Vacation Guide

Ireland golf vacation guide : To do and see

CAVAN

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.

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 – 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.