Vacation Guide

Ireland golf vacation guide : To do and see

MONAGHAN

Castle Leslie – lying north of Monaghan near the village of Glaslough is the home of Sir Shane Leslie. The house is filled with art treasures and in its present form, dates back to 1878. Also known as Glaslough House, it has been occupied by descendents of the Scottish scholar and bishop, John Leslie, since he took over the mansion in 1665. An historical tour of the house covers the history of the family and provides access to many fascinating antiques.

Clones High Cross – situated in the market town of Clones, this cross dates back to the 10th century and has sculpted scenes from the Old Testament on one side and from the New Testament on the other. An early round tower and 12th century stone sarcophagus can also been seen here.

Lough Muckno Leisure Park – located just outside Castleblayney Town, this 900-acre park, set around a beautiful lake, offers beautiful woodland walks and the opportunity to enjoy a range of sports from angling and trekking to canoeing and water-skiing.

Monaghan County Museum – located in the town of Monaghan, the county museum houses the 15th century Cross of Clogher, along with a permanent collection of archaeological exhibits and mediaeval artifacts, as well as more recent local crafts, paintings and prints from the 18th century onwards.

Old Cross Square – situated in Monaghan Town, Old Cross Square contains a Presbyterian Church built in 1903, a sundial and the home of Charles Gavin Duffy, founder of the Irish Tenant League and co-founder with Thomas Davis of the "Nation" republican newspaper. Duffy eventually immigrated to Australia and became Prime Minister of Victoria in 1871.

Patrick Kavanagh Rural and Literary Resource Centre – situated in Iniskeen village, five miles from Carrickmacross, the centre was created in honour of Patrick Kavanagh, the legendary Irish poet. The centre is situated in the historic St. Mary’s Church, next to the cemetery where Kavanagh is buried.

Rossmore Forest Park – situated just over two miles from Monaghan on the road to Newbliss, an 18th century linen village, Rossmore Forest Park is a low-lying beauty spot with small lakes and numerous woodland walks.

St. Joseph’s Church – situated in Carrickmacross, a thriving market town with an excellent reputation for its hand-worked lace, this church was built between 1861 and 1897 and contains no less than ten impressive Harry Clarke stained-glass windows.


St. Louis Covent Heritage Centre – situated by a lake close to Monaghan Town, the heritage centre in this convent provides information on the history of the religious order throughout the world and is well worth a visit.

St. Macartan’s Cathedral – located high on a hill outside the town of Monaghan, this impressive hard gray limestone cathedral was built between 1861 and 1892 in the French Gothic style. Following the Second Vatican Council, three tapestries evoking different scenes in the life of St. Mac Cáirthinn were placed on the east wall of the building.