, Belleek China, Calligraphy and very colourful
craft work from Ghana, Nigeria, Benim and Brazil.
Rally School Ireland
Rally School Ireland is based in Co. Monaghan & provide action
packed days where you get to drive real rally cars on our purpose
built venue designed to get you very sideways!! We specialise in
individual corporate and group days out. We guarantee it will be an
action packed day of fun and excitement. No previous rally driving
experience required. We provide the adventure click on our website
to view our different course and prices. At Rally School Ireland the
drive is on for excellence.
Patrick Kavanagh Rural And Literary Resource Centre
The Centre houses exhibitions on local history and on Kavanagh, a
sixty-seat Audio-Visual Theatre, and a Research Library. Also on
view are twelve specially commissioned paintings illustrating
Kavanagh's epic poem 'The Great Hunger', a miniature model depicting
Kavanagh's classic, 'A Christmas Childhood', Kavanagh's Death Mask
and other memorabilia associated with the poet. The special feature
of the Patrick Kavanagh Centre is the unique performance tour of
Kavanagh Country, which takes in many local sites immortalised by
Innishkeen's most famous son, with anecdotes, historical facts, wild
rumours and even the odd poem along the way. The tour rounds off
back at the Centre with half-hour one-man show by Inniskeen
actor,Gene Carroll, advance booking advised.
Holiday Home Rental Monaghan
The Carrick Gallery
It is the intention of the Gallery to work towards the promotion and
development of the Arts in the North East. This will be achieved
through talks and courses on various subjects, held in the Gallery
throughout the year. If you are an artist who wishes to contact the
gallery about exhibiting work, or you simply want to be kept up to
date with events at the Gallery please contact us using the e-mail
address below. From November 2005, there will be a new venue for the
Arts in the North East. The Carrick Gallery will exhibit pieces by
mainly local artists. Paintings, Jewellery, Furniture, Rural Crafts,
and much, much more.
Hilton Park
Hilton Park is a beautiful Italianate mansion, located in
magnificent parklands. The house is famous for its cuisine, using
the best of home grown produce. Owned by the Madden family since
1734. The extensive gardens have been recently restored.
Hilton Park has been in the Madden family for over 250 years. The
present occupants are the eighth generation in direct line to live
there. The mansion house is set in 18th century landscaped parkland
with a Hill Fort as focal point. The estate extends to over 500
acres. The oak wood planted in 1752 are considered unusually tall
for so far north. Agricultural activities have been curtailed so as
not to conflict with wild life. The estate conserves an abundance of
wild flowers, sedges and ferns. The waterways contain freshwater
mussels and crayfish as well as brown trout. pike and large bream.
Badgers, foxes, fallow deer as well as buzzards, ravens, are
occasional visitors and may be seen on the estate.
Wildlife and Heritage Centre
This purpose-built Wildlife Exhibition & Educational Centre opened
in June 2000, displays one of the largest privately owned
collections of mounted birds and mammals in Ireland. The Centre
displays 200 species of Irish fauna in five specially designed
habitat sets; River/Lake/Coastal, Bog & Moorland, Woodland, Farmland
and Garden. These specially designed sets depict the mammals and
birds in their own natural environment. The Centre's aim is to
represent these habitats as realistically as possible. This presents
a unique opportunity to see 'close-up' many rare and beautiful
species of Irish wildlife. Rare birds such as the 'Merlin',
'Corncrake', 'Bittern' and the unique 'Brown and White Magpie'.
Mammals including the rare 'Pine Martin' and also all the common
animals found in Ireland.
Holiday Cottages Monaghan
Monaghan Leisure Complex
Monaghan Leisure Complex is easily the largest health & fitness
centre in the area. Fantastic facilities include a fully equipped
gym, which includes a wide range of cardiovascular and resistance
equipment as well as a superb selection of free weights. The complex
also includes a purpose built studio which hosts a wide range of
classes each week. The variety of classes available ensures the
ultimate in choice: Spin, BLT, Stability Ball, Circuit Training and
many more. Add to this the superb wet facilities comprising a 6-lane
25metre swimming pool, separate kiddies pool with 3 water features,
25-meter flume, sauna, steam room and Jacuzzi and you are guaranteed
the complete package
Carrickmacross Lace Gallery
Carrickmacross Lace is a delicate and enchanting Irish craft dating
back to a piece of Applique lace brought from Italy in 1816 by Mrs
Porter to her gifted sewing maid led to the foundation of a world
famous lace industry with a distinctive style all of its own. The
tradition of this lace was kept alive by St. Louis sisters for 100
years 1888 – 1988. This tradition is now carried on by the
Carrickmacross Gallery which ensures a high standard of
craftsmanship so that these people who began the craft and kept it
alive can be proud of it. The distinctive lace is expertly hand
stitched with designs that please both the eyes and the senses. Your
Carrickmacross Lace will become treasures to be passed on to future
generations. The international fashion designers, the Emmanuelles,
used Carrickmacross Lace on Princess Diana's Wedding Dress.
Saint Josephs Church Carrickmacross
Saint Joseph's Catholic Church was designed by J.J. McCarthy, one of
the foremost architects of the second half of the 19th Century in
Ireland. A Gothic style building 150 feet long by 60 feet wide with
a fine elegant spire is much frequented and deeply loved by
thousands of people. The Church was completed in 1866 and is the
most impressive building in the town. It has 10 stained glass
windows by the renowned artist Harry Clarke. The Church has note
worthy Stations of the Cross by Richard King. Mr. Richard Hurley,
architect very carefully and tastefully restored the Sanctuary in
1996. C.J. McCarthy son of J.J. McCarthy completed the work in Saint
Josephs on the death of his father in 1882. This included the Tower
and fine elegant spire.
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Ireland
Towns and Villages in County Monaghan
Unsurprisingly the principal town of the county is Monaghan town.
Two other strategically important towns are Castleblayney and
Carrickmacross. Other locations which could be considered when
exploring the county include Bellanode, Ballybay, Clones, Emyvale,
Iniskeen, Glaslough, Newbliss, Rockcorry, Scotstown and Smithborough.
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Monaghan Holiday Homes