Local Attractions

Kilmore Cathedral
The first church was built at Kilmore, 3 miles west of Cavan Town, in the 6th or 7th centuries by St Felim or Feidhlimidh. In 1454 the church became the cathedral of the local diocese, which took on the name Kilmore. Work on the present cathedral began in 1858 and St. Fethlimids's Cathedral was consecrated in1860. It was designed by the English architect William Slater. The 12th century romanesque doorway in St Feidhlimh's Cathedral is its finest feature and is an example of architecture from the Middle Ages.The Door was removed from its original location on nearby Trinity Island in Lough Oughter, and incorporated in the modern Church of Ireland and was built into the outside wall of the Vestry Door. The Cathedral is built in the middle pointed gothic style. The Cathedral's most colourful points are the stain glass windows. There is a holy well dedicated to St Fethlimidh in the grounds, and once a site of popular religious devotion. Kilmore is also the site of a well preserved medieval Motte and Bailey. Walter de Lacy constructed the motte and bailey in 1211 as part of a chain to control and contain the north for the Normans. Cathal O’Reilly dismantled the fort in 1224. It was rebuilt and today there remains an excellent example of a motte and bailey. The cemetery contains the tomb of Bishop William Bedell (1571-1642) who completed the work of translating the Bible into Irish. http://cavan.local.ie/content/348.shtml/history/historical_people/religious_leaders Today the Bishop is Mr. Kenneth Herbert Clarke. Read more about the Diocese @ http://www.ireland.anglican.org/dioceses/kilmore/kilmore.html
Killykeen Forest Park
Killykeen Forest Park is situated twelve kilometres from Cavan Town. It is owned and maintained by Coillte. It has many nature trails, a swimming area, an Equestrian Centre and a restaurant. Many tourists stay in the wooden chalets in the park as they are ideal for a peaceful holiday or a base to tour The Lake Country. One can enjoy Cavan's most scenic lake Lough Oughter. Here the Lough joins Upper Lough Erne.The 13th century tower of lough Oughter Castle is also on the Lough.Clough Oughter Castle is sited on an island in the middle of a lake. It was built by the Anglo-Normans in the early 13th century when they tried to conquer the Cavan area. It was soon captured by the O'Reilly family, the Irish rulers of east Breifne, who used it as a prison for the rest of the Middle Ages. Owen Roe O'Neill, leader of the anti-English revolt of the 1640s, died here in November 1649. Many small wooded islands are dotted around the lake. Some of these are crannogs. Crannogs were habitation sites constructed on small natural or man-made islands, in lakes, rivers, or swamps.
Shantemon
Castletara has been the a place of worship for over 4000 years.The origional site of worship was the Finger Stones on Shantemon Mountain so called because the five standing stones resemble a gigantic hand. The middle finger is over 6ft in height and weighs approximately four tons and the rest are in proportion.Here the Celts celebrated the great feasts such as Lunasa and Samhain. It was also the inauguration place of the O'Reilly Chiefs of Breifne. Finn McCool's Fingers' a row of pillar stones mark the place.
Cavan Crystal
Cavan Crystal was founded in the 1960's. It has changed hands on numerous occasions but is currently owned by the McKenna Family who have begun a two year plan to develop it. Crystal is no longer blown on the premises but it is cut there. http://www.cavantourism.com/
Cavan County Museum
Cavan County Museum was established in 1996 in Ballyjamesduff by Cavan County Council to collect, conserve, document and display all aspects of the culture, history and traditions of County Cavan in an informative and entertaining manner to promote an awareness of Cavan’s rich heritage. W. Percy French(1856-1920)A native of Cloonyquinn, Co. Roscommon. He was an engineer, but his real love was song-writing. He lived for five years in Cavan town (1883-88). He was inspired to write one of his most famous songs, 'Come back Paddy Reilly to Ballyjamesduff'. He wrote over a hundred songs, including 'Phil the Fluter's Ball', 'The Mountains of Mourne' and 'Are ya right there Michael?' He met his first wife Etty while working in Cavan.