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Clones
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Clones is a
small town in the western part of Co Monaghan, located close to the
border with Co Fermanagh.
Clones has a number
of buildings and sites of historical interest. The Diamond in
the centre of the town is dominated by the Church of Ireland and an
early 9th century High Cross. Other notable buildings include the
Presbyterian Church, and the ruins of John Wesley's Methodist
Church.
Dating back to even
earlier times, the remnants of a motte and bailey fort can
still be seen. Nearby, a 12th century monastery, known locally as
the 'wee abbey' has the unusual feature of a Celtic Cross sculpted
in relief on the Northern Wall. All of these heritage sites and many
others are featured in the Clones Heritage Trail which is well
signposted throughout the town.
The Ulster Canal Store is a community enterprise providing
tourist information, a permanent exhibition of Clones lace and a
coffee shop.
The Clones Golf Club is located 5km south of the town. This
18-hole parkland course is set amidst Hilton Park's old demesne with
spectacular countryside views. The adjacent Hilton Park Victorian
Gardens provide beautiful walks beside herbaceous borders, herb
gardens, yew hedges and a lakeside summerhouse.
The renowned Irish author Patrick McCabe was born in Clones.
His novel The Butcher Boy is set in a thinly-disguised version of
Clones. Parts of Neil Jordan's 1997 film adaptation of the book were
filmed in the town. McCabe is honorary patron of the Clones Film
Festival, which takes place annually on the October bank holiday
weekend.
Another annual event
is The Flat Lake Festival hosted by Kevin Allen in Hilton
Park outside Clones. Readings, comedy, music and theatre takes place
within the farm estate among the barns and bales of hay, abandoned
tractors and ancient oaks of Hilton Park. The festival normally
takes place over a weekend in mid August.
Clones is surrounded by up to sixty lakes within a 10km
radius. It is part of the Erne Catchment which is potentially one of
the great fisheries of Europe.Coarse angling near Clones is
available on the River Finn, Lisabuck Lake, Horseshoe (Kilroosky)
Lake, Summershipl Lake, Tinahinch Lake, Gortawinney Lake and Munilly
(Cloncallig) Lake. |
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Clones Holiday Homes - County Monaghan, Ireland