Ballyconnell – famous for it’s
7th century monastery of Tomregon, a centre of healing and learning,
today the town is better known as forming part of the Ballinamore
- Ballyconnell canal extension. A famous carving now placed against
the wall of the local church, depicts St. Bricín, a 7th
centre surgeon performing an operation.
Ballyhaise House – situated
in the village of Ballyhaise along the Analee River, the house
was designed by Richard Cassel and features a curved bay window,
Ireland’s first oval room and innovative steel shutters.
It is now an agricultural college but worth a visit to see its
unusual features.
Sheila na Gig, County Museum
Ballyjamesduff Village – made
famous by the Percy French song, " Come Back, Paddy Reilly,
to Ballyjamesduff", the town now houses the new Cavan County
Museum, which exhibits some pre-historic stone pieces and a dug-out
canoe from the 9th century.
Cavan Town – a vibrant market
town and commercial centre, Cavan was in ancient times the seat
of the rulers of east Breffni, the O’Reilly clan. Of the
Franciscan Friary founded here in 1300, only the belfry tower
remains.
Cootehill – a small town located
northeast of Cavan town and named after the Cootes family who
settled in the area in the 17th century. Charles Coote was regarded
as one of Cromwell’s most ruthless deputies, while Richard
Coote later became governor of New York and Massachusetts.
Killykeen Forest Park – set
around the lake and islands of Lough Oughter, a series or marked
trails, which are flanked by Norwegian spruce, ash, oak, birch,
beech and alder trees, offer some fine walks, while the area is
an excellent spot for fishing.
Lough Oughter Castle
Lough Oughter Castle – this 12th
century Anglo-Norman fortress surrounded by water and standing
on a lake island, has recently been restored. The Ulster Confederate
hero, Owen Roe O’Neill is reputed to have lived here for
a time, while the garrison of the castle was the last in Ireland
to surrender to Cromwellian forces in 1653, thereby ending a twelve-year
war.
St. Mary’s Church – located
in Kingscourt, the church contains some of the best stained-glass
windows in Ireland. These are by Evie Hone, who worked with famous
French abstract artists at the beginning of the century. The windows
depict important events in the lives of Christ and the Virgin
Mary.
Well of St. Cillian – located
at Mullagh, the 7th century well serves as a reminder that even
saints can arouse murderous desires. The wife of the Duke of Wurzburg,
who, fearing that her newly converted husband was about to throw
her out for the allurements of Hibernian-style religion, directed
her anger at the saint, assassinated the missionary.
