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Recommended Monaghan Attractions
Kings Forge Glass
An art glass studio, located in a renovated old blacksmith’s forge, on a very scenic hilltop 10 minutes’ drive from Castleblayney. More here.
Concra Wood Golf and Country Club
An 18-hole championship standard golf course designed by Christy O’Connor Junior & Christy O’Connor Senior playable all year round. Find out more here.
Iontas Arts and Community Resource Centre
Íontas Castleblayney is a one-stop-shop centre of excellence that celebrates the ever-evolving world of artistic expression. Learn more.
Castleblayney Outdoor Adventure Centre
Take part in sailing, paddle boarding or other fun activities in the beautiful surrounds of Muckno Lake and wooded parklands. Get details.
GR8 Entertainment
Entertainment for all in the North-East including 10 Pin Bowling, 10,000 sq. ft soft-play area. golf simulators, gaming areas, arcades and more. Learn more.
Mourne Shooting Grounds
In the Lough Egish area of County Monaghan, the grounds is open to all ages and caters for novice to professional. Get further details.
St. Daig’s Monastery and Round Tower
The remains of St Daig’s monastery at Inniskeen are to be found in the church cemetery in this stunning monastery referenced as far back as 685. More information.
Brehon Brewhouse
Creates distinct hand-crafted beers in their small brewery housed on the farm set amongst the rolling drumlins of County Monaghan. Learn more.
Carrickmacross Lace Gallery
First established in the 1820’s, here one can view and buy this famous Carrickmacross Lace. Demonstrations on request. Get more info.
The Collective at Market Square
Built in 1861 by the Bath Estate Collective, The Collective at Market Square is a wonderful art and craft gallery situated in Market House. Carrickmacross. More here.
The Workhouse, Carrickmacross
Built in 1841 to house the poor, Carrickmacross Workhouse is now restored to a Community Resource, Training and Heritage Centre with original children’s Dormitory and mass famine graves. More info here.
Trace your Monaghan roots here.
St Peter’s Tin Church, Laragh
St. Peter’s Tin Church, Laragh, is literally built on rock in a beautiful woodland setting among the ferns and ivy. Constructed of tin, it is one of a kind with its Swiss Gothic architecture, quirky design and carefully considered features. Enjoy the peace and quiet in the picturesque village of Laragh in Co. Monaghan. Learn more.
Ballybay Wetlands and Boardwalk
This is located just outside the town of Ballybay, on the Clones Road. There are a number of scenic walks through the 65 acres of wetlands which are recognised as being regionally important as a site for wintering migratory bird life including the Whooping Swan and the Siberian Widgeon. The centre is also a year-round refuge for a wide spectrum of waterfowl and wildlife. More here.
Casandra Hand Heritage Centre
The Cassandra Hand Folk & Famine Centre is in the old Round Tower School situated in the historic town of Clones, Co. Monaghan, and was built in 1859 by Cassandra Hand with proceeds from Clones Lace. Learn more.
Clones Lace at Ulster Canal Stores
The beautifully-restored Ulster Canal Stores is a traditional-cut stone building located on the edge of Clones town, on the N54 Cavan Road, with excellent road links with Northern Ireland. Clones’ lacemaking was first introduced in the 1850’s and at one stage there were 1,500 lace-makers in the area. More info.
The PEACE Link
The PEACE Link is an iconic state of the art sporting facility on the edge of Clones, Co. Monaghan. The facility is at the heart of a movement to build better relationships between people in the Clones (Co. Monaghan) /Erne East (Co. Fermanagh) area, using sport as the medium. The PEACE Link facilities include a 400m tartan running track with field facilities, an in-field soccer sized grass pitch, a 3G multi-purpose playing pitch (of full GAA size and to a spec that will accommodate GAA, rugby and soccer), outdoor multi-use games area, a sports centre with accommodation for indoor sports such as bowling, karate, archery, badminton, soccer, basketball, boccia and many more; changing facilities, a state of the art gym and other functional complementary facilities.
The PEACE link has something for everyone in the community, from little soccer stars for 4–9-year-olds to senior fitness for the over 55’s. Our commitment at The PEACE Link is to provide a sporting facility that our customers can regard as their own! Here, ongoing support, encouragement and friendliness will help people achieve their goals in a great club atmosphere. Learn More.
The High Cross at Clones
The round tower here is 75 feet with square headed doors and windows. Nearby is a shrine known as ‘St Tiernach’s Shrine’, which is carved out of stone. The High Cross is in two parts which did not belong together originally. One side depicts the sacrifice of Isaac, Daniel in the lions’ den and Adam and Eve. The opposite side features the multiplication of the loaves and fishes, the wedding feast at Cana and the adoration of the Magi. The other sides are decorated with geometric symbols. The cross is believed to originate from the 9th century. Learn more.
Clones Motte and Bailey
Clones Motte and Bailey was constructed in 1212AD. The site comprises a conical mound with a series of terraces and is surrounded by a ditch at the base. These mounds afforded security from enemies and wild animals and also to prevent lowlands flooding. It is likely that a wooden tower once stood on top of the mound. The Normans built the motte and bailey fort here with the intention of establishing a garrison both in Clones and at the far end of the Erne at Belleek in order to curtail the activities of the Ulster clans. However, the structure was attacked by the Irish chieftains after only one year and burned down. More info. (link to https://monaghantourism.com/listing/clones-motte-bailey/)
Dromore River Guided Tours
Canoeing tours take about 3hrs and start from Erica’s Fairy Forest, finishing at Halton’s Park in Cootehill. The first half follows the Dromore river as it meanders through the drumlins along the Cavan/Monaghan border. The second half of the trip is down through Dromore Lough with the forested estates of Bellamont and Dartry on either side.
Bring along a picnic and take an opportunity to stop off halfway and enjoy the riverside views. The canoes are rafted together for safety and cannot tip over. This is a relaxing trip and a chance to view the very best scenery in the Cavan/Monaghan area only accessible by boat. Learn more.
Lipton’s Shop
Lipton’s 5000 sq ft. family run shop in the heart of Clones town. offers you over 1600 sq. feet of smiles, craic and shopping. With onsite parking, it’s filled to the brim with thousands of unique, exciting and practical value lines in toys, gifts, hardware, stationery, cleaning, and lots more.. Find out more.
Billy Fox Memorial Park
Senator Billy Fox Memorial Park covers an area of approximately 6.3 hectares and is in Bawn, Co. Monaghan on the Cavan/Monaghan border. The park consists mainly of old broadleaf woodland and a few open areas of lawn ideal for a picnic. Learn more here.
Rossmore Forest Park, Playpark and Giants
Rossmore Forest Park boasts a new adventure playpark which is suitable for children up to 12 years of age. There is a variety of play equipment in the park including swings, zip lines, climbing frames and see-saws. A wonderful children’s playpark and a giant sculpture are some of the newest park additions.
A special feature of the park is the rhododendron and azalea display, which is at its colourful best in early summer. Rhododendron was introduced into Europe from Asia Minor in 1763 for its attractive flowering display and for the shelter it offered to game birds.
Many of the original estate trees still remain, notably Scots pine, cedars and a monkey puzzle. The main avenue to the car park displays several large Sierra or giant redwoods while an avenue of yew trees runs a full 460 metres from the walled garden to the mausoleum in the graveyard.
Mammals in the park include otters, badger, fox, hedgehog and pigmy shrew. Five of Ireland’s seven species of bat are to be found in the locality. There is a large residential population of birds and migrants such as wildfowl increase this collection in winter, and warblers, swallows, cuckoo and flycatchers in summer. The park also displays interesting communities of plants, and the lake and rivers encourage a great variety of insect life.
Examples of a wedge tomb and a court tomb dating back to about 3000 – 1800 BC can also be found in the park, and a gold ‘lunula’ or collar, dating from 1800 BC was discovered around 1930 and is on display in the National Museum, Dublin. Learn more.
The Emy Lough Walkway
This 4km looped walk around the picturesque Emy Lough is suitable for all levels of fitness and takes around 1 – 1.5 hours to complete. The walk uses minor roadways and a lakeshore path. The trailhead is at a car park and there is a picnic area nearby. Additional amenities include newly developed swimming and beach/play area for children. Get more details.
Errigal Truagh Medieval Church and Graveyard
This most ancient of religious sites in Ulster, it is believed to have been used for worship as far back as Early Christian times. Its medieval graveyard is renowned for its distinctively carved 18th century headstones.
Visitors can also see a holy well that attracted generations of pilgrims until the 19th century. The church is dedicated to Saint Mellan or Muadan. The graveyard has one of the most important collections of decorated headstones in Ireland. The headstones are carved in a distinctive South Ulster style. Many of the headstones feature the five mortality symbols – skulls, long bones, coffins, bells and hourglasses.
Directions to Errigal Truagh Medieval Church and Graveyard
After leaving Emyvale, take the third road on the left past the picnic site heading for Clara, continue along this road for about a mile, church and graveyard are on the left at the T-junction. Further info here.
Mullan Village
The picturesque 19th century mill village of Mullan is one of the few well-preserved examples of early rural industrial development in existence in Ireland. Mullan derives its name from the Irish muileann meaning ‘mill’. The village contained a substantial flax mill and was at the centre of the linen industry in the 18th and early 19th century. Later, Mullan became known for the manufacture of Bullock Irish Serge. In the early part of the 20th century the mill fell into disuse and the village lay idle until a shoe factory was established in 1924. The village was purchased by the Boylan family in 1944 and remained a busy and bustling rural centre until the late 1970s. More info here.
Drumlin Trails Bike Hire
Drumlin Trails is a bike hire business where visitors can drop by, rent a bike for a day or a week and return it after their experience. Drumlin Trails offers a variety of interesting trails on which to travel, taking in most of what is fascinating in the north of Monaghan and surrounding counties. They have an extensive fleet of bikes for hire with the inclusion of ten new top-of-the-range e-bikes. These electric bikes give you a gentle assistance to help on some of the many little drumlins in the area, which makes it more enjoyable and easier to travel longer distances. It’s located at McQuaid’s Fuel Station between the villages of Glaslough and Emyvale in North County Monaghan. Find out more.
Mullaghmore Equestrian Centre
Mullaghmore Equestrian Centre is located at Mullaghmore, Tydavnet, Co. Monaghan, only 10 minutes from Monaghan town. The centre is run by the McCarra family who have been involved in all aspects of the horse industry for years. We provide horse-riding lessons throughout the week from beginners to advanced levels, livery, horse-riding experiences for birthday parties, hen and stag parties. Get more info.
Slieve Beagh Hotel and Tourism Centre
Steeped in local myth and legend, the Sliabh Beagh Way meanders through the valleys of Co Tyrone, the drumlins of Co. Monaghan and the lake lands of Co Fermanagh. Learn more.
Bragan Penal Cross
This is a lovely area to ride, drive and walk. Blanket bog covers low mountain hills and is a haven for indigenous wildlife. It is a very peaceful area with stunning long views. There are maintained picnic tables en route. It is an area well worth a diversion from the main road. Learn more.
Rally School Ireland and Road Safety School
Starting solely as a rally school, RSI has branched out into drifting, supercar experiences and winter driver training and has built long-standing relationships with respected brands such as Pirelli, Subaru and Total. Home of Rally Driving Experiences and the Rally School for aspiring drivers, from first timers to professionals, teenagers to the seasoned citizens of the world. Find out more.
The Garage Theatre
The Garage Theatre is located on Armagh Road outside Monaghan Town within the grounds of the Monaghan Education Campus. The Theatre takes name from a reference in Pat McCabe’s book, The Butcher Boy – Francie’s mother has a breakdown, and he says she has gone into the Garage to get her axil fixed. (The theatre was previously located in a disused ward in St Davnet’s Psychiatric Hospital). Learn more.
Busy Bee Ceramics
A pottery studio where you can learn all about how pottery is made, and you can have a go on the potter’s wheel or decorate your own mug, bowl or plate. A fun day out! Shop online. (link to www.busybeeceramics.ie/shop)
Glaslough Alpacas
Glaslough Alpacas is situated in the rolling drumlins of County Monaghan, near the picturesque village of Glaslough and only a few miles from Monaghan Town. It is managed and cared for by Janet Morrison and Annabel Magee, who are delighted to welcome visitors to see their lovable and distinctive alpacas. More details here.
Glaslough Chocolates
The Glaslough Chocolate Company is located right in the quaint and beautiful historic village of Glaslough and was established by chocolatier Trish Murphy-Thom. These chocolates are handmade in small batches using the best quality Belgian chocolate and the finest local cream and quality ingredients. Only natural flavours and ingredients! Learn more.
Coral Leisure Monaghan
Monaghan Leisure Complex was built and is maintained by both Monaghan County Council and Monaghan Town Council. The complex is operated and managed by Coral Leisure. Facilities include a fully equipped gym with a wide range of cardiovascular and resistance equipment as well as a superb selection of free weights. Add to this the superb wet facilities comprising a 6-lane, 25-metre swimming pool, separate kiddies pool with three water features, 25-metre flume, sauna, steam room and jacuzzi and you are guaranteed the complete package. Learn more.
Monaghan County Museum at The Peace Campus
Monaghan County Museum opened its doors to the public in 1974, becoming the first full time professionally staffed local authority museum in the country. Its continued commitment to providing a quality service has been rewarded on many occasions. Its relocation to the newly built Peace Campus in Monaghan is a testament to its importance as the keeper of our heritage in this borderland. It is home to the historic archive of Project Children, an initiative that began in the early 1970’s by three Irish American brothers, to bring children on holiday to America for a summer respite from the anger and violence of The Troubles in Northern Ireland. Project Children was instrumental in the development of the Peace Process that led to the historic Good Friday Agreement. Learn more.
Masterapiece
Masterapiece Step By Step painting sessions can teach anyone to paint in just one session. It’s fun, relaxing and a great way to meet new people while trying something new. Weekly workshops will be popping up around County Monaghan, step-by-step sessions, blind painting, children’s art parties, corporate events, one-on-one special needs sessions and much more. Book Masterapiece for your hen parties, corporate events and special occasions. For more info email masterapiecewithsara@gmail.com
Traditional Irish Music in Co. Monaghan
Many traditional music sessions and events can be found right across county Monaghan. There are numerous branches of the Comhaltas Ceoltóirí Eireann active in county Monaghan promoting the preservation of Irish music, song, dance and language by organising Irish cultural concerts and events, running trad music sessions and classes for those interested in Irish music, and by partnering with other Irish cultural agencies, such as Muineachán le Gaeilge, to host pop up Gaeltacht’s and recreational events to encourage the use of the language socially. See more.
